Sandwiched between The Force Awakens and the so-far untitled Episode IX, Star Wars: The Last Jedi is the crucial second chapter in Lucasfilm’s current trilogy. It’s also a movie that belongs to Luke Skywalker.
Similar to how The Force Awakens allowed Han Solo to adopt a mentor role, Rian Johnson’s box office phenomenon placed a particular emphasis on Luke, the wayward Skywalker who turned his back on the Rebel Alliance – and, by effect, the Resistance – soon after his Jedi Academy went up in flames. You can thank Kylo Ren for that unmitigated disaster.
It’s no wonder then that after years spent in exile, the Luke we see in Star Wars: The Last Jedi is a grumpy curmudgeon. A shell of the Star Wars legend who led the Rebel Alliance to victory. Still, many feel that the disillusioned, depressed portrayal of Luke Skywalker in the film doesn’t gel with the character from the original trilogy and it’s his controversial arc that’s caused so much backlash from the fanbase.
It’s not only viewers who have issues with it though, as even Hamill himself was taken aback and somewhat uncomfortable about the direction that Johnson took the iconic character in. Or at least, he was. Then he actually saw the film and is now changing his tune, telling IMDb:
“I’ve had trouble accepting what Rian saw for Luke, but again, I have to say, having seen the movie, I was wrong.”
These comments follow on from what Johnson said earlier this week, where he explained that once Hamill realized that The Last Jedi is as much concerned with passing the torch on to another generation as it is with preserving its time-honored heroes, he was alright with what was going to happen to Luke.
“It wasn’t the thing he wanted to necessarily hear,” says the director. “Understandably so. Mark had all these years to think what Luke’s triumphant return would be. Luke’s the hero coming back into this story, and the fact that this character and this movie could not be that — this character in this movie was by necessity what he had to be, and also in relation to Rey, that brought its own necessity.”
It was a bold choice for Johnson and Co. to make, to be sure, but it’s arguably the right one – even if a vocal minority of fans say otherwise. Plus, there’s always the possibility that Luke could return as a Force ghost. Handily, the concept was even reintroduced to audiences via Yoda’s welcome cameo during The Last Jedi. Even if this isn’t being planned, it would be a good idea to work Luke into Episode IX somehow, otherwise the pic will be sadly bereft of any connections to the original trilogy.
As for what purpose Luke’s ghost could fill in the narrative, well, Rey’s story will likely see her continuing along her path as a burgeoning Jedi. So, Luke could return to offer her some sage words of wisdom when she most needs them. Perhaps before some big final confrontation with Kylo Ren? It’s certainly possible, but we’ll just have to wait and see what happens.
China notwithstanding, Star Wars: The Last Jedi is currently playing in theaters across the globe. And it’s only taken seven days for the Lucasfilm sequel to break past $500 million worldwide.