10:54am PT by Aaron Couch
Mark Hamill Shaves 'Star Wars: Episode VIII' Beard (But Teases It Will Be Back)

Mark Hamill is saying goodbye to something that's been with him since May 2015 — his (now) trademark Luke Skywalker beard.
Hamill grew the beard for the final moments of Star Wars: The Force Awakens — and kept the facial hair through the shooting of the upcoming Star Wars: Episode VIII. The beard gave Luke the haunted look of a man who has seen too much, but don't expect Episode VIII to fix that, with Hamill teasing on Twitter that this was only goodbye for the beard, "at least til #EpisodeIX."
P.S. we guess Luke doesn't pull a Han Solo (Harrison Ford) in Episode VIII.
Haven't seen my chin since May '15, so #FarewellFacialFur & #ByeByeBeard (at least til #EpisodeIX) @popculturequest pic.twitter.com/gaScz1okk6
— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) August 30, 2016
Hamill isn't the only star to get rid of his character's trademark facial hair this month. Hugh Jackman said goodbye to his Wolverine mutton chops a week ago.
Star Wars: Episode VIII, which still does not have a title, is set for a Dec. 15, 2017, release. Director Rian Johnson is currently in postproduction on the project.
