‘Star Wars: Episode VIII’ Director On Luke & Rey’s Relationship

Star Wars: The Force Awakens concluded with Rey finally discovering the whereabouts of Luke Skylwalker and sharing a silent but powerful exchange with the legendary Jedi. Fans have been anxiously waiting to see what the conversation between Luke and Rey will entail ever since and now director Rian Johnson has shed some light on the role both characters will play in the next chapter of the Star Wars saga. Speaking to USA Today, Johnson discussed his approach to both characters and the importance of their relationship.

Johnson explained why he wanted Star Wars: Episode VIII to pick up immediately from where The Force Awakens left off.

“I don’t want to skip ahead two years. I want to see the very next moment of what happens… part of what’s she’s [Rey] dealing with is the realization that she has this power and this gift. She’s taking her first step to coming to terms with this thing inside her that she never knew was there and is just starting to reveal its potential.”

USA Today also reports that Johnson comments on the importance of Luke and Rey’s relationship and how the film will explore Luke’s current situation.

“How Rey and Luke relate to each other is the key relationship in Episode VIII, and Johnson says “a large part of the movie” will be spent addressing why Luke’s there and what he’ll do next.”

Fans have spent the year since The Force Awakens was released speculating on the identity of Rey’s parents, with some arguing that Luke will likely be her father. However, it appears that regardless of whether or not Rey is in fact Luke’s daughter, the student/mentor relationship between both characters will be at the central point of the film.

Directed by Rian Johnson, Star Wars: Episode VIII stars Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie, Andy Serkis, Benicio del Toro, Laura Dern and Kelly Marie Tran.

Star Wars: Episode VIII will be released in theaters on December 15, 2017.

Source: USA Today (via Screen Rant)