Now that we finally know the title of Star Wars: Episode VIII — now henceforth The Last Jedi — what in the galaxy could it mean?
In case you were under a rock, asleep, or otherwise occupied earlier today, Lucasfilm and Disney decided to break the Internet by dropping the title for Star Wars: Episode VIII. The movie will have the subtitle of The Last Jedi. Naturally, this means that it’s now time for fans of the franchise to start speculating on what the title could refer to.
As noted by my colleague in the above-linked article, the word Jedi is its own plural. In other words, you may (smugly) correct people who say Jedis so long as you prepare yourself for accusations of pedantry. Therefore, Luke Skywalker may actually be the last Jedi in the singular at the start of the movie. However, any training of Rey could make her the second last Jedi and make the title plural. In other words, those concerned about Luke Skywalker can worry just a little less.
(Since The Force Awakens killed off Han Solo, which I still refuse to accept, don’t breathe easy just yet. Also, don’t let Mark Hamill’s confirmation of his Episode IX appearance soothe you much either. Force Ghosts are still a thing, remember?)
As also noted, the title actually has red font. Though this is rare, it actually almost happened once before.
Return of the Jedi almost hit theaters under a different name as well. Since The Last Jedi is now the second film in the Skywalker saga to use the word Jedi in the title, it’s a nice reference.
Indeed, the official announcement also made sure to note that this film is part of the main sequence of the Skywalker saga. That further leads me to conclude that the film will be about Luke and Rey as the last two Jedi — and probably a confirmation that they’re father and daughter. Hey, just remember that Rian Johnson said family plays a big part in Rey’s story in this movie.
But that reminds us. Though Rey’s parentage has many theories, another from The Force Awakens that might come into play is whether or not Finn is himself Force-sensitive. Perhaps our proposed duo of last Jedi is actually a trio.
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Star Wars: The Last Jedi drops Dec. 15.