The official title for Star Wars: Episode 8 is now Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
Announced on the official Star Wars site, The Last Jedi announcement was accompanied with the official title treatment, a new, red version of the Star Wars logo with The Last Jedi in white.
The announcement reads:
“We have the greatest fans in this or any other galaxy. In appreciation of the fans, we wanted them to be the first to know the title of the next chapter in the Skywalker saga: Star Wars: The Last Jedi.”
It's official. STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI is the next chapter of the Skywalker saga. This December. #TheLastJedi https://t.co/ySkVwQcMTP pic.twitter.com/eHrPgbsRJq
— Star Wars (@starwars) January 23, 2017
Just like with The Force Awakens, expect the “Episode” number to be downplayed on posters and in official marketing. From now on Episode VIII or IX or X will be more of a placeholder than a part of the actual title.
While certainly evocative, it’s not exactly clear who the last Jedi will be (and Jedi can be plural!). Presumably Luke, but by the end of the movie might be Rey? The title certainly doesn’t bode well for Luke Skywalker’s survival.
There’s also a surreptitious hint of sorts in the announcement, which describes Star Wars: The Last Jedi as “the next chapter in the Skywalker saga.” It was Lucasfilm president and Episode 8 producer Kathleen Kennedy who first drew a contrast between the Star Wars “Episode” movies and the Star Wars Story series launched by Rogue One by describing the main series as the ongoing “Skywalker family saga.” What does Rey have to do with the Skywalkers?
We should find out when Star Wars: Episode 8 The Last Jedi is released Dec. 15.
