Star Wars was once just a dream in the mind of George Lucas, a dream ridiculed by Hollywood elites, and a movie whose story of how it was made (and almost not made) is almost as wild as the space opera itself. Introducing the world to a treasure trove of iconic characters and moments, perhaps none stand out more than the saga’s centerpiece, Luke Skywalker. Luke, who started off as a moisture farmer on Tatooine would go on to be the greatest hero the galaxy would ever know.
These are the 10 best Luke Skywalker quotes in all of Star Wars.
10 “But I Was Going Into Tosche Station to Pick Up Some Power Converters!” – Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope
Let’s face it, when we first meet Luke Skywalker in A New Hope he is really nothing more than a whiny adolescent, with room for development. This is perfectly encapsulated by this quote from Luke after his Uncle Owen asks him to clean up the new droids they had just purchased. It is only after Luke sees the message from Princess Leia being carried by R2-D2 and meets old Ben Kenobi that his selfishness begins to be replaced by a willingness to rescue the Princess.
9 “Size Matters Not” – The Book of Boba Fett
The Mandalorian/Luke Skywalker show masquerading as the extremely disappointing series. The Book of Boba Fett gave fans a fairly in-depth look at Luke Skywalker training young Grogu in the ways of the Force. While the quote “Size matters not!” originates with Yoda when he is training Luke, we get to see the knowledge imparted by Yoda being passed down by Luke as he is now the teacher.
8 “No One’s Ever Really Gone” – Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi
The Last Jedi is the most divisive entry in the Skywalker Saga and angered legions of fans. Most prominently for the way the movie portrayed the character of Luke Skywalker as a bitter, old man, who believes that it is time for the Jedi to end. However, one touching moment between Luke and Leia, albeit in Luke’s Force projection form, helped to produce this memorable quote. While reassuring Leia that her son is still redeemable and that the late Han Solo is still with them. Luke declares that “no one’s ever really gone”.
7 “Search Your Feelings, Father. You Can’t Do This. I Feel the Conflict With You. Let Go of Your Hate” – Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi
Luke’s mission to turn his father from the dark side is in full force in Return of the Jedi. Upon being captured by the Empire, Luke begins to reason with his father. Assuring him that he feels the conflict inside and that Vader ultimately has the choice to alter his path by searching his feelings.
6 “I Have a Very Bad Feeling About This” – Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope
“I’ve got a bad feeling about this”, a line spoken by Luke in A New Hope and a line that would become famous in Star Wars lore as it would go on to appear in almost every project after that. Despite several characters “having bad feelings” about situations, they sure do tend to plunge into those scenarios at full speed. One reason we all love Star Wars so much.
5 “I’m Luke Skywalker, I’m Here To Rescue You” – Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope
He may be a little short to be a Stormtrooper, but one thing he is not lacking in is confidence. After blasting his way to Princess Leia’s containment cell. Luke rips off his helmet, and confidently declares that he is indeed Luke Skywalker, and he is there to rescue the Princess.
4 “Strike Me Down In Anger, and I’ll Always Be With You” – Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi
The climax of The Last Jedi sees Kylo Ren come face to face with his former mentor and uncle, Luke Skywalker, in a short-lived yet incredibly dramatic lightsaber duel. Tapping into his nephew’s fear and bitterness, Luke issues a warning to Ren that if he is to stroke him down in anger that he will always be with him, just like his father Han Solo.
3 “If There’s a Bright Center of the Universe, You’re on the Planet That’s Farthest From” – Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope
Audiences are able to learn a lot about the character of Luke Skywalker from this quote early on in A New Hope. It describes how isolated Luke feels on Tatooine and how he feels his life is being wasted away working for his Aunt and Uncle on the moisture farm. This belief of Luke is what fuels his sense of adventure as the movie progresses and helps him to become the legendary Luke Skywalker.
2 “I’ll Never Join You!” – Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back
Look, he just got his butt kicked by Darth Vader, he lost a hand, and just found out the most evil man in the galaxy is his father. Luke is really going through it at this point in the best Star Wars movie ever made, also known as The Empire Strikes Back. Luke emphatically declining Vader’s invitation to join him and embrace the dark side is one of the most iconic Luke quotes and overall moments in all of Star Wars.
1 “You Failed, Your Highness. I Am A Jedi, Like My Father Before Me” – Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi
This quote from Luke represents a true full-circle moment for this list as well as the original trilogy of movies as a whole. From a selfish young man on Tatooine just wanting to go to Tosche Station to pick up power converters to a Jedi Knight standing before the two most powerful entities in the galaxy. Like his father before him, Luke is a Jedi. The iconic character could have never returned, and his story arc would have closed with a satisfying conclusion.
