Poor Luke Skywalker is dead. He passed in the closing minutes of Star Wars: The Last Jedi after Force-projecting himself clear across the galaxy, thereby giving the remnants of the Resistance an opportunity to escape the clutches of the First Order. This came to the disappointment of many fans, who felt that he was under-utilized in the movie, but that’s not to say that Luke’s presence, or lack thereof, won’t have a role to play in it all.

Speaking with io9, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker producer Michelle Rejwan was asked about how his passing weighs on Leia and Rey in the final Skywalker saga film.”

“It’s interesting because part of what makes Episode IX unique to the trilogy is, for the first time, it really is on our new generation’s shoulders,” Rejwan told the outlet. “The stakes have never been bigger and the question, thematically, was very important to Chris and J.J. of rising up to that challenge when you don’t have the mentors you once did and the guidance. It’s kind of the classic metaphor of coming of age and growing up and stepping out into that larger world on your own. Have you assimilated the knowledge, the lessons, your own values, and your own choices, that will inform that and not only inform who you are the stakes and fate of the galaxy as well? So that feels actually quite appropriate for this movie.”

RELATED – Leaked Plots For Star Wars And Wonder Woman 84 And Why This New Trend Is Worrying [NO SPOILERS]

Of course, while Leia may still be around, actor Carrie Fisher has since passed, so her role in the story has to be pretty limited. This means that the original guard of the franchise is pretty much gone. Yes, Lando may be brought in and Luke may be a Force Ghost, but the foundation isn’t there completely as it used to be, and I think that’s a good thing.

For too long, I think the franchise has been resting on established characters, settings, and tropes, and I think I’m ready to see the training wheels get taken off.

What do you think of Rejwan’s comments? Let us know your thoughts down below

Don’t forget to share this post on your Facebook wall and with your Twitter followers! Just hit the buttons on the top of this page.

—–

Have you checked out LRM Online’s official podcast feed yet The LRM Online Podcast Network, which includes our flagship podcast Los Fanboys, our premiere podcast Breaking Geek Radio: The Podcast, and our morning show LRMornings? Check it out by listening below. It’s also available on all your favorite podcast apps!

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts |  Spotify  |  SoundCloud | Stitcher | Google Play

SOURCE: io9