From Jedi to Grandfather: Mark Hamill and Benjamin Pajak on Building a Bond in ‘The Life of Chuck’ [VIDEO INTERVIEW]
Mark Hamill has portrayed some of pop culture’s most iconic characters—most famously, Luke Skywalker in Star Wars and the voice of the Joker in countless Batman animated projects. But none of them are quite as tender or emotionally raw as his portrayal of Chuck Crantz’s grandfather in Mike Flanagan’s profoundly moving new film, The Life of Chuck.
Joining him on screen is rising talent Benjamin Pajak, who plays a younger version of the title character. Pajak is best known for his breakout performance as Winthrop Paroo in the Broadway revival of The Music Man opposite Hugh Jackman, showcasing not only acting chops but remarkable musical talent at a young age.
At a recent press day, I spoke with Hamill and Pajak about crafting what may be one of the most emotionally resonant Stephen King adaptations ever put to screen.
When asked what initially drew him to such a vulnerable and grounded role, Hamill responded simply:“The story and the desire to work with Mike Flanagan again.”
Hamill first collaborated with writer-director Mike Flanagan on The Fall of the House of Usher, a gothic horror series for Netflix. “I had seen Hill House and Midnight Mass,” he explained. “Once I agreed to do it, I went to his IMDb and watched everything he’s ever done. I’m a major, major fan,” he exclaimed. “So, by the time he asked me to do Chuck, I knew I was going to do it,” he said. “I didn’t know anything about it, but if he thinks I can do it, I have confidence that I can,” he added enthusiastically.
Hamill also admitted he was initially unsure how such a deeply introspective Stephen King novella could be adapted for the screen. “So much is cerebral, so much is in your head, I thought, ‘how are they going to realize this on screen?’ But I think they did an incredible job.”
Pajak, just 11 years old at the time of filming, shared what it was like to work alongside a living legend. “Mark made it so much fun to act with him,” he said. “There’s a lot of things that I kind of watched Mark do that I said to myself, ‘he’s really smart,’” he recalled.
Hamill, never missing a beat, added with a grin: “All I know is I want him to be my real grandson, but his mother is objecting to it—but we’ll talk.” Pajak shot back, “Just for one day, please.”
Their chemistry off-screen is just as heartwarming as the film itself, which explores the quiet, fleeting moments that make a life extraordinary.
Neon will release The Life of Chuck in theaters on June 6.
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