Mark Hamill defends ‘Star Wars’ superfan’s emotional response to ‘The Rise of Skywalker’ trailer

Mark Hamill has voiced his support for a superfan who posted an emotional video reaction to the latest Star Wars teaser trailer online.

• READ MORE: Star Wars Episode 9 – what we know so far about the final film in the trilogy

Eric Butts shared a video of himself crying whilst watching the latest trailer for The Rise Of Skywalker, something which later promoted a torrent of social media negativity.

Speaking to the BBC, Butts, who regularly shares “reaction videos” on YouTube, said: “It started blowing up in a very negative way. I was getting very horrible stuff sent to me.”

The negative comments were later spotted by Mark Hamill who voiced his support for the super fan online.

Posting on Twitter, Hamill wrote: “why anyone would ridicule someone so passionate & clearly enjoying what he’s seeing is beyond me.”

He later added: “Thanks for sharing your amazing reaction to the trailer. It was inspiring to see you transported with joy in anticipation of IX. Makes what we do seem all the more worthwhile…I salute your, sir.”

Why anyone would ridicule someone so passionate & clearly enjoying what he's seeing is beyond me. #UPFsAreTheBestFans ?

— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) April 15, 2019

Hi Eric- Thanks for sharing your amazing reaction to the trailer. It was inspiring to see you transported with joy in anticipation of IX. Makes what we do seem all the more worthwhile.
All the best, Mar?
PS: I salute you, sir: pic.twitter.com/7xOEVm3iju

— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) April 16, 2019

Butts said the support from Hamill has resulted in a wave of positive feedback. He said: “I was getting this outpouring of support…far outweighing the trolls.”

He continued: “When Mark Hamill tweeted me, my hands started shaking. Star Wars has been such a huge deal in my life from my childhood onwards.

I joked that I started crying again, but I did. The character he portrayed was such an influence on me.”

pic.twitter.com/rif3ClSca3

— Star Wars UK (@StarWarsUK) April 12, 2019

Meanwhile, JJ Abrams has revealed more about the title of the forthcoming Star Wars movie, after it was revealed that the final film in the trilogy would be called The Rise of Skywalker.

“The title feels like it’s the right title for this movie and I know it’s provocative and asks a bunch of questions, but I think when you see the movie, you’ll see how it’s intended and what it means,” Abrams told ET Live at a Star Wars Celebration in Chicago.

It was also recently revealed that the Star Wars franchise is going on a “hiatus” after the release of Episode 9, according to Disney boss Bob Iger.

Speaking to Bloomberg, Iger confirmed that Episode 9 would be the last film for a while although “other” movies were “in development”.