Editor’s Note: The following contains spoilers for For All Mankind Season 5, Episode 3.

As For All Mankind progresses, the one question on everyone’s mind is: just how old can the show make Joel Kinnaman this season? Since the beginning, Kinnaman’s Ed Baldwin has been a major protagonist for the alternate history series, even as the cast expanded, and the series spotlighted a larger ensemble. Many characters have come and gone in humanity’s journey to the Moon and beyond, but Ed’s always been around, usually ending up at the center of every season’s conflict. Now, however, For All Mankind has finally reached the end of Ed’s journey.

In Episode 3, “Home,” Ed’s health has taken a sharp decline after helping Lee Jung-Gil (C.S. Lee) escape Happy Valley to avoid being sent back to North Korea for a crime he didn’t commit. At the beginning of the season, Dima (Goran Ivanovski) reveals Ed’s cancer diagnosis and advises him not to pilot any aircraft — but, without other options to save Lee, Ed pilots the hopper and gets Lee to safety, only to end up unconscious by the time that Peacekeeper Celia Boyd (Mireille Enos) arrives to arrest him. “Home” follows Ed’s final days as he reconnects with his grandson, Alex (Sean Kaufman), after their argument in “The Hard Six.” Kinnaman’s final episode is also packed to the brim with emotion as Ed lies on his deathbed, flashing back to a younger version of the character fighting in the Korean War, bringing back Michael Dorman and Shantel VanSanten for his final scene, and delivering a heartfelt goodbye for the Baldwin family via a drink at Ilya’s (Dimiter Marinov) bar.

Before Kinnaman’s final episode aired, Collider spoke with the actor about his emotional journey on the Apple TV series. “As his values somewhat evolved, it actually put [Ed] on a collision course with the establishment, so he started getting more and more like ‘fuck you’ to the man,” he says happily, throwing up two middle fingers for emphasis. Season 5 also offered the actor a brief reunion with his The Killing co-star Mireille Enos, and Kinnaman reveals which hilarious Easter egg ended up on the cutting room floor. In terms of answering the question that’s most prominently on fans’ minds after “Home,” he also discusses whether or not he would ever return in some form or another by the sixth and final season.

Joel Kinnaman Reflects on ‘For All Mankind’s Farewell to Ed Baldwin

“They were able to create this grand vision, but still be so close to the characters and have such respect for these characters.”

Image via Apple TV

COLLIDER: I just rewatched Episode 3, your last episode, last night. It was such a fantastic piece, and I want to congratulate you on doing such a great job in the show.

JOEL KINNAMAN: Thank you so much. This has been the most emotional experience of my career, like confusingly emotional for me. When we were shooting this last episode, I was a total mess. I was crying every day. I’m still trying to figure out exactly what was going on inside of me, because as actors, we do this all the time. We create these little short-term families where we fall in love, and then we say goodbye. Sometimes you’ve been doing it for several years, and it’s a little bit harder to say goodbye, but nothing came even close to this. I’ve been trying to unpack, like, why did I get so emotional about this?

There’s this sort of existential aspect of playing a character in all these different ages and spending months contemplating what life will be like in these different ages, and putting my own mortality at the forefront of it. Also, playing 82, that’s the same age that my dad is, and then having the scene on his deathbed and saying goodbye to my child and grandchild, it just puts the inevitability of life right in front of your eyes.

But then I also think that there’s something else, too, and it’s just the story. I love getting to be part of telling this story. I really love getting to tell this story. There’s an ethos behind this show of this optimism that it’s carrying, and I just felt so honored to be part of it. It just resonated so much with me. They were able to create this grand vision, but still be so close to the characters and have such respect for these characters. It just really, really meant a lot to me.

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The creators talk “bloodthirsty” character deaths, the upcoming and final season, and what fans can expect from the spin-off.

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And then they just wrecked me with the flashback scenes with Michael Dorman and Shantel [VanSanten]. Seeing Michael… because me and him playing Gordo, we played best friends on the show, but then we became really close friends. I love Michael. Michael’s an amazing guy. He’s got the biggest heart of anyone I’ve ever met. He’s got this big, bleeding heart that just gets him in a lot of trouble. Just seeing him standing there with the wry smile, laughing, I just started crying again. It was like a cry fest. The whole thing was just a fucking cry fest.

