A long time ago (last week I think) In a galaxy far, far way(@PinewoodStudios ) THIS happened! Happy Birthday Daisy! pic.twitter.com/dYc9j65YBD
— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) April 10, 2016
Ever since the end of The Force Awakens, as Rey stood on Ach-To, arm outstretched to Luke Skywalker with lightsaber in hand, we’ve all been wondering just how their relationship will play out. That’s not only because Luke is still one of the major players in the running for who could be Rey’s family, but because Luke’s clearly going through some stuff. That’s going to throw a wrench into all of our Luke-as-Obi-Wan dreams, Jedi beard notwithstanding.
Entertainment Weekly just kicked off the first part of a new round of press for Star Wars: The Last Jedi, and it focuses on who this new Luke Skywalker is and how it’ll affect his relationship with Rey. After all, she already had her Obi-Wan moment with none other than Han Solo in the first movie, which Daisy Ridley mentioned as she talked about how Luke’s demeanor impacts Rey: “‘Oh my God, this other man that I lost within a couple days was somewhat of a father figure. Now he’s gone, and instead I’m with this grumpy guy on an island who doesn’t want me here.'”
That’s a big difference from the original trilogy, in which Obi-Wan was happy to take Luke under his wing, and Yoda was only slightly more standoffish. Though Luke and Obi-Wan both went through the pain of having their apprentice turn to the dark side and exiling themselves, it seems like Luke’s not handling that guilt quite as well as his old friend. As Luke continues to sort himself out, it seems as though he and Rey will help each other both to become who they’re destined to be.
Mark Hamill, who thought a lot about his character’s backstory in preparation to take up this new version of the role, had some thoughts to share that make it sound like Luke’s still figuring out his purpose after all he’s gone through, especially post-Return of the Jedi: “I think he probably looks out on the horizon and wishes that he could be more effective, could be what Obi-Wan wanted him to be.”
Meanwhile, as EW’s article tells it, Rey has arrived on Ach-To to bring the legend she’s heard so much about back into the fight, but it doesn’t seem like that’s going to work out. She’s not really there to be a hero, and he’s not so much into being a teacher, but something tells me their clashing wills are going to help both of them adjust to their new roles.
I’m very much looking forward to seeing the characters really come out onscreen in the conflict between the mismatched pair. As Hamill put it, “Life is imperfect and without conflict there is no drama. Believe me, you’re going to see a lot of conflict in The Last Jedi. That is for sure.”
(via io9, featured image: Entertainment Weekly)
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