For me it's about the characters and the struggle they go through which is what draws me to any story whether it's science fiction or real life. In Empire Strikes Back, everything was about Luke seeking to find about himself and so he had to go on this path of discovery where he met Yoda and really found out about the teachings of the Jedi. There was just something about it that was so fascinating to me as a kid. Given my background of the path I was put on at a young age and the family I was raised in, I really connected to it. Plus as a kid you want to be dazzled, so a big epic space battle is totally entertaining and fun to watch. The great part about movies is that you can relive that experience over and over. The Star Wars films were something that my entire family would watch, not just me. My sisters loved those movies, and my mom and dad loved those movies. It was something we were all connected together in doing.
It seems that Star Wars is the one film franchise that people can instantly bond over.
Much like what happened with J.J. Abrams and Damon Lindelof, it's a good way to gauge if you want to get to know someone. You could be sitting next to someone at a bus stop that you probably won't have a thing in common with but if you say, "What do you think of Star Wars?" and you'll know whether you'd want to continue to talk to him or not based on his answer.
Are there any Star Wars characters you identify with the most?
I don't know if I identify with any one specifically, but as a kid I wanted to be Return of the Jedi Luke because he was the guy who had all the abilities and was in perfect control of that.
So not whiny New Hope Luke?
No, but the funny thing is whiny New Hope Luke was very much like early Peter Petrelli. "I don't know what I'm doing or where I'm supposed to go..."
I don't know if I ever considered your character on "Heroes" whiny.
Oh, Peter was whiny! [laughs] I always love the characters that have these great abilities and they're so focused in how they use them that they weren't abused, and they were used at the right time in the right way. Those are always the characters I'm kind of drawn to. But then again I also love the Han Solo character. He's the everyday guy. He's a guy's guy.
Who do you think is the biggest hero in Star Wars?
Yoda, probably because of his perspective. He's a master and in complete control. He sees all the angles and still won't completely get in the way. He'll allow the younger Jedi to make mistakes and then come to him for guidance. Being a young man, you always look for mentors and people who will teach you, but you also want to stand on your own. You have to fight to show everyone you're good enough but we all need our teachers. We all need someone who has been there and done that to give us guidance. In my mind, it's very much a way of life. I know how I was when I was younger -- in my late teens and early 20s -- nobody could tell me what to do. Now as I'm getting older I realize those people were so patient with me, and didn't intrude with how I was doing things but tried to give me just enough to make the right decision. I really value those relationships I have now, especially with my family.
As an actor, which role in the Star Wars films would you have liked to play?
Wow, I really don't want to take away from anything. I always liked the fact that Jabba the Hutt wasn't originally a big slug. I thought that was cool, but I don't think I could pull it off. I am fascinated by things like that. I think I'm so enthralled and invested in who those faces were who played those characters that there's no desire to play something in the films. I love being on the outside. Granted, if George Lucas asked me to play a character, I wouldn't say no.
Tune into "Heroes" on Monday nights on NBC to see Milo Ventimiglia in action.
Read other "Heroes" profiles of co-executive producer and writer Jesse Alexander and actor Masi Oka.
Check out our Star Wars Rocks Archive for more interviews from some of your favorite bands and celebrities.
