Even if half of the online rumors prove to be false, Star Wars: The Last Jedi will still herald a lot of firsts for the franchise.
For instance, it’s the first entry in Lucasfilm’s prized asset that ditches the iconic yellow logo, instead opting for a blood-red color scheme – likely to echo the sequel’s evocative and, crucially, singular title. Not only that, but word is The Last Jedi will become the longest Star Wars film yet with a running time in excess of 150 minutes, which places it comfortably ahead of Attack of the Clones (142 minutes).
And today, the folks at Making Star Wars have uncovered yet another potentially fascinating piece of intel: Star Wars: The Last Jedi will reportedly pick up directly where The Force Awakens left off, with the Resistance still riding high after their triumph on Starkiller Base. But it seems that victory rings a little hollow once First Order reinforcements arrive.
As MSW reports, Jedi Bibliothek, a tie-in model kit to launch alongside The Last Jedi in two months’ time, contains some alleged story clues relating to the sequel’s opening and, more specifically, how the Resistance escape D’Qar at the 11th hour.
After Poe Dameron’s squadrons destroyed Starkiller Base, the First Order sought out the Resistance headquarters on the planet of D’Qar to enact their revenge. A-wings flew guard around the Resistance fleet and the transports fleeing the base. When three First Order warships emerged from hyperspace to attack, a squadron of A-wings, commanded by Tallie Lintra, assisted Poe Dameron and the Resistance’s assault bombers in taking on an enemy dreadnought.
Chances are this same scene is the one featured in The Last Jedi‘s initial teaser trailer, where a fleet of Resistance ships line up in unison against the invading First Order. It’s impossible to know for sure, but with a full-length promo imminent (October 9th, perhaps?), it shouldn’t be too much longer before we have some answers.
And then the countdown to December 15th will really get underway.