One of most divisive elements of Star Wars: The Last Jedi was the film’s portrayal of a grouchy, later-years Luke Skywalker, with many fans feeling like the saga’s most famous hero didn’t get the big, heroic send-off he deserved. And though we’ve known for a while now that Mark Hamill will be reprising the role at least one more time for Star Wars: Episode IX, it’s been widely predicted that this appearance will be as a Force Ghost – a form that’s usually taken by wise old advisers like Obi-Wan Kenobi, rather than active participants in the fight.
So perhaps it’s from wishful thinking alone that we’ve been hearing a whole load of rumors in recent months of next year’s trilogy-closer having a little action lined up for Luke, with reports ranging from great displays of power to duels with late villains. This new leak relayed by Express.co.uk falls very much into that latter category, though the identity of Skywalker’s spectral opponent remains unclear.
According to this unverifiable report, a scene description sees Luke inside of a hut that leads to a tunnel. Here he crosses paths with a hooded figure wearing black with “red hues” and wielding a red lightsaber. With his own green saber, Luke gets into a fight with this mysterious, teleporting being, who ultimately crumbles to the ground into nothing.
It’s telling that so many of these recent rumors reveal supposed intel on Luke’s scenes, rather than a character that The Last Jedi’s detractors aren’t so big on like Rose Tico. But while this latest report definitely gives off the vibe of someone telling certain fans what they want to hear, it’s worth remembering that director J.J. Abrams tends to be more of a nostalgist and a people-pleaser than Rian Johnson. So even if there’s little reason to buy into this new report, perhaps it’s not completely out of the question that the franchise’s current helmsman would give Luke a reason to wield the lightsaber once more.
Either way, we’ll presumably find out how the afterlife’s treating Hamill’s Jedi when Star Wars: Episode IX hits theaters on December 20th, 2019.