The Last Theories: A ‘Star Wars’ Speculation

December brings the joy of Christmas, togetherness, and one of the greatest gifts of all: “Star Wars.” In the second installment of the new era, there are still many questions that have yet to be answered, and hopefully “The Last Jedi” will provide clarity. In the last movie “The Force Awakens,” we met new characters that have ties to old ones such as the villainous Kylo Ren, also known as Ben Solo, who is Leia and Han Solo’s son. However, they left out some vital components to the new heroine Rey.

We know nothing of her background, who her parents are and how she has the ability to use the force. Similar to how the evil lurking in the shadows has unknown origins, there are only theories that can be put into place before “The Last Jedi” makes its debut on Dec. 15. Only then will we know who is truly the last Jedi.

Ever since “The Force Awakens,” people have speculated who Rey’s parents are and where she came from. There are theories that she is a Kenobi or a Skywalker, but those seem a bit to obvious. If she were a Skywalker, Leia and Luke would have recognized her immediately toward the end of “The Force Awakens,” and a Kenobi seems too far down the timeline to be accurate.

However, with the trailer for “The Last Jedi” that came out Oct. 9, it can be interpreted a different way. Luke Skywalker (played by Mark Hamill) seems afraid of Rey when he trains her. The only reason he would be afraid is if Rey (played by Daisy Ridley) had some ties to the dark side of the force. Although she is not dark at heart, she could have had parents who were part of the Empire before abandoning her on a junk planet. It might be why the new villain, Supreme Leader Snoke, would want her. Rey could have a dark side to her.

Even if Rey did have ties to the dark side, Luke says, “I only know one truth. It’s time for the Jedi to end …” It is a cryptic quote for someone who was the light of hope in the original films. Why would Luke say something like that when he is talking to Rey? Although it could be the end of the Jedi way, the path of good and the peace holders of the galaxy. It can be the start of a different path away from the light and dark side, a balance of both known as Gray Jedi.

The end of the Jedi could be the beginning of the Gray Jedi. In the legends of “Star Wars,” a Gray Jedi use both the light and dark side of the force. They walk between the lines of both not falling in any faction. Rey could possibly be the prodigy of the Gray Jedi, the balance of the force.

It leaves the title in question of who exactly the last Jedi truly is. There are only two people that it could possibly be, Luke or Rey, however it can also mean the end of the Jedi times. The title can be referring to Luke, as in “The Force Awakens” opening crawl there is a small part that says, “Luke Skywalker has vanished. In his absence, the sinister FIRST ORDER has risen from the ashes of the Empire and will not rest until Skywalker, the last Jedi, has been destroyed.”

It is a clear indication and reference to Luke being the last Jedi.

There is another moment in “Episode VI: Return of the Jedi” while Yoda is slowly dying, he tells Luke, “Luke, when gone am I … the last of the Jedi will you be.” The title is leading to Luke being the last Jedi for now. Rey is training with Luke so she can potentially become a Jedi.

Throwing out theories is always a great way to get excited for a new film, along with binge watching the entire saga before the release date. These are all speculations in the end, only the truth will be told on Dec. 15.