I was crying, too, to be fair. It was an emotionally shared experience.

KINNAMAN: It’s very rare to get to play and to see a character so detailed over the course of a whole life, because it’s just such a unique concept in that way. Usually, that aging process happens in the epilogue scene at the end of a movie, but you don’t really attach yourself to all the different ages. I’m sure for people who are watching the show, too, they get to go on that journey, as well.

For me, it’s like I’m going to watch this show as a fan now, and I’ve never had that. None of the shows that I’ve been in that have carried on without me, I’ve actually never watched an episode past the point of my own death. I just haven’t really been interested. But this one is different. I asked them not to send me any scripts past Episode 3, and I didn’t want any links to the episodes. I’m just watching this show as a fan.

So I know more than you do at this point!

KINNAMAN: Yeah, I haven’t seen Episode 3.

Oh my god! Well, it’s going to wreck you.

Joel Kinnaman Discusses How Ed’s Character Has Changed on ‘For All Mankind’

“It’s basically me entertaining myself, but then that becomes character traits that they pick up on, and it’s been really fun.”

Image via Apple TV+

Ed’s character, I love him, and I hate him. Sometimes he’s so aggravating, I just want to be like, “You are such an old man!” But it’s really interesting to see how you’ve played him throughout each decade in every season. What are some key traits that you wanted to hold on to even as Ed aged with each season passing by?

KINNAMAN: Ed’s sense of humor has evolved. He became funnier and funnier the crankier he got. Also, Ed’s moral center over the course of his life put him more and more against the establishment. In the beginning, he was sort of a rebel, but within the establishment. Then, as his values somewhat evolved, it actually put him on a collision course with the establishment, so he started getting more and more like “fuck you” to the man.

I did love it in the first episode when he puts his little ankle monitor right over just to set the alarm off. That was such an old man move, and then to just walk away.

KINNAMAN: [Laughs] I love that, too. My sense of humor, when I fall in love with a character, and especially with this kind of character, like Ed, where I feel like there are so many possibilities, I find myself messing around and teasing my co-stars, a little bit in character, a little bit just me, and so my sense of humor starts to seep into it.

Then the collaboration with the writers on the show has been really, really beautiful, so they’ve been really quick at picking up my little quirks and improvisations, and then incorporating them into the character. I haven’t been, like, coming to them and saying, “Hey, I think Ed should be more and more like this.” Things happen, and improvisations that make me have a good time on set. It’s basically me entertaining myself, but then that becomes character traits that they pick up on, and it’s been really fun.

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The creators say the show was never meant to run forever.

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Joel Kinnaman Discusses His Brief Reunion With ‘The Killing’s Mireille Enos

“She’s literally one of the best in the world.”

Image via Apple TV

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One thing that I really love this season is that they brought in Mireille Enos. First of all, I love The Killing. That’s one of my favorite shows of all time, and I love that you guys were both in Hanna. What was it like working with her again and having a little bit of a reunion?

KINNAMAN: We just have that one moment, but I’m sort of unconscious. But I did mutter out, I don’t know if it was caught on camera, but I was like, in Ed’s voice, “What’s up, Linden?” I had to get it out there. For us, Matt [Wolpert] and Ben [Nedivi] were like, “We’re thinking of going to Mireille. Do you think there’s any chance that she would do it?” I was like, “Well, we are shooting in LA, so that’s a big plus.” So, I was just so thrilled for the show’s sake that we got her.

Her character goes on a wild journey. You’re going to enjoy it.

KINNAMAN: I can already feel it. She’s so good. She’s literally one of the best in the world. She’s one of the best actors in the world.

Joel Kinnaman Reveals Why ‘For All Mankind’ Decided To Kill Ed So Early in Season 5

“People didn’t even believe it was a sci-fi show after Season 1.”

Image via Apple TV

How early on did you know that Ed was going to die in this season? Have you known for seasons, or was it like this season they were like, “Hey, by the way, only three episodes for you?”

