It's a bizarre twist even for Stephen King: Star Wars icon Mark Hamill seemingly forgot he starred in the 1992 horror film Sleepwalkers. In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, discussing his new role in King's The Long Walk, Hamill revealed his hazy recollection of the earlier King adaptation, admitting, “I don't even know if I got paid!”

Sleepwalkers, directed by Stephen King himself, tells the story of two shapeshifting aliens who need virgin blood to sustain themselves. Hamill played a minor role as a police officer, a fleeting appearance that apparently slipped his mind.

The revelation came during a conversation about The Long Walk, a chilling adaptation of King's novel about a deadly footrace where the last one standing wins. Hamill's involvement in The Long Walk has sparked renewed interest in his earlier work with the horror maestro. He chuckled, adding, “I’m doing a lot of Stephen King now. It’s great.”

Hamill’s forgetfulness speaks volumes about the nature of smaller roles in a prolific career. After achieving global stardom as Luke Skywalker, it’s understandable that a brief appearance in a lesser-known film might fade from memory, even for the actor himself. The anecdote adds a touch of humour and relatable fallibility to the legendary actor.

While Sleepwalkers wasn't a critical darling, it holds a certain cult following and is considered a unique entry in Stephen King's filmography, known for its surreal and unsettling atmosphere. The film’s box office performance was modest, and it generally received mixed reviews, further explaining why Hamill might not recall it with particular fondness.

This isn't the first time an actor has had a surprising memory lapse regarding a past role. The demands of a long and varied career can lead to moments like these, reminding us that even the biggest stars are human. It certainly provides a fun story for fans to share and ponder – did anyone else miss Mark Hamill in Sleepwalkers?

So, next time you're revisiting the Stephen King film catalogue, keep an eye out for a familiar face. You might just spot a Star Wars legend in a role he himself barely remembers!