Mark Hamill defends Star Wars superfan who got attacked for video of emotional reaction to The Rise of Skywalker trailer

'Why would anyone ridicule so passionate?' asks Hamill

Mark Hamill has publicly defended a Star Wars fan’s emotional reaction to The Rise of Skywalker‘s trailer.

The actor spoke out after Eric Butts, who regularly shares reaction videos on YouTube, came under criticism for a clip that shows him tearing up with joy and excitement as he watches the Episode IX teaser.

“Why anyone would ridicule someone so passionate and clearly enjoying what he’s seeing is beyond me,” Hamill wrote in response to a tweet mocking Butts’ video.

Hamill also addressed the fan directly, telling him: “Hi Eric – Thanks for sharing your amazing reaction to the trailer.

“It was inspiring to see you transported with joy in anticipation of IX. Makes what we do seem all the more worthwhile.”

The actor ended his message to Butts with the words ”PS: I salute you, Sir” and a GIF of himself as Luke Skywalker giving a salute.

Butts’s reaction vide was shared online on Friday, the day the trailer was released.

As the teaser progresses, the YouTuber gets increasingly thrilled, eventually bursting into tears as he wonders aloud: “How do they make this movie more epic every time?”

Some derided his reaction, deeming it “sad”, attention-seeking, or not manly enough.

Others along with Hamill, however, have defended Butts, urging his critics to let him enjoy the Star Wars franchise in peace.

The New York Comic Con’s Twitter account joined in, telling him: “Keep doing your thing. Being this passionate is amazing. Hope you never lose that, bud.”

Rogue One co-writer Gary Whitta said he had previously enjoyed Butts’s reaction video for that film, adding: “Seeing his utter joy remains one of my favourite memories from being involved with that movie. The passion of fans like Eric IS EXACTLY WHY WE MAKE MOVIES.”