KINNAMAN: When I met Matt, Ben, and Ron [Moore] in 2018, they sort of laid out the five-season vision for the show, and it’s remarkable how much of that actually is intact in the actual show. It was so frustrating when I was promoting and talking about the show after Season 1, and even after Season 2. I’m like, “It’s not just Mad Men at NASA.” People didn’t even believe it was a sci-fi show after Season 1. That’s how grounded and patient this show is. It wasn’t until Season 3 that you really feel like, “Okay, this is sci-fi.” For me, it was always a five-season vision. I knew with this show we would never try to, like, “Oh, and then they found some youth elixir on Helios, on Titan 5, so now Ed’s 60 again!” It’s not that show.

Then they brought me into the conversation that they were having in the room about how they didn’t want to start a new season without Ed, so that’s why they didn’t want Ed to die in the finale. They wanted to surprise the audience, but then also give it a little more runway to pass the baton. Because even though it’s always been an ensemble show, Ed has a sort of central part of the show, and of course, that will leave a bit of a vacuum and an empty space that you want to fill. I think they wanted to fill it in the same season. So, I thought it was a really cool way to do it, and I was so happy with the three episodes that I got to play.

Joel Kinnaman Talks Passing the Baton to His Onscreen Grandson Sean Kaufman on ‘For All Mankind’

“He put his own stink on the character and on what he was doing…”

I think Ed’s presence is very much felt in the rest of the season. I know you haven’t seen the episodes, but his legacy lives on in his daughter and his grandson. They kind of adopt Ed’s cavalier, cowboy-esque approach to life.

KINNAMAN: Awesome! I can’t wait to see it. I can’t wait.

What was it like working with Sean Kaufman and having him play this older version of Ed’s grandson and having him be an adult now instead of working with a child?

KINNAMAN: I love the kid. He just came in with the perfect attitude, in my opinion. He came in and created enough space for himself to his own thing. He put his own stink on the character and on what he was doing, but he was also really warm and respectful, and I just thought he was really talented and very present. He was really there.

Now, I saw the first two episodes he was in, and I thought, “Oh, this kid is fucking excellent!” He’s really a great young actor. But I really liked him as a person, so that makes it extra fun to see when someone is really delivering. He’s going to be able to carry it. It’s always an ensemble show, so it’s great in that way. It’s not about one person carrying it all the way. It’s spread across many characters, but he’s going to be great.

‘For All Mankind’s Korean War Flashback Has Been Four Years in the Making, Kinnaman Reveals

“The Korea episode has been a theme for about four years between me and the writers.”

Image via Apple TV+

In this episode, you also have flashback scenes to when Ed was when he was in Korea. How was it playing out those scenes, knowing it was a dream sequence and also a flashback?

KINNAMAN: The Korea episode has been a theme for about four years between me and the writers. They started teasing this Korea episode, this flashback episode. It was always going to be where there was this standalone flashback episode, and they tried to get it in Season 3, they tried to get it in Season 4, and it was in and then out, and then in and out. Ultimately, it just became this darling that they kept having to kill, so it was always a little bit of a bummer. Especially when we got more and more into prosthetics, I was like, “Let’s get the Korea episode where I don’t have to put makeup on!” [Laughs]

But I was so happy when they found the spot for it to tell that story. Of course, we get a hint of Ed, and there are things that he wasn’t quite honest with himself about, and the guilt and shame that he felt. Of course, that continues on.

‘For All Mankind’ Has Perfected the Aging Process for Ed Baldwin

“The fourth season, I was in the chair for between five and six hours.”

Image via Apple TV

You just mentioned the prosthetics. I want to know how much longer the process has taken over every season because the prosthetics are fantastic in this, to the point where I forget that you’re not an 80-year-old man sometimes. But I can imagine that process is a lot because it’s all the way down to your neck. How long are you spending in a chair?

KINNAMAN: Well, it’s funny, the fifth season I felt like we finally really stuck the landing with it. Interestingly enough, it was half of the time of the fourth season. The fourth season, I was in the chair for between five and six hours. I had a call time at, like, 1:00 a.m. for a 7:00 a.m. call time, and then I would shoot a 12 to 13-hour day on top of it, and then an hour to take it off. It was hectic. And then, it’s constant adjustments, so you have someone poking you in the face for 17 hours a day. It was really difficult, mentally, to deal with.

