MARK HAMILL says he and CARRIE FISHER knew about the new "Star Wars" movies ahead of time, but not about the deal to sell Lucasfilm to Disney.

Hamill says GEORGE LUCAS called and invited him and CARRIE FISHER to lunch over the summer to tell them that Episodes 7, 8 and 9 were happening, and that newly-appointed Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy would be doing them.

What Hamill did NOT say is whether he, Carrie, HARRISON FORD or any of the other stars from the original trilogy will be returning.

As for the Disney deal, Hamill had no advance knowledge of that.  He says, "Oh my gosh, what a shock that was!  I had no idea that George was going to sell to Disney until I read it online like everybody else."

As for how he feels about the deal, Hamill says, quote, "They haven't done badly by Marvel and the Muppets and Pixar.  It's one of those big decisions that at first seems unusual but then the more you look at it, the more it makes sense."