After completing the challenging 600-foot climb up Ireland’s Skellig Michael island for Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Mark Hamill hoped to avoid repeating the trek for additional scenes.
He considered staying overnight on the summit in a tent, believing it would help him stay in character and save time. However, he soon learned that sleeping on the island was not an option, as the location is a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site. Producer Kathleen Kennedy informed him that pitching a tent was strictly prohibited by Irish authorities to preserve the site’s natural and cultural significance.
This meant Hamill had to endure the arduous climb again for subsequent scenes, despite his initial desire to stay put and avoid the physical strain. The restrictions highlight how filming in protected locations often involves strict regulations to safeguard historic sites, even if it complicates the actors’ plans.