I can see why those Korea episodes are something that you look forward to.

KINNAMAN: Well, Season 5 was a lot easier. I found it easier to portray 80 than 70. It was easier to really lean into the aging. Because you can see a lot of 70-year-old guys who are kind of fluid, and they still have their full mobility. If you just look at their actual body movement, you can’t tell if they’re 40 or 70. But at the same time, when you’re aging 10 years on a show, there’s always an expectation of being older than the previous season. It was a harder calculation to do for 70 than 80, for some reason.

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‘For All Mankind’ Season 5 Review: Apple TV’s Best Sci-Fi Series Makes Another Colossal Change

Hi, Bob!

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Also, in the final season, it became this whole character in a way that maybe I didn’t quite achieve in Season 4. In the fifth season, I stayed in it, and I was creating this inner and outer temple where Ed was still sharp, even though sometimes he stumbled, but he’s still sharp. He had a very fast inner tempo, but then a much slower outer exterior, physical tempo. I stayed in that slower physical tempo for the entirety when I was on set. I was moving pretty slow. Also, thinking of someone that’s been on a space base for such a long time, I think the vocal cords will dry out a lot quicker, so I shifted more focus on the voice, and all of it. It felt like a different character in the fifth season compared to the fourth season.

I think what you kept is the inhuman level of Parmesan that he eats with his spaghetti, which is impressive even to me as a cheese lover.

KINNAMAN: Ed loves cheese.

Joel Kinnaman Reveals Whether or Not He’ll Be Back for ‘For All Mankind’ Season 6

“…I think that’s why the integrity of the show would forbid those kinds of leaps.”

Image via Apple TV

Wrapping things up, is there any possibility or talks about you potentially returning for Season 6 in some sort of way? My coworkers and I have a joke that you’re going to come back as a robot with Ed’s consciousness implanted into it, so you don’t have to be an old man anymore, but any potential for that? Is the door left open, or are you out?

KINNAMAN: No. I think that’s the integrity of this show, that it doesn’t do those kinds of leaps, even though I’ve been on them. I’m like, “Where are the fucking aliens, guys? Come on!” I keep showing them videos. I was like, “They’re fucking here!” And they’re just so methodical and patient, and I think that’s why the integrity of the show would forbid those kinds of leaps. It makes the goodbye mean more, too, when it actually is a goodbye.

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Release Date

November 1, 2019

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Network

Apple TV

Directors

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Sergio Mimica-Gezzan, Andrew Stanton, Meera Menon, Dan Liu, Allen Coulter, Craig Zisk, Dennie Gordon, John Dahl, Lukas Ettlin, Wendey Stanzler, Seth Gordon, Sylvain White, Michael Morris, Maja Vrvilo, Sarah Boyd

Writers

Ronald D. Moore, Matt Wolpert, Ben Nedivi, Bradley Thompson, David Weddle, Nichole Beattie, Joe Menosky

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Once upon a time, K. Michelle was head over heels about R. Kelly. She confirmed that herself in a newly released interview with ‘The Jason Lee Show.’ The singer was candid about her history with Kelly, whose currently in prison for multiple sex-related crimes, including trafficking and child pornography. And while she wanted him bad, Michelle admitted that she was not the woman he desired.

RELATED: K. Michelle Gets Real About Why It Took Her Husband 10 Years To Marry Her (VIDEO)

K. Michelle Says R. Kelly Didn’t Return Her Love

As mentioned, the singer spilled about her past with R. Kelly during a chat with Jason Lee, who runs Hollywood Unlocked. Michelle is the first guest of the show’s fourth season, which premiered on BET on Wednesday (April 8). She deep-dived into her history and present, including joining the ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ cast. When Jason Lee asked her whether she and R. Kelly had ever been intimate, she didn’t hesitate to confirm, saying, “Oh yeah, absolutely. I loved him.” K. Michelle also said, “I loved Robert Kelly. I loved him,” confirming she was IN love. Additionally, Michelle denied past reports claiming R. Kelly physically abused her.

