Star Wars: The Force Awakens Rumors

Spoiler Warning: While all of these are mere rumors, as Disney and Abrams have been incredibly tightlipped about The Force Awakens, there is the possibility that truths lie within. If you wish to see Star Wars: The Force Awakens free of any potential spoilers, you may want to stop reading here.

With all of the new promotional material for The Force Awakens, one major question is on everyone’s mind. Where is Luke Skywalker? The majority of the original cast is returning and are all depicted on the official poster and the trailer, with the exception of the son of Skywalker. Luke has been largely and noticeably absent from virtually any material related to The Force Awakens. With the exception of his haunting words and teased possible appearance, he remains a complete mystery. Could Luke Skywalker have finally succumb to the allure of the Dark Side?

Many are speculating that the reasoning possibly lies with the new trilogy’s main antagonist, Kylo Ren. Whether or not Luke Skywalker is Kylo Ren, there is undeniably a connection between the two and the Knights of Ren. Whether or not Luke is the one claiming to, "finish what you [Vader] started," audiences will soon learn where his allegiances lie.

For a more indepth analysis, check out my hub, Why Luke Skywalker is not Kylo Ren

Another theory regarding Luke Skywalker, which has long since circulated the Internet, is that the Jedi does not fall to the Dark Side, but instead is killed in the newest installment. However, Mark Hamil has already agreed to sign on for the eighth episode that is to follow. So unless Luke will be assuming the role of a ghostly apparition, as Obi-Wan did in the original trilogy (not completely out there), this one seems a little more unlikely. But there are undeniable themes at work of passing the torch to the new heroes, which will undoubtedly result in some of the veterans embarking on their final outing.

While some fans are concerned about Chewbacca, it is more likely that Leia will meet an untimely end. Whether she dies with Han or with the destruction of the resistance’s base, along with the planet that it resides on, there is a good chance that the two lovebirds (current or former) will bite the dust in The Force Awakens. Although I hold some hope that our hair-bunned heroine survives the latest incarnation of the once powerful Empire, there is little for the “scruffy-looking nerf-herder”.

With the infamous request to off his character in Return of the Jedi, this is one of the few rumors that most fans can unanimously get behind. As Han Solo assumes the mantle of bridging the old and new cast, as seen in the trailers, it appears that he will take on the role of Jedi knight Obi-Wan Kenobi from the original Star Wars (A New Hope).

With many theories out there on how Solo meets his end, we are all hoping for a legendary demise for this beloved character. Some fans speculate that Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) will murder the smuggler, after revealing to be one of Solo’s children. Others are taking it a step further and predicting that one of the hero’s oldest of friends and allies, Luke Skywalker, will not only follow in the footsteps of his father, but also kill Solo in a fit of rage. I for one am hoping for the former, as Luke falling to the Dark Side is a bit of a copout after the Jedi rejected the Emperor (the ultimate manipulator) at the conclusion of Return of the Jedi and, while I am all about the story mirroring Empire Strikes Back’s slightly darker and adult content, such a twist might turn off fans of the original trilogy.

Although we clearly see the former storm trooper holding a lightsaber, squaring off against Kylo Ren, and conveniently being shown in the trailer when Han Solo says the word, “Jedi”, fans are still skeptical. Is Finn truly a Jedi or merely trying to fend off Kylo Ren until a true force-user arrives? After all, he is wielding the very weapon of Anakin, and then later Luke Skywalker.

There is ample evidence to support either side of the argument. First of all, if you note his stance in the trailer and even the poster, it is that of a Jedi. Speaking of the poster; would they really feature a non-Jedi holding a lightsaber on the official artwork, if not so? But then again, who would have time to teach Finn to properly use the weapon of the now legendary Jedi in the allotted time of the film? Obviously there is something else that has yet to be revealed. Perhaps it is that someone else is the true Jedi in the film, such as a certain female newbie.

While a long circulated rumor, each piece of promotional material appears to further cement fan theory. There are certainly a number of connections between these characters and the trailer has only further fueled speculation. Whether it is Han embracing an upset Leia, Kylo Ren hesitating as he holds a lightsaber to Rey’s neck, Rey’s quick dismissal that, “I’m no one”, or Luke’s haunting words to presumably either Rey or Ren that “you have that power too”, this would seem the obvious route for Disney to take the story. After all, let us not forget about the heavy focus on the pattern of two across the Star Wars saga (following two Jedi per film, twins, master and apprentice, two death stars, a couple in love per trilogy, etc).

If this were indeed Rey’s true heritage, then so too is the Skywalker legacy and all of its force glory. Could she possibly be the true Jedi in the film, as opposed to Finn or even in addition to the storm trooper gone rogue? It should also be noted that Entertainment Weekly recently reported an interesting factoid. In the exclusive piece, it was revealed that Rey was abandoned on Jakku by her family when she was a child. This is very reminiscent of another Jedi that was hidden away on a desert world in the original movie.

Did the galaxy’s deadliest bounty hunter and fan favorite really meet his demise at the hands of a blind man’s accidental luck? While there is the fabled deleted sequence that never graced the screen of Boba Fett escaping the sarlacc pit, fans were previous left to mere speculation and the now debunked expanded universe for answers. However, with the franchise's revitalization, may we also see the Mandalorian bounty hunter suit up once again?

Although there have been various rumors circulating, including a few from Disney itself, there are a number of tributes in the trailer, not to mention the Kylo Ren groupie that is dressed nearly identical to Fett, if not him in person. Is this an imposter, Fett wannabe, or the real deal?

This one borders on absurdity and I hope that Abrams or Disney does not take us down this unrecoverable path. Similar to Anakin’s casual decision to accept the Emperor as his new master, this is probably an unsalvageable plot point. The Jedi and Sith have always been mysterious and their powers only exemplified by the few that are blessed enough to be force-users. Granting everyone such abilities would only diminish the magic of seeing them on the big screen. Luckily the talented writers that crafted The Empire Strikes Back were charged with the newest installment, so I think we can utter a sigh of relief there.