"Star Wars" fans could have something to celebrate at next year's Academy Awards, should one of J.J. Abrams' predictions come to pass. The director, who brought the "Star Wars" franchise back to the big screen with 2015's "The Force Awakens," recently said that Mark Hamill will deserve an Oscar for his performance in this December's "Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi." RELATED: Star Wars Director Rian Johnson Reveals Last Jedi’s Diverse InfluencesAs reported by the NY Daily News as part of their Oscar coverage, Abrams made this prediction at the Oscar Wilde Awards in L.A., which supports the U.S. Ireland Alliance.“I think we are all going to be very upset if he does not win an Oscar, and no one more upset than Mark,” said Abrams. The director previously worked with Hamill in "The Force Awakens," although just for one scene (the final one) -- and that scene was silent. Hamill joked about this prediction coming from Abrams in a tweet, one that featured the hashtag "Slowly Turn Remove Hood But Don't Start Your Lengthy Oscar-Worthy Monologue Until You Get To That Rock Over There."

Abrams also acknowledged that Hamill is "hysterically funny. He has done comedy. He is an amazing guy — he can do anything.”

If Hamill was to win an Academy Award, it would be a first for the franchise. Even an acting nomination would be a major feat, considering that Alec Guinness is the only actor to ever be nominated for his performance in a "Star Wars" film -- and that came back in 1978. While every "Star Wars" film has been nominated for at least one Academy Award, the franchise has not won an Oscar since "Return of the Jedi" took home a Special Achievement Award for Visual Effects. "The Empire Strikes Back" also took home the trophy for Sound Mixing.

The first "Star Wars" film won a number of Oscars. The film won Art Direction/Set Decoration, Costume Design, Film Editing, Original Score, Sound Mixing, Visual Effects and a Special Achievement Award. It was also nominated for Best Picture, Original Screenplay, Best Director and Actor in a Supporting Role (for Guinness).

The second film in the new “Star Wars” trilogy, “The Last Jedi” is written and directed by Rian Johnson (“Brick,” “Looper”). Opening Dec. 15, the film stars returning actors Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie and Andy Serkis.

(via Screen Rant)