Mark Hamill shows his face

Mark Hamill has been spotted sporting a fine growth of facial hair worthy of a Jedi Master.

On the red carpet in London at the UK premiere of Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy this week, Mark Hamill posed for cameras as he exhibited his masterful facial hair, reminiscent of the beard worn by Sir Alec Guinness in the original Star Wars trilogy.

Speaking to the BBC's Lizo Mzimba he explained that he was "contractually obliged" to grow the beard for his role in Star Wars Episode VII, and that it signified Luke Skywalker's role as the mentor figure, like Obi-Wan Kenobi before him.

Hamill also revealed how surprised he is to be returning to Star Wars all these years later, and says that he never intended to return to the galaxy far far away. But so far he seemed impressed with the talent of the new cast and is confident that the future of Star Wars is in good hands.