“No, Rob didn’t hit me. I didn’t go through an abusive Rob…My truth with Robert Slyvester Kelly. Robert Kelly always saw me as nothing, I might have loved him, but he didn’t see me as, nothing more than motivation for writing. I wasn’t the woman he wanted, even though I wanted him.”

Touching briefly on his sex-related crimes, K. Michelle said “mothers and people should be held accountable.” Sparkle is Kelly’s former protégé and aunt to one of his alleged victims, Reshona Landfair. Michelle says she should “absolutely” go to prison.

“Robert is absolutely wrong in the things, but those people around him never corrected him. That’s not an excuse, Jason, because I’m a woman advocate.”

As far as Drea Kelly goes, K. also clarified that’s “absolutely not” a victim. “Drea Kelly, if you wanted snow, he had a whole team come bring you snow,” she said. K. Michelle also denied that she’s sent Robert any letters during his imprisonment, despite his team reaching out.

Singer Becomes Emotional While Explaining How She Felt Learning Of His Arrest

In addition to her intimate history with R. Kelly, Michelle also opened up about his arrest and how he’d once saved her. She told Jason Lee she was in a studio booth when she saw a TV screen announcing the arrest of her “mentor.” As she explained, she appeared to get emotional with watery eyes.

“I don’t think people understand. That man taught me about writing, and this and that,” she said, wiping away tears. “To hear what happened to those women and families, I hurt so bad for those women and I just hurt for all parties involved.”

She said that R. Kelly saved her from an abusive relationship, putting a stop to what was happening. Then, she had to watch him accused of doing the same, while knowing that wasn’t her experience of him. She said, “I wasn’t there,” adding that she “didn’t see that.” Looking back now, she feels her whole industry career has been a “f*ck over” and “not about music,” but more so the knowledge that people know she’d speak out. That in itself has “stifled” her career, Michelle said.

Social Media Weighs In On Singer’s Interview Comments

Over 4,500 Instagram users weighed in on K. Michelle’s comments about Kelly. Their thoughts appeared in the comment section of ‘The Jason Lee Show’ (@jasonleeshow). While some folks sympathized with what she shared, others had more spicy takes. For example, some commented called out the singer for saying Drea Kelly was not a victim.  Here’s a recap of the energy under the post.

@chiquita_lasett commented, “The one thing about K, she’s going to tell the truth.” 

“K. Michelle, I definitely agree that the whole ecosystem should be held accountable; label executives, staff, patents & etc. And as far as Sparkle & Drea Kelly, they are both VICTIMS and ACCOMPLICES, they can be both things at the same time,” @mrjerometrammel added.

“I say this all the time everyone should’ve been held accountable, including him! Their parents need to be in jail too for trafficking, their children,” @therealdeemanni said.

Meanwhile, @7.1.hicks wrote, “But why is K admitting how much she loved R.Kelly now that she’s married? 🙄🤔 The disrespect 🤷🏽‍♀️” 

@tiffanywysinger added, “The grave! Would’ve taken it to the dirt. Ain’t no way. Smh.”

@ricadinerotv wrote, “R. Kelly didn’t want a woman. He wanted a child. Be clear.” 

“Baby one thing about my girl K is she gonna keep it 💯,” @jess_to_create added.

“So it’s okay for her to say that Drea Kelly isn’t a victim but when someone didn’t believe her story it was the biggest deal. Damn shame,” @mariaaa_oxo commented.

RELATED: Whew! Social Media Pops OFF As Boosie Doubles Down, Saying R. Kelly Would “Smoke” Michael Jackson In A Verzuz (VIDEO)

By Robert Scucci
| Published 1 hour ago

Though I’m well past the age of regularly seeking out a raunchy coming-of-age comedy, I still like to know what’s out there. As a musician, I want to know what the kids are getting into because it’s the easiest way to follow trends and keep your finger on the pulse (grunge and shoegaze is back, baby!). As a movie fan, and also a parent, I want that same awareness because with so many media touch points these days, you need to know when to restrict content and when to provide guidance. Luckily, my kids are years off from high school, so I don’t have to worry about them watching 2024’s Incoming any time soon.

