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Mark Hamill

Mark Hamill reassured fans he is alive and well after a fake news story claiming he had died circulated on social media.

Star Wars legend Mark told his 2.5 million followers on Twitter on Saturday that he was not dead, however his attempt to inject some humor into the morbid report backfired, as he nearly convinced his fans he had in fact passed away.

Mocking a dramatic newspaper headline, he wrote: "HAMILL DIES: Much of Nation Mourns GOP: Meh#DontRushMe," alongside a black and white photo of himself with his birth year and apparent death year.

Hamill has been an outspoken critic of U.S. President Donald Trump and the Republican Party (GOP).

Those who only looked at the picture went into a panic, and numerous users replied to the post telling Hamill he scared them.

"DAMN IT Mark Hamill, I almost had a heart attack!!!!!!" wrote one, while another follower posted: "I legit c**pped my pants for a second there. Don't do that man we love you!"

Hamill, 66, recently reprised his much-loved role as Luke Skywalker in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, and even teased his fans on Saturday with the news that he may be returning for the third installment of the rebooted movie saga, despite seemingly dying at the end of the Rian Johnson-directed movie.

When told by a fan that he hoped Luke would appear in J.J. Abrams as yet untitled Star Wars: Episode 9 movie, due for release in 2019, Hamill simply replied: ""See you around, kid."- Luke."

Colin Trevorrow was set to direct the upcoming film, but crashed out of the project in September, and was replaced by Star Wars: The Force Awakens helmer Abrams.