The 2018 Rakuten TV Empire Awards took place tonight and Star Wars had a great showing as Mark Hamill, Daisy Ridley, Rian Johnson and The Last Jedi all took home awards.
Daisy won Best Actress for her performance as Rey in Jedi.
“When we made Jedi, the first one had just come out and I was sort of having a bit of a moment. I felt so self-conscious,” she said, praising “all the people who make you feel like you can do it.”
Rian Johnson was awarded best director for The Last Jedi.
“Thank you so much. I want to thank Empire, you guys have been os supportive going right back to Brick.” He also thanked the readers and fans who voted. “As Mark said, we’re all fans ourselves. It means everything.”
Mark Hamill received the Empire Icon Award.
“I try to do my homework and make prepared remarks, but nothing prepares you for a moment like this. Plus, Dafne Keen was far more articulate than I’ll ever be,” he says. “Empire I think of as a magazine written by fans, for fans. First and foremost, that describes me, and I think the fans realise that — I’m one of them.” He finishes saying: “I share this with all of you, and with the fans. Without them, I certainly wouldn’t be standing here.”
Top top it all off, The Last Jedi won Best Film with Ram Bergman and Johnson stepping up to take the award.
“What an incredible year for movies, just absolutely amazing,” Johnson says. “We made the film here, with a UK crew and largely UK cast. It feels like a British film.” He also thanked Empire’s readers and voters.
To top off the night, Steven Spielberg was awarded the Empire Legend of Our Lifetime Award. Congratulations to all of the award winners, and hats off to our GFFA stars.
