For what it's worth, this is not our fault but the Internet's fault. Back in 1980, the only way that THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK could have been spoiled for you was by word of mouth or reading something in a print publication. It was easier to avoid spoilers back in the day, but now every website and news source can ruin a movie with almost no warning.
We here at JoBlo.com want to preserve your film experience, but we also owe it to you to cover breaking news that could alter a film in countless ways. That being said, what you are about to read is not just a rumor but could be a major spoiler. And when I say major spoiler, I mean this could potentially be the biggest spoiler in the history of spoilers.
It concerns the villain in STAR WARS: EPISODE VII and I will not say anything more than that. If you really want to know what it is, scroll past Luke in Jabba's Palace below.
Still with me? Okay. So, that photo was not an accident. This spoiler comes courtesy of Making Star Wars who have been piecing together intel from photos tweeted by J.J. Abrams along with production art we have seen like the Sith Inquisitors. We have also been hearing rumors about an old AT-AT walker being used as a home for a character on a Hoth-like planet, but this latest scoop involves the production art showing a cyborg-like villain in a familiar cloak.
The breakdown of their scoop is lengthy and you can read it all here, but the jist of it comes at the conclusion that the Daisy Ridley character, Kira, on her way to meet Luke Skywalker, battles with this villainous cyborg.
So why does “Kira” appear to give up? The reason for her resignation? The cyborg is none other than Luke Skywalker. The revelation beats “Kira” and her quest becomes hopeless. She resigns herself to joining the figure who is the opposite of what she hoped to find. The evil she sought to vanquish with the power of Luke Skywalker, is Luke Skywalker.
That's right. Like his father before him, this rumor supposes that Mark Hamill will be the bad guy in STAR WARS: EPISODE VII. If this ends up being true, this will be one of the biggest chances any franchise has ever taken. In the novels and comics, Luke has always grappled with balancing the two sides of the Force, even in RETURN OF THE JEDI. But, to actually bring this to fruition could be staggering to fans new and old.
Keep in mind, this is entirely a rumor, but one that numerous sites are substantiating in one way or another. We likely will not know for sure if this is true ourselves until December 18, 2015. Until then, take this for what it is worth.