When the title for Star Wars: The Last Jedi was officially announced, fan excitement immediately turned into speculation over the precise meaning of the term “Last Jedi.” Questions on whether or not the term Jedi was plural or singular and, in the event that it was singular, which character was being referred to dominated fan conversations. In an interview with Vanity Fair, director Rian Johnson and Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy addressed the mystery surrounding the film’s title.
Refusing to comment of the meaning of the title, Kennedy revealed it was designed to be vague.
“That’s actually what’s interesting about the title, and very intentionally ambiguous.”
Johnson explained that he came up with the title before he had written the script.
“That was the very first thing, when I had not even written the script. When I was coming up with the story, I had that title. So I’ve had that title in my head now for years. I was so terrified that someone would guess it—it seemed like an obvious title. Every time a fake title would leak, I would hold my breath and click on the link and be like, “Oh no, did they get it?” But luckily, we were able to put it out clean.”
Restating his previous comments on how he considers the term Jedi to be singular, Johnson played coy when asked if the title referred to Luke or Rey.
“I never thought that was going to be the question. I guess partially because the answer—and this is going to sound like I’m being coy, but I swear I’m not—is, you do have to see the movie. It’s not as simple as saying, “It’s this person—ha-ha!” It is a little more complicated than that. I guess I can say this, that when—no, I’m not going to say anything.”
Johnson did explained that, at least at one point during the Star Wars saga, the title refers to Luke.
“One would think, let’s say this, that at the end of Episode VII it refers to Luke, because of the notion that this religion has died out and he is the last of them.”
Much like Johnson, I never expected the meaning of the title to dominate fan discussions to this extent. However, as long as the creative minds behind the film continue to play coy, it appears the debate will continue until the film is released in December.
Written and directed by Rian Johnson, Star Wars: The Last Jedi stars Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie and Andy Serkis. Introduced to the Star Wars saga are newcomers Laura Dern, Kelly Marie Tran and Benicio del Toro.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi will be released in theaters on December 15, 2017.
Source: Vanity Fair