When Star Wars: The Last Jedi opens in theaters, expect Kylo Ren and the First Order to strike back against the Resistance in a big way this December.
After Return of the Jedi, the Empire was virtually destroyed as Emperor Palpatine fell to his death and the second Death Star blew up. But thanks to The Force Awakens, we know that the First Order rose from its ashes as a new reign began under Snoke, General Hux and Kylo Ren.
At the end of the film, our heroes blew up Starkiller Base and Rey left Kylo Ren for dead with a giant scar on his face and a hunger for revenge. Based on leaked details here and there, we know there’s a scene where Kylo Ren attacks Luke and Rey on Ahch-To. Plus, we gathered that Luke makes quick work of him where Rey cannot. Which means, Kylo’s angry, but if you think about the state of the First Order, he’s not the only one. General Hux was slightly humiliated toward the end. And we know that both Snoke and Captain Phasma will return with much more screen time in The Last Jedi.
During Friday’s The Last Jedi panel at Star Wars Celebration, Rian Johnson promised that the First Order would bounce back in a pretty big way.
In addition to wiping out the Republic’s major system of representatives, Johnson said:
"“That’s thrown the galaxy into chaos, and the First Order are jumping on that at the beginning of our movie … Very aggressive, not sitting on their hands, making some big moves at the start of our film. Things are gonna get dire.”"
It’s interesting that things are going to get dire. As of The Last Jedi‘s trailer, it seems like Luke wants to end the Jedi Order as much as the First Order does. Now, I think he says that as a means to rebuild it from the ground up. However, we also have no idea who he is speaking to. Or the context of the conversation. What if he’s speaking to Kylo Ren and just saying that to quell a tantrum? What if Kylo Ren’s on his way to rehabilitation?
The poster also brings up some interesting ideas — Luke and Kylo Ren are both shrouded in red. Which means Luke has an equal chance of going to the Dark Side as Kylo Ren has of redeeming himself. (My money’s on the latter.)
Next: SWCO: The Rian Johnson Experience
Either way, expect the First Order to play a big role in what comes next. Star Wars: The Last Jedi opens in theaters on Dec. 15, 2017.