The Shining, It, & Extra

Previously yr, Mark Hamill has quietly change into one thing of a Stephen King common, and now he has revealed his favourite books from the creator. Finest often known as Luke Skywalker in Star Wars, Hamill has lately starred in two main Stephen King film variations, 2024’s The Lifetime of Chuck and 2025’s The Lengthy Stroll.

Now, in a current interview with The New Yorker, Hamill has revealed his favourite Stephen King books of all time, whom the actor describes as “way more versatile a author than he will get credit score for.” Surprisingly, Hamill lists The Shining, The Lifeless Zone, It, and On Writing as his favourite choices. Talking on The Shining, Hamill said:

I went to see The Shining on opening weekend, and I used to be simply so knocked out that I went immediately from the theatre to a bookstore to purchase the e-book. […] I keep in mind having fun with it a lot that I might decelerate — like, “Oh, I am studying too quick.” That is the primary King e-book I ever learn, and it is the one which made me a big fan.

When it got here to The Shining, Hamill mentioned that he refused to learn it in daylight, ready till the home was darkish and quiet, to maximise the chills. Moreover, though he did not get an opportunity to audition for David Cronenberg’s adaptation of The Lifeless Zone, Hamill nonetheless known as the story “unbelievable” and admitted he needed to be a part of it:

I did not get an audition, however I nonetheless learn the e-book. It is such a unbelievable premise […] In any case, the film was nice; Martin Sheen was good. […] I do not maintain grudges, I am not like that.

Hamill additionally divulged that he “solely lately learn It, which is so scary,” describing the Invoice Hader film as: ” […] virtually exhausting to look at, it is so ugly and horrible. I do not know why individuals like that — however I additionally do.” Lastly, Hamill mentioned his causes for selecting King’s On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft as a favourite, stating:

After I met King in particular person the primary time, what I actually needed to do was choose his mind. […] This e-book is like sitting in a room and asking him all these questions. I am unable to advocate it extremely sufficient, as a result of it answered so a lot of mine.

What Mark Hamill’s Stephen King E book Picks Imply

Mark Hamill’s favourite Stephen King books reveal an appreciation for tales that blur the road between the supernatural and one thing deeply human. The Shining and It are terrifying, however they’re additionally grounded in actual worry, trauma, and emotion. That emotional realism appears to be what resonates most with Hamill, who’s spent his personal profession balancing larger-than-life roles with grounded performances.

His love for The Lifeless Zone exhibits curiosity in morally advanced, character-driven tales, and it isn’t exhausting to think about Hamill thriving in a job like Johnny Smith. Nevertheless, it is also telling that he did not embody The Lengthy Stroll on the checklist regardless of starring within the film, as a substitute highlighting simply how lengthy the actor admired King’s work earlier than changing into a part of it.

Our Take On Mark Hamill’s Favourite Stephen King Books

Hamill’s favourite Stephen King books present that he is greater than only a style icon; he is a real fan of storytelling. These books discover worry, mortality, and ethical battle in numerous methods, and that strains up completely with the roles Hamill gravitates towards: flawed characters in unusual, unsettling worlds. It additionally helps clarify why The Lengthy Stroll appealed to him.

Though it is a dystopian thriller, on the coronary heart of The Lengthy Stroll is human limits — bodily, mentally, and emotionally — which mirrors themes from the actor’s favourite King novels. Due to this fact, Mark Hamill‘s option to step into the position of The Main is sensible, as he is not on the lookout for the most important franchise or the flashiest position, however tales that stick with you.