Why would I be worried about my kids watching Incoming, you ask? Remember the raunchy teen comedies we had in the early aughts? Some guy bangs a pie, another guy puts a rat in his mouth. It’s crude, but knows when to censor itself. As a 13-year-old, I thought that was the be-all, end-all of lowbrow comedy, but just like beer, whacko tobacco, and how much shame we’re willing to collectively process on a daily basis, the potency perpetually increases as time marches forward. Incoming is peak R-rated fodder and kind of a disgrace when you compare it to the raunchy comedies of yesteryear. But that’s also what makes it so fun.

Long story short, when my kids are old enough to watch R-rated movies on their own, I’m not going to read them the riot act if Incoming is one of them. But if they scroll through my recently watched list on Netflix, I’ll probably be sleeping on the couch for the foreseeable future.

Typical High School Party Plot Dialed To 11

Incoming centers on a group of high school freshmen, and it benefits from splitting them up during their first official house party. Benj (Mason Thames), Eddie (Ramon Reed), Connor (Raphael Alejandro), and Koosh (Bardia Seiri) all get their moments to shine, but their motivations are wildly different, which sends them on very different adventures.

Benj is in love with his older sister’s friend Bailey (Isabella Ferreira) and wants to make a move. Eddie and Connor are the wet blankets who just want to hang out like the good old days. Koosh’s older brother, Kayvon (Kayvan Shai), is throwing the rager, and Koosh wants to prove he’s more than just the rich kid with the cool older brother.

It’s time to party, and this is where Incoming starts to heat up. I had my reservations early on because it felt like it was building toward the usual teen movie beats of substance abuse and running from the cops. Like an updated version of Can’t Hardly Wait. Once the group gets split up, though, that’s when things click.

When Koosh is told by Kayvon that he can only let one friend in, Benj jumps at the opportunity to get closer to Bailey. Benj sticking around gives us a look at the chaos of the party itself.

Koosh, whose parents are absurdly rich, has a hidden surveillance room where he spies on every guest. He uses it to figure out who to flirt with despite having zero game. He sets his sights on Gabrielle (Victoria Moroles) and tries to seduce her in his parents’ spa. Meanwhile, Benj takes a more sincere approach, though he’s still too afraid to be himself in that kind of setting, so he plays it cool.

The B Plot Outplots The A Plot

If everything above sounds like enough to keep you watching Incoming, you haven’t even gotten to the best part. The movie’s real MVP is the B story involving Eddie and Connor.

Bored because they didn’t get into the party, they steal Eddie’s mom’s boyfriend’s Tesla and go for a joyride. They swing by the party to check things out, and that’s when Katrina (Loren Gray), the most popular girl in school, mistakes their car for her Uber. She’s well past the point of being reasonably trashed.

After demolishing an ungodly amount of Taco Bell, she creates her own version of Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes all over the back seat (read: explosive diarrhea). What follows is one of the most traumatic experiences of their young lives. Do they ditch her at a fire station covered in her own filth, or do they step up and do the honorable thing by hosing her off in hazmat suits?

Back at the party, recurring bits with their chemistry teacher Mr. Studebaker (Bobby Cannavale) keeps things interesting. Going through a messy divorce and trying to reconnect with his youth, he drinks everyone under the table and becomes the legend of the night, one questionable decision at a time.

So Much Fun, But You Have To Be Primed For It

I’m 37 years old. I don’t seek out movies like Incoming because I’m not in high school or college. Watching it through that lens, it’s nothing special because I grew up on Freddy Got Fingered and Road Trip. That said, I’m genuinely glad movies like Incoming and 2018’s The Package are still being made. Sneaking movies like this when you’re a teenager is a rite of passage.

Have I ever been to a party or road trip like the ones in these movies? Not even close. But that’s the point. These films are harmless wish fulfillment for kids who love gross-out humor and watching a bunch of losers get in way over their heads trying to get laid. It’s good, dumb fun.

