The Last Jedi: What really happened to Luke Skywalker?

More details surface from Rian Johnson and crew from Star Wars: The Last Jedi on what indeed happened to Luke Skywalker at the end of the film.

Luke Skywalker. Jedi Master. Legend. Failure. Hero. All of these describe the man who would become the ultimate hero of the Star Wars galaxy when we meet him in Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

The journey for young Skywalker ended where it began of sorts, with his final scene mirroring the start of his hero journey in A New Hope. The Last Jedi editor, Bob Ducsay broke down that emotional scene with Mark Hamill, one that sent his character, Luke Skywalker, off with a bang.

"It’s a purely cinematic scene. There’s no dialogue. There’s no action. It’s all emotion and character."

Luke’s journey begins with twins suns and ends with them, where he received the poetic end he truly deserves. More than just poetry and nostalgic feels, the scene displays a significant sacrifice on the part of Skywalker — according to The Last Jedi writer/director Rian Johnson.

"The act of what he does at the end literally just takes everything out of him. That’s a huge thing. Also … he’s having his final act be something of myth-making in a way."

“What do you think one guy walking out there with a lightsaber can do? … The answer is: Create a legend that will spread hope. And once he’s done that, combined with the physical toll it’s taken on him… there’s nothing more powerful that he could accomplish.”

A bit of foreshadowing from Kylo Ren even hints at the impossible task Luke would pull off, where he tells Rey the effort of Force projection would kill her. Yet, Luke is able to do so and more, displaying the mighty Skywalker blood in the process. True mastery, even, when he schools Kylo Ren in the ways of the Force.

Also, if you recall, Rey even tells Luke early in the film that the galaxy may need a legend. However, for him to go out on top, Luke had to deal with his past. Insert Master Yoda, stage right.

Yoda reminds Luke that failure is a lesson that he should have passed on to his learners and what a great teacher it is. Luke finally came to terms with his demons and accepted his failure, where he could finally move on and become the Jedi Master that he always dreamt of being.

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When Luke stands down the entire First Order army, and even Kylo Ren himself, he’s doing so not only to buy time for the Resistance but is accomplishing something more significant. Skywalker is creating a spark that will light the fire for the new Rebellion, which is now rising from the ashes of the Resistance.

That legend spreads as far in the galaxy as the North corner of the Outer Rim — Canto Bight even — where younglings are reenacting that very moment of Luke’s heroics. The legend of Luke Skywalker lives on and now inspires a new generation of Jedi Knights, where Rey will now take the mantle of Jedi Master from him.

But, what happened to Luke Skywalker when he disappears? Yes, he becomes one with the Force, but what exactly does that mean? Rian Johnson leaves us with more questions than answers.

"I like people being able to have their own interpretations."

Episode IX will no doubt have a heavy dose of Luke Skywalker, where his legend lives on and so does the Jedi Order, with Rey as the last Jedi now.

Next: We talk to Ashley Eckstein about Ahsoka and more!

Star Wars: The Last Jedi is currently playing in theatres, worldwide.

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