Kathleen Kennedy lends more credence to “true” balance of the Force in VIII

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

More news keeps flowing from the STAR WARS Celebration going on right now. With STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI having just released its trailer, people have already sprung what feel like a million think-pieces and fan theories about what Luke means by his last line “I only know one truth…the Jedi…must end.” Chilling, right?

But what did he mean by that? Is it just his Robert McKee-mandated “refusal of call” shit, where he’s jaded by Kylo Ren’s turn, and must be pulled back from retirement by a plucky Rey? Or is it something deeper, as in maybe the arc of this trilogy is actually about upending the Jedi/Sith dichotomy, and challenging Jedi dogma? Maybe Luke will teach Rey to control and harness her emotions, rather than repress them? I mean, we’re already humanizing Stormtroopers with Finn, maybe we’re actually going to give a closer – and more critical – look at the Jedi’s philosophy?

Well, here’s what Kathleen Kennedy had to say in an exclusive interview with Fandango:

It’s really something that I think you’ll see that [Rian Johnson] takes these characters [and] develops their complexities. He’s not afraid to try things that move this into a more complex universe, and I think that’s great. I think that’s what [Star Wars] needs.

While certainly far from a confirmation, it does seem that the fact she keeps mentioning “complexity” – especially in terms of the universe itself – that the films might actually be taking chances with the mythos. I mean, while people decry Disney for being too safe (which is a more than valid criticism), the fact is they did SPOILER kill off all the main characters in ROGUE ONE, so it’s not like they’re that safe. We’ll obviously have to wait until the film comes out to know for sure, but this gives me hope that they may move past the simple black-and-white morality of the previous trilogies.

As for if the films, post-IX, will continue to focus on the Skywalker clan, Kennedy was a bit more hesitant:

I certainly foresee movies past nine…Whether or not we carry on the Skywalker saga… you know, George always intended nine movies, and whether we continue that or not is something we’re talking about right now. If the story warrants it, we’ll absolutely do it. If it actually inspires new ideas, then we’ll probably head in that direction. We just don’t know yet.

As long as they avoid the Yuuzhan Vong, I’ll be happy.

Meanwhile, STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI will be Forcing its way into theaters December 15th, 2017.