I’m not going to shout from the rooftops that everyone needs to see this because I’m not the target audience. But I will recommend it to anyone convinced the raunchy teen comedy is dead. If you need proof, you can stream Incoming on Netflix.

Actor Mark Hamill, best known for his role as Luke Skywalker in the “Star Wars” franchise, has never been shy about voicing his opinion. Recently, both Lucasfilm and Disney experienced a leadership shakeup. In January 2026, Kathleen Kennedy stepped down as President of Lucasfilm and was replaced by both Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan. In March, Josh D’Amaro officially succeeded Bob Iger as Disney CEO. Many fans have been wondering how these changes might affect the franchise going forward, but Hamill doesn’t seem too concerned about its future.

Mark Hamill Shares His Thoughts On Dave Filoni

While promoting his new role with The Lego Group, the 74-year-old actor praised Dave Filoni, who worked directly with George Lucas on the animated series “The Clone Wars,” while speaking to USA Today.

Hamill said that Filoni understands the franchise “so well” and “can’t think of better hands” to take over the galaxy far, far away. He also praised the “great stuff” Filoni has worked on, including “The Mandalorian” and “The Book of Boba Fett,” both of which featured a young Luke Skywalker.

“George was a mentor to Dave, so he knows George’s sensibility,” Hamill added.

Mark Hamill Celebrates 50 Years Of ‘Star Wars’

March 22, 2026, marked the 50^th anniversary of the day that filming on the first movie began. Disney will be celebrating the milestone by putting “A New Hope” back in theaters in February 2027.  

“It doesn’t feel like 50 years, and it makes you feel old,” Hamill said, revealing that he had recently been reminiscing about the path with a 1976 date book filled with notes about the film’s production.

He recalled how it was “bringing back such memories,” adding, “time flies when you’re having fun!”

Mark Hamill Reveals Which Of His Children Are Interested In ‘Star Wars’

Hamill revealed that each of his children has a different reaction to the franchise. He revealed that his oldest son, Nathan, who was born during the production of “The Empire Strikes Back,” visited him on the set of “Return of the Jedi,” which marked the final installment in the original trilogy.

“He was totally into it,” Hamill recalled. “He could sit in Yoda’s house because he was little. He was perfectly proportioned. He sat on the Emperor’s throne. He was in the creature shop, and they were letting him play with things.”

“When I did ‘The Muppet Show,’ same thing,” he continued. “I thought, ‘What a wonderful experience for him.’ … I was almost envious of him being able to have all these experiences.”

Not All Of His Children Are Interested In ‘Star Wars’

1983 was the year “Return of the Jedi” was released in theaters. It was also the year his son Griffin was born. However, he was less interested in the franchise than his older brother was.

“My second son, Griffin, is more analytical and serious, and he says: ‘You know, Star Wars movies just aren’t for me. They’re too commercial for my liking,’” Hamill said.

However, he went on to say, “My daughter likes them. Kids are all different!”

Mark Hamill Was Fascinated By Tie-In Merchandising

While working with LEGO to promote an upcoming line of SMART Play LEGO sets, Hamill revealed that he’s always loved toys, calling them “therapeutic.” One of the first things he bought with his “Star Wars” paycheck was all the toys he wanted as a kid that he couldn’t afford, like the game Lie Detector.

He also revealed that, out of the whole cast, he was the “most enamored” by all the “Star Wars” action figures and tie-in merchandise that the franchise has since become known for, such as games and comic books.

“I bought every comic, maybe 16 copies, (and) gave them out to friends,” he recalled. “I was thrilled about that. I loved the toy aspect of it. Harrison was sort of, ‘Eh, whatever.’ He didn’t really care. Carrie thought it was kind of fun. But I was the real enthusiast.”

He also loved running across boxes of cereal with “Star Wars” characters’ faces on them when he went grocery shopping. “To me, this was a peak achievement,” he said, adding, “Forget about the Oscars. I’m on a box of Kellogg’s Corn Pops!”

Mark Wahlberg, long known as a dedicated fitness buff, is now sharing that passion with others through a new series centered on his intense daily workout routine. The new YouTube series offers a glimpse into his disciplined lifestyle, while also putting celebrity guests to the test.

