Even Mark Hamill is afraid of hardcore Star Wars fans

Star Wars fans can be a bit prickly when it comes to their beloved franchise. (There's an entire documentary about the rancor they've directed at series creator George Lucas.) So given the sky-high expectations for the upcoming Star Wars: Episode VII — which will feature many of the major players from the original trilogy — even Luke Skywalker himself is feeling a little intimidated.

"I haven't seen [the Star Wars movies] since they were in movie theaters. I don't watch them on home theater or DVD," said Mark Hamill in an interview with the Orlando Sentinel. "There are people who are far more expert in it than I am. They know more, way more, about them than I do, and they care more. [...] You don't have to love them, but I am surprised sometimes at how vehemently they get if they're not satisfied, which is scary. I have this feeling that no matter what we do there's going to be a faction that really is disappointed. You just can't live up to that."

Hamill also described his decision to return for Episode VII in the first place. "The UPFs — the ultra passionate fans — they would come after me like the angry townspeople with torches in the old Frankenstein pictures [if I didn't return]," he said. "I would have a lot to answer for if I didn’t at least try to make the effort. It's not like I had a choice. I feel like I was called up for service by the Selective Service."

For more about Hamill's take on Episode VII — including his take on Star Wars' past and his preparations for Episode VII — click over to the Orlando Sentinel.