Director Rian Johnson talks Luke Skywalker’s path in Star Wars: Episode VIII

2017 is the year of Star Wars: Episode VIII, and to that end, director Rian Johnson is beginning to share details on Luke and Rey’s path in the film…

Star Wars: Episode VIII is already being lauded the most anticipated film of 2017, and with the massive success of both The Force Awakens, and Rogue One, the hype surrounding the film is starting to take on a full head of steam. We haven’t seen a trailer for the film, nor do we have an official title, but according to Lucasfilm president, Kathleen Kennedy, we will see a trailer sometime in the Spring.

Director of the film, Rian Johnson, recently spoke to USA Today and dropped some very interesting quotes regarding Luke Skywalker’s (Mark Hamill) path in Star Wars: Episode VIII, as well as that of Rey(Daisy Ridley).

The quotes have to do with Luke’s self-banishment to that remote planet, Ahch-To, and Rey’s finding him there at the end of The Force Awakens.

Image Credit: Lucasfilm

"“I don’t want to skip ahead two years. I want to see the very next moment of what happens.”"

Johnson explains that a large part of Episode VIII will be spent on why Luke is on Ahch-To and what his next move will be. He also talked about Rey’s connection to the Force.

"“Part of what’s she’s dealing with is the realization that she has this power and this gift. She’s taking her first step to coming to terms with this thing inside her that she never knew was there and is just starting to reveal its potential.”"

It certainly sounds as if Johnson plans on exploring Luke Skywalker the Jedi Master, and his reasoning behind the self-banishment, as well as him possibly training Rey in the ways of the Force, as a Jedi.

This probably means flashbacks to when Luke had his new Jedi Academy, and to when Ben Solo betrayed him and became Kylo Ren. We might also get flashes of Rey’s parentage, especially if a large part of the film is dedicated to finding out why Luke went into hiding, in the first place.

More from Dork Side of the Force

• Daniel José Older named a High Republic Adventures character after someone special
• How animation changed Star Wars: Ewoks and Droids
• Kelleran Beq comes to Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes
• The Mandalorian’s Pedro Pascal becomes No. 1 on IMDb’s Starmeter for 2023
• Unwrapping the Star Wars LEGO Advent Calendar: Day 7

We want to hear from you: Does Rian Johnson’s comments on Luke and Rey’s paths in Star Wars: Episode VIII make you more excited to see the film when it hits theaters in December? Let us know in the comments below and on social media.