I am a Jedi.... like Mark Hamill before me!

Star Wars Celebrations are a good time to see multiple people dressed as the same character and different costumes of the same character.  At Star Wars Celebration VI, there was to be a “Stages of Luke Skywalker” photo shoot.  As a Luke costumer, I was excited for this photo shoot with other Luke costumers.  Fellow Great Lakes Base member Chris “Lumpy” Blackstock (Dark Empire Luke) took charge of the shoot. 

photos courtesy of BrianKenobi

There were total of eleven members of The Rebel Legion taking part in the photo op located in front of one of the “Celebration” banners.  The costumes represent were: ANH deleted scenes farmboy, farm boy, blast shield, ceremonial, two Bespin Lukes (one later took the coat off for the Dagobah style), Jabba’s palace, Endor, Death Star duel, Death Star duel post duel (grey flat), and Dark Empire.  We even had a “mini me” Luke with us.  Our group drew a crowd of people for pictures.  One fan brought his toddler -- dressed as Luke -- to join us for a few pictures.  Later, a girl dressed as Mara Jade also got a picture with our group; sort like “The Bachelorette” Star Wars style. 

"You can waste time with your friends
when your chores are done!"

After our photo shoot was done, Chris said that we should “invade uncle Mark,” so we started walking back to his autograph booth.  The crowd on the floor was commenting on seeing eleven "Luke-a-likes" (as we became known) walking together; it was quite the scene.  Along the way, we stopped at the Tatooine set to take some more pictures.

When we got to Marks autograph booth, none of us expected to get an audience with him.  We talked with the Official Pix guy, and were told “no” a few times.  Then, we were told that Mark would be going from his autograph booth to the photo booth in a little under two hours and that maybe we could catch him there?  We still persisted to get a picture with him.  Later, the Official Pix guy came by and said “wait one minute” and went behind the curtain.  We looked to each other as if to say, “is this going to happen?”  He came back after about 30 seconds and the said, “if you guys walk back behind the curtain area, Mark will be out in a minute.”  Was this actually going to happen?

Mark Hamill and the "Luke-a-likes"

 We walked behind the curtain area and got in a semi circle in chronological order like we did for our photo shoot.  A few minutes later, Mark Hamill walked in.  He saw us and said, “you guys are all me,” with this big smile on his face!  He joined us at the center of our group and pretty soon everyone was taking pictures.  The Luke-a-like who carried the blast shield helmet from ANH handed it to Mark and he tried it on.  Mark was having a ball!  Then, the Luke-a-like with the binoculars handed them to Mark, who looked through them and maybe made a funny comment.  Everyone was having a great time!

After all the pictures were taken, Mark shook each of our hands and said, “This is awesome guys!”  He thanked us for stopping by and asking to get a photo with him.  It was tough to see who was happier, the Luke-a-likes or Luke Skywalker himself?