Photo Credit: Lucasfilm
The trailer for The Last Jedi has dropped, but what moments left you breathless, making you want to watch them over and over again?
J.J. Abrams brought a galaxy far, far away back with a bang when The Force Awakens invaded the galaxy in 2015, laying down the framework for the next two films, as well as providing a handful of kick-ass trailers in the process. Insert Rian Johnson, director, and writer for The Last Jedi, who now gets to dig deeper into characters that Abrams brought back, and also to life in the previous film.
Johnson had a lot to live up to in creating his own trailers after Abrams provided us with the classic: “Chewie, we’re home” line, as well as Kylo Ren’s “I will finish, what you started.”
He has successfully continued what Abrams started by leaving us with a cliffhanger in April’s initial trailer when the ultimate Jedi surprised us all by saying “it’s time for the Jedi to end.”
Johnson also provided an epic behind the scenes trailer, leaving us with a beautiful tribute to the late Princess Carrie Fisher, may you Rest In Peace.
The latest trailer for The Last Jedi landed last night, nearly breaking the internet in the process, as well as crashing movie theater websites worldwide, who were attempting to sell tickets for the upcoming film. If you haven’t seen it yet, you must be living in a cave on Dagobah, so take a look for yourself:
What moments from the trailer hit you straight in the feels, leaving you speeches? Take a journey with us to The Last Jedi, with our screencap breakdown that will make each moment last just a little bit longer.
Following in his grandfather’s footsteps
"Snoke: When I found you, I saw raw, untamed power."
Off the bat, we are given shades of time’s past, with an unmasked Ben Solo, now known as Kylo Ren, resembling his grandfather Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader.
This overhead shot also mirrors Kylo’s granddad, with the great purge of the Jedi Temple coming to mind, when the newly christened Darth Vader, with the help of elite Stormtroopers, massacred the future of the Jedi in Episode III. Kylo seems to be heading towards a similar path here, maybe a flashback of him massacring Luke’s new Jedi hopefuls?
Even with the mask concealing Kylo’s expressions, his mannerisms give him away, with the Dark Side acolyte deep in thought.
If you look closely, you can see a new lightsaber hilt, after Rey sliced Kylo’s previous one in half during their duel at the end of The Force Awakens, which was confirmed by the Lucasfilm story group and in a young readers adaptation of the film.
"And beyond that, something truly special."
No doubt the man formerly known as Ben Solo is truly gifted within the Force, with Snoke aware of that immense power and potential. Kylo appears to be in his Master’s throne-room.
Photo Credit: Lucasfilm
The Force awakens within Rey.
Speaking of something special, more than just a lonely scavenger, Rey has untapped, immense power within the Force as well.
Anytime the Skywalker blue blade ignites, it still gives me chills. The Lucasfilm story group also confirmed that this very weapon is now referred to as “Rey’s lightsaber”, so we will see how that comes to pass. Will Luke give her Anakin’s former blade, while he takes up the green blade from Return of the Jedi? We can only hope so!
We return to the ocean world of Ahch-To, where we pick up where The Force Awakens left off, with Rey and a (seemingly) emotional Luke Skywalker. This scene here is the exact one from the original trailer released back in April at Star Wars celebration, but we take a closer look:
The Last Jedi begins, where The Force Awakens ends.
"Rey: Something inside has always been there."
The seasoned Jedi Master takes possession of what started his heroes journey nearly 40 years ago.
How can one so young, be so powerful?
"Then I was awake. I needed help."
This is another piece to the puzzle, showing that the title for The Force Awakens was definitely referring to Rey’s power manifesting. Kylo Ren even mentions that towards the end of the film, when she was tapping into the Force more and more.
Rey is walking into the fog of some ancient ruins, in what is most likely her version of Luke’s Jedi trials in the cave on Dagaboh. We see once again these ancient texts, with endless possibilities on what these could be. The Journal of the Whills and the Journals of Obi-Wan Kenobi are two front-runners.
Putting the pieces together with the April trailer, Rey and Luke will journey together into an unknown cave, containing the ancient history of the Jedi and the Force itself.
Rey is practicing her mad lightsaber skills.
Like Yoda taught Luke many moons before, Rey feels the Force around her. She looks like a calm and composed Jedi veteran, doesn’t she?