Wahlberg has named one of the influencers who he said made minimal effort in the challenge, revealing that not everyone was able to keep up with the demanding regimen.

Mark Wahlberg Calls Out Influencer

Mark Wahlberg’s new YouTube series, “4 AM Club Challenge,” was announced in late March, and two weeks later, TMZ caught up with the actor to talk about the new project.

In the middle of the conversation, Wahlberg mentioned influencer-turned-comedian Druski, real name Drew Desbordes, singling him out as the celebrity who made the least effort in the challenge. “Druski, he really didn’t do much,” Wahlberg revealed. “Every time I turn around, I hear ‘9, 10.’ I turn around, he’s just sitting there looking at his phone,” he added.

Druski’s “4 AM Club Challenge” has yet to be released, and it’s unclear whether the comedian did that for comedic relief. For past events, the influencer took training seriously, participating in the Nike Runski running event in 2024. A year later, Druski shared 6 a.m. basketball training sessions on social media as he prepared for an All-Star Charity Game.

The Actor Said Some Of The Celebrities Thought His Routine Was Fake

Wahlberg was asked how difficult his workout routine would be for the average person, and he said he doesn’t think it’s the “most difficult thing to do,” advising those who want to try the routine to “do what you’re capable of doing.”

The 54-year-old said personally, he just wants to get his routine done early to get it out of the way so he can focus on other things for the rest of the day. “All these different guys came in, and most of the guys thought it was either fake that I do it for Instagram or whatever. Or they just felt like they wanted to outdo me,” he said of the celebrities who took on his challenge.

Wahlberg said the participants weren’t used to the pace and intensity of the workout, which resulted in them getting tired early.

Mark Wahlberg’s ‘4 AM Club Challenge’

On March 26, Wahlberg dropped the trailer for “4 AM Club Challenge,” a 10-part series on YouTube created in conjunction with his production company, Unrealistic Ideas.

“I’ve always believed that how you start your morning sets the tone for everything else,” said Wahlberg, adding that his 4 a.m. fitness challenge focuses on “discipline, accountability, and pushing yourself to be better.” The actor shared that working with the celebrity influencers was a fun experience.

Archie Gips, the production company’s president, said the series aims to show a “different side” to Wahlberg and the featured influencers. “It’s competitive, it’s funny, and it’s ultimately about the mindset it takes to succeed,” Gips added.

The first season of “4 AM Club Challenge” features Druski, Brent Rivera, Hannah Stocking, Ben Azelart, Dhar Mann, Pierson, Airrack, Adam W, The Stokes Twins, and Jesse James West.

Mark Wahlberg’s Daily Routine Went Viral

In 2018, the “Ted” actor shared his daily routine on Instagram Stories. It quickly went viral after online users reacted to how intense the schedule was.

As Wahlberg noted, a typical day for him starts at 2:30 a.m. He does his daily prayers and eats breakfast before beginning his workout at 3:40 a.m. and finishing at 5:30 a.m. Before noon, the actor has already done plenty, including eating a post-workout meal, showering, playing a round of golf, eating a snack, spending time in the cryo chamber, having another snack, and spending time with family.

The second half of his day is spent having meetings and doing work. At 4:00 p.m., he has another hour-long workout session before having dinner with his family. Wahlberg is in bed by 7:30 p.m., ensuring he gets eight hours of sleep.

The Fitness Buff Eats The Same Breakfast Daily

Apart from regularly working out, Wahlberg keeps in shape by having healthy meals. In December 2025, the actor posted an Instagram video sharing what he eats for breakfast daily. The meal consists of hard-boiled eggs, scrambled eggs, turkey, salmon with lemon, and blueberries. “Same old, same old, every day,” Wahlberg said while eating his meal and enjoying the sunrise.

However, he also indulges from time to time, telling Men’s Health he sometimes has “cheat meals.” He likes having tequila, chocolate, pasta, and different types of desserts, but admits that he doesn’t feel good after ingesting them. Most of the time, however, he sticks to his “boring and repetitive” diet.

“4 AM Club Challenge” released its first episode on March 27, with new episodes released every two weeks.