The past 24 hours have been an absolute whirlwind for Star Wars fans, and things are just getting started.
With The Last Jedi‘s full-length trailer now out in the open, the Internet is awash with speculation and far-flung rumors, not to mention some fairly convincing theories drawn from the footage itself. In case you missed it, be sure to have a gander at our own trailer analysis, which cherry-picks eight crucial moments and examines what they could mean for The Last Jedi, the untitled Episode IX, and beyond.
Far and away though, the biggest point of contention is the characters at the heart of the story. Kylo Ren, for instance, displayed a moment of hesitation when confronted with Carrie Fisher’s General Leia Organa, his rightful mother, while there’s also evidence to suggest that Rey will fall prey to the dark side of the Force and, by effect, Supreme Leader Snoke in two months’ time. But what of Luke Skywalker?
Much digital ink has been spilled regarding Mark Hamill’s wayward Jedi, particularly after he uttered the notorious line, “it’s time for the Jedi…to end” in the original teaser. Hamill himself has played down those rumors ever since, but the sequel’s official IMAX standee has landed, and it certainly presents some food for thought as you’ll see that Luke Skywalker is placed on both sides of the Force.
Check it out in the gallery below along with a few posters for the film and let us know what you think:
Now, before we get ahead of ourselves, it’s worth keeping in mind that Mark Hamill’s Luke is arguably the most famous face in all of Star Wars, and therefore the most palatable when it comes to marketing. Supreme Leader Snoke, on the other hand, is a sight for sore eyes, and wouldn’t exactly attract the moviegoing masses when blown up onto an IMAX standee.
Nevertheless, until Star Wars: The Last Jedi hits theaters on December 15th, those rumors of Luke taking a turn to the dark side will continue to persist. But what do you think of it all? Is it hogwash? Or a clue hiding in plain sight? Drop your thoughts in the usual place.