Photo Credit: Lucasfilm
The Skywalker twins, Luke and Leia, have both experienced great loss, within the lineage of their own bloodline.
"Luke: I’ve seen this raw strength only once before."
He is no doubt talking about his nephew Kylo Ren. We saw glimpses of Kylo’s power in The Force Awakens, but we should see it in full “Force” in The Last Jedi, going back to the devastation his great strength caused.
Luke appears to have barely survived Kylo’s Jedi purge, pulling himself out of the wreckage just in the nick of time.
"It didn’t scare me enough then, it does now."
Once again, we see Luke’s former Jedi temple burning to ashes, along with his former students, (no) thanks to Kylo Ren.
Rey seems to be sympathizing with Luke, after likely learning of the great pain he has endured over the years.
"Kylo Ren: Let the past die."
Kylo is letting go of all his attachments, embracing the future instead, which is always in motion.
We get a glimpse of the sexiest ride in the galaxy, with Kylo Ren’s TIE-Silencer. We see him displaying the piloting skills that run through his blood — Anakin, Luke, and Han Solo — making easy work of his adversaries.
"Kill it. If you have to."
"That’s the only way to become what you’re meant to be."
We see Princess, sorry, General Leia feeling a disturbance in the Force, which happens to be her wayward son Kylo Ren. Since the untimely death of Carrie Fisher, we’ve been wondering what would become of Leia’s fate.
We seem to have our answer, with her son that she raised as Ben Solo embracing Kylo Ren and the darkness within, no matter what the cost.
The fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy.
The Falcon is back in action, being pursued by TIE fighters of the First Order. Chewie has moved one seat over into the pilot’s chair, with a cute porg as the new co-pilot. This presents the question of how do Luke and Rey get off the island if Chewie is flying solo (pun intended)?
If I remember correctly, there used to be two porgs in previous images with Chewie in the Falcon. Maybe the Wookiee got hungry for a midnight snack?
"We have a spark that will light the fire that will burn the First Order down."
With the fate of Leia hanging in the balance, Poe is now taking charge of the Resistance.
What we have all been waiting for, the chromed-Captain in action, taking on Finn…
…who is no longer playing around. Finn was once the most promising student of Captain Phasma, but have the table’s turned? Has the learner surpassed the teacher in combat?
That armor is so on point.
How can we forget about the lovable BB-8? Sure hope his circuits aren’t fried, with all of the classified information he holds.
There is the word “war” in “Star Wars“, where the First Order and the Resistance are playing for keeps, with control of the galaxy at stake. Unlike the Original Trilogy, no one group has the upper hand, where both the Dark and Light are on an even playing field.
Photo Credit: Lucasfilm
The Dark Side battles the Light.
"Luke: This is not going to go, the way you think."
Luke is going for a less than refreshing swim, showcasing intense Jedi training of Rey, which seems to push her to the ultimate brink. Rey’s had plenty of practice living in harsh conditions growing up on Jakku, which will aid her well with this unexpected training session with Luke.
I’m reminded of the previous trailer, where you can hear a faint “Help me Obi-Wan Kenobi”, who she may be calling out to within the Force to track down her brother Luke.
To me, she’s royalty. Leia has been a staple within a galaxy far, far away from the beginning. Star Wars without Leia is going to be hard to deal with, but her presence and legacy will live on.
"Snoke: Fulfill your destiny."
That sounds an awful lot like Emperor Palpatine, doesn’t it?
We see Snoke, for the first time, in the flesh, who is more sinister than ever before. What is he doing to poor Rey? He, no doubt, is torturing her with the Force. Will Luke save the day?
"Rey: I need someone to show me my place in all this."
Or will Kylo Ren provide the helping hand Rey is searching for? Will he be the one to complete her training?
The Last Jedi seems to be all we’ve hoped for and more. Luke and Snoke had a heavier presence than anticipated, while the reveal of Leia’s sure death at her son Kylo Ren’s hands is likely on the horizon.
Next: Star Wars fans think they know where Ahch-To is located in The Last Jedi
With this latest trailer, the hype is at an all-time high for The Last Jedi, which drops December 15. Did you enjoy the trailer? What moments took your breath away? Tell us in comments below and on our social media pages. Learn how you can buy tickets here.