‘Star Wars: Episode 8’ Rumor: Darth Vader Appearance, Influence On Rey Hinted
Darth Vader is set to make another exciting appearance in Star Wars: Episode 8 – The Last Jedi, but not in the way that fans of the space opera were hoping.
The Jedi turned Sith Lord was supposed to be featured in Star Wars: Episode 7 – The Force Awakens specifically during Rey’s (Daisy Ridley) Force vision. However, it was decided that his appearance will be saved for the sequel instead.
The scene in question is the ultimate confrontation of Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and Darth Vader in Star Wars: Episode 5 – Empire Strikes Back, which led to the revelation that they are related.
According to ardent Star Wars watcher and YouTuber Mike Zeroh, Rey will see the father and son’s showdown in another Force vision she will have in Star Wars: Episode 8. The rotoscoping animation technique will be used to get the Darth Vader scenes needed and transferred in The Last Jedi.
Zeroh said that the Force vision of Rey in Star Wars: Episode 8 will be a lot shorter than the one in the previous film, and it is meant to simply enlighten her about Luke’s story and the tragedy that he went through.
Seeing Darth Vader once again in a brand new Star Wars film is always a welcome move for fans of the franchise despite the one in Star Wars: Episode 8 only in the form of rehashed footage. With the new movies set after the days of his reign, it is made almost impossible to bring Darth Vader back to the fold.
The fan-favorite villain was only recently featured in the spinoff Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, which showed the events just before Star Wars: Episode 4 – A New Hope.
Despite not appearing via brand new footage in The Last Jedi, Darth Vader is still an influential factor in the new saga as he is the motivation of his own grandson Ben Solo (Adam Driver), who intends to continue his dark legacy as Kylo Ren. In fact, he will be seen sporting a Vader-esque look in Star Wars: Episode 8.
However, it has been rumored that Darth Vader’s influence might also extend to heroine Rey. At the end of Star Wars: Episode 7 when she meets Luke, the classic Force Theme is played, but a Reddit user pointed out that a brief interlude of it sounded very much like the Imperial March aka the Darth Vader theme.
What this means for Star Wars: Episode 8 – The Last Jedi remains to be seen. However, with the teaser trailer dropping a bombshell about Luke wanting to end the Jedi and being a very different man from how he was decades ago, this has many wondering and even worried where his journey will take him.
The Redditor speculated that the music has to be telling fans something. The musical score in Star Wars has always been vital in the franchise, even in the storytelling aspect. Legendary composer John Williams is also known to be very particular when it comes to the tracks he creates for the films.
This has many believing that Luke and Rey’s meeting had a hint of darkness, and the music was teasing sinister times ahead in Star Wars: Episode 8 – The Last Jedi.
Some speculated that Luke might turn to the dark side or that Rey has some sort of connection to Anakin Skywalker. Others say that their encounter will begin new warfare in the galaxy come Star Wars: Episode 8 or the music was meant to be a reminder that Anakin was the first owner of the lightsaber, prompting Luke to remember every bad memory. For now, there is no way of knowing just yet.
As to how the Force vision will be triggered by Rey remains to be seen, although Zeroh said before that she would immediately have a Force vision during her first interaction with Luke in Star Wars: Episode 8 – The Last Jedi.
It has been established in the previous film that Rey and Luke had some sort of connection. It is unclear if this is simply a bond in the Force or a familial link.
Star Wars: Episode 8 – The Last Jedi hits the cinemas December 15.
[Featured Image by Disney and Lucasfilm]
