It’s become common practice these days for studios to plot out their franchises years in advance, but Marvel wasn’t the first studio to start that trend. George Lucas always had ideas in mind for more ‘Star Wars’ stories and liked to think ahead (or in the case of the prequels—think back). But it might surprise you to know that he had plans for Mark Hamill to have a role in something that sounds awfully similar to ‘The Force Awakens.’

In this old interview from a British TV show that just popped up on YouTube, a younger Mark Hamill discusses a conversation he had with George Lucas about returning several years later to star in another ‘Star Wars’ film. He would play an Obi-Wan type of character, “handing down Excalibur to the next generation.” This sounds a bit similar to some of the rumors we’ve been hearing about Hamill’s part in ‘The Force Awakens,’ although his specific character details haven’t yet been verified.

He goes on to say that Lucas told him this film would come out around 2011, while ‘The Force Awakens’ hits theaters in December 2015. It’s a few years off, but it’s pretty close. ‘The Force Awakens’ takes place three decades after the events of the original trilogy, and we do know for certain that Luke filmed with Daisy Ridley’s character.

‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ hits theaters on December 18, 2015.

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