Mark Hamill, the iconic actor from Star Wars: The Last Jedi has great praise for the combat prowess of Donnie Yen in Rogue One. The actor was a scene stealer in his role of Chirrut Imwe, a blind-warrior-monk and Force worshipper. Whenever he didn’t beat the villains easily, he dropped great one-liners and kept repeating his mantra: “I am one with the Force, and the Force is with me.” During his last moments, he even managed to convince his unbelieving partner Baze Malbus to have faith in the Force and repeat the words.
Chirru was apparently adept with a staff in Rogue One, but, he was never shown as fighting with a lightsaber. However, his skills indicate that he would have been quite a force with it. That’s what Mark Hamill also feels, as disclosed by him recently. Yen also agrees.
Hamill was in an interview with YouTuber Norma Jenner who asked him about who he thought was the best lightsaber fighter in the Star Wars films. He mentioned Yen’s character, and although he couldn’t really recall the name, Chirrut Imwe really impressed the actor who plays Luke Skywalker. The fan account Donnie Yen Daily noticed Hamill’s praise, and on Wednesday Yen also approved with a plain two thumbs up.
Hamill’s remarks on Chirrut Imwe and the actor’s skills are even more appreciable since he wasn’t really Force-sensitive. He believed in his spirituality and physical prowess to become a superb fighter despite being blind. He also happened to be greatly in sync with the Force ways as he was a member of the Guardians of the Whills. For example, he sensed that the necklace of Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) was studded with a Kyber crystal, one of the key components that powered the lightsabers.
Hamill’s comments prove that successfully fighting through the Force doesn’t depend on a lightsaber only. However, Chirrut Imwe is someone who could have been at the same level as Luke Skywalker when it came to wielding the legendary Star Wars weapon. Chirrut also proved that Force-sensitivity is not vital to be a good fighter, you only have to have faith in its powers, and that might have impressed Mark Hamill.
Yen was so good as Chirrut Imwe that maybe he and the Guardians of the Whills should get a solo movie some day. To see such a Force believer, who wasn’t really able to use it, would be gripping. Chirrut fans might not see the character ever again, but, his role in Rogue One itself is impressive enough to forever enter the Star Wars folklore.
