Mark Hamill, famous for playing Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars films, trolled a Russian embassy's social media account to give them a reality check about them being on the Dark Side of the force.
In late 2022, the "Russia in RSA" X (formerly Twitter) account wrote a post quoting an article about how Hamill sent 500 drones to help Ukraine fight off invading forces.
The post was accompanied by juxtaposed photos including a screenshot of the article from The Hill and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wearing a T-shirt that read, "Come to the Dark Side."
The Dark Side, of course, in Star Wars parlance refers to enemy forces represented by tyrannical governments like the First Order or the Galactic Empire, much like Russia, which invaded its neighboring country two years ago.
In its post, the Russian account framed Hamill as being part of the malevolent force and pointed to the graphic on Zelenskyy's tee.
"How do you like it, Star Wars fans?" asked the poster. "Luke Skywalker has joined the Dark Side."
It wasn't until recently that Hamill took notice of the post for his epic clapback.
He set the record straight about what side of the force Russia was really on.
"Hey @EmbassyRussia- tell me you don't understand #StarWars without telling me you don't understand #StarWars," he wrote, adding:
"Hint: the Ukrainian people are the Rebels-YOU are the Evil Empire."
"Swing and a miss Russkies, but thanks for playin."
He continued:
"PS: I remain profoundly honored to have answered the call from President Volodymyr @ZelenskyyUa to become an Ambassador of Drones to protect his country from your criminal invasion."
Hamill concluded the post with the hashtag, #SlavaUkraine, or "Glory to Ukraine!"
On March 1, 2022, Hamill accepted Zelenskyy’s invitation to become an ambassador for the United24 initiative, Ukraine's governmental platform to help raise money for the Russo-Ukrainian War.
The funds are distributed in three areas, which include defense and demining; humanitarian and medical assistance; and reconstruction of Ukraine.
As a United24 ambassador, Hamill's first project was to raise money for the army of drones, which he said "defined war outcomes" and protected Ukrainian land and its people.
Hamill said of the drones:
"They monitor the border, they're eyes in the sky."
The actor has expressed admiration for the resilient people of Ukraine "under such terrible circumstances" and was reminded of the Ukrainian crisis not being unlike the conflict depicted in the Star Wars saga.
He told the Associated Press:
“A fairy tale about good versus evil is resonant with what’s going on in Ukraine."
“The Ukrainian people rallying to the cause and responding so heroically … It’s impossible not to be inspired by how they’ve weathered this storm.”
Star Wars creator George Lucas has maintained the films have always been a political franchise.
He said the original trilogy, which includes episodes IV, V, and VI released from 1977 to 1983, was influenced by American politics and the Vietnam War, and he used his platform to speak out on political issues that mattered to him at the time.
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