'Episode 7' Star Daisy Ridley/Rey Recreates Iconic Mark Hamill's 'Empire Strikes Back' Scene

It's no secret that Star Wars: The Force Awakens paid tribute to the original trilogy in several ways, from an homage to the Mos Eisley cantina scene to the super-sized Death Star known as the Starkiller Base being named after Luke Skywalker's original moniker. Now Episode VII stars Mark Hamill and Daisy Ridley (Rey) have decided to recreate one of the most iconic scenes from The Empire Strikes Back!

Hamill recently tweeted a photo as a greeting for Ridley on her 24^th birthday. The image shows the Batman: The Killing Joke voice actor riding piggyback on his costar, similar to the way Yoda once rode on his back while training in the swamps of the planet Dagobah. While Ridley appears to be smiling for the picture, Hamill seems serious in taking on his new role as a bigger (and hairier) version of the Jedi Master.

A long time ago (last week I think) In a galaxy far, far way(@PinewoodStudios ) THIS happened! Happy Birthday Daisy! pic.twitter.com/dYc9j65YBD

— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) April 10, 2016

Although it may be highly unlikely that the scene will be recreated in Episode VIII (because Ridley might break her back carrying Hamill around like that), the pair are expected to be focusing on Rey's training as a Jedi. Luke had spent plenty of time learning to use the Force in The Empire Strikes Back; so there is a huge possibility that most of Rey and Luke's scenes together will be on that mountain where she returned his old lightsaber.

Star Wars: Episode VIII is directed by Rian Johnson and will mark the return of John Boyega as Finn, Adam Driver as Kylo Ren and Oscar Isaac as Poe Dameron. Game of Thrones star Gwendoline Christie has also been confirmed to come back as Captain Phasma although the character's fate was unknown in The Force Awakens. Hopefully, she survived the garbage chute.

Episode VIII is scheduled for release on December 16, 2017.