It is certainly an exciting time to be a Star Wars fan, as the internet continues to buzz about the release of the first trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens this past Thanksgiving weekend. Although franchise creator George Lucas is not directly involved in this sequel after selling LucasFilm to Disney in 2012, a 1983 interview with Mark Hamill reveals that George Lucas always had plans to return to his beloved galaxy, far, far away. While promoting Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi 30 years ago, Mark Hamill says that George Lucas had asked him about playing an "Obi-Wan type" character, predicting that Star Wars: The Force Awakens would arrive in 2011.

This is incredibly prophetic, and hints that George Lucas always had a long-term plan for his beloved franchise. It isn't clear what else he may have had in store for this series and its characters. Or how much of those plans are being implemented today under J.J. Abrams' direction. Take a look at what Mark Hamill had to say back in 1983 below.

"I'm so loyal to George, and I owe him so much. He at one time asked, 'Would you consider playing an Obi-Wan-type character handing Excalibur down to the next generation?' I said, 'When would that be?' and at the time he said, 'Aww, around 2011.' I thought, 'gee, as much as I'd like to have a job lined up at the turn of the century,' I was figuring out how old I'd be at that point and I thought, I don't know."

Of course, George Lucas was a few years off, but the fact that he was so close is quite incredible in and of itself. We also don't know if Mark Hamill's Luke Skywalker will become an Obi-Wan-type character in Star Wars: The Force Awakens since we have no confirmed plot details. Perhaps we'll learn more about the aging Luke Skywalker soon. What do you think about Star Wars: The Force Awakens being teased more than 30 years ago? Chime in with your thoughts, and take a look at the brief interview segment below.