LEGO SMART Play adds a new dimension to play, with interactive bricks that make sounds and light up when joined with minifigures and other pieces in LEGO SMART Play sets. To help both kids and parents get in on the building fun, Mark Hamill teamed up with The LEGO Group as a Junior Executive Director of Information (AKA a J.E.D.I.) to answer questions on a special hotline for kids who wanted to learn more about the special sets!
The Toy Insider spoke with Hamill about his new role with The LEGO Group, his love for the brand, and what fans can expect from the collection.
Mark Hamill answered kids' LEGO SMART Play questions on a special hotline. | Source: The LEGO Group
Mark Hamill is an official expert on the LEGO Star Wars SMART Play building sets. | Source: The LEGO Group
How does it feel to be a J.E.D.I. in a whole new way with this LEGO collab?
I love it, I’m the brand’s newly appointed Junior Executive Director of Information (J.E.D.I.). Get it? It’s a fun role, and I’m most excited about getting to connect with the fans. The fans have always been incredibly supportive and loyal. If it weren’t for them, I would be nowhere. I love them dearly. They’re more than just fans, they’re family. And it’s exciting to connect in this way through the LEGO brand.
As someone who’s spent a lifetime in fandom culture as both a personality and a participant, how do you see LEGO SMART Play resonating with both kids and the adult fans who grew up with LEGO and your work?
Well, the LEGO brand is timeless, and so is Star Wars. There have been over 70 Luke Skywalker minifigures, and the LEGO SMART Play character is something completely new. I hope fans, young and old, get a chance to enjoy playing with LEGO SMART Play.
What LEGO Star Wars SMART Play set is your favorite? Why?
They’re all great, but the Throne Room Duel set is really impressive. When they showed it to me, I was really blown away at the detail. I love getting to visit Children’s Hospitals — that’s one of the greatest joys I’ve had in my career, and I’m going in a few weeks and so excited to share these sets with the kids.
What is something that surprised you about LEGO Star Wars SMART Play?
There are so many things you can do with these sets. You know, I grew up and played with my kids, having to say “pew pew,” and now they make noises for you.
What is your favorite thing about LEGO?
I have so many amazing memories of building LEGO sets with my kids when they were younger. The brand keeps introducing new ways to play, and I love that it’s imaginative play for old and young.
You’ve voiced characters that live far beyond the theatrics of the screen — how do you see SMART Play as a new kind of “stage” for kids to create their own stories?
Well, there is literally a karaoke stage in the cantina set. But, really, these sets let kids recreate Star Wars scenes, but they can do so much more.
To learn more about LEGO SMART Play, check out the sets below or visit LEGO.com.
LEGO STAR WARS SMART PLAY: LUKE’S RED FIVE X-WING
This interactive Star Wars building set uses SMART Play technology to trigger lights, sounds, and responsive actions. It includes a SMART Brick and charger, two SMART minifigures (Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia), and five SMART Tags.
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LEGO STAR WARS SMART PLAY: DARTH VADER’S TIE FIGHTER
Powered by the LEGO SMART Play system, this all-in-one set includes all SMART Play components: a SMART Brick and charger, a LEGO SMART minifigure, and a SMART Tag, enabling responsive play, dynamic lights, sounds, and more.
