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SPECULATION The Three Act Structure Applied to TLJ

Discussion in 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi' started by robotical712, Jul 24, 2017.

  1. robotical712

    robotical712 Rebel Commander

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    Here is the second draft of my screenplay prediction. Mostly, it incorporates what we learned from the EW articles and ideas I had since the first version. The biggest gap right now is what specifically happens in the first half of the second act on Ahch-To.

    Act I
    The first act is an exploration and deconstruction of Luke as a legend. Rey has heard grandiose stories about his exploits and TFA built him up as a messiah. It's with these expectations that Rey (and us) first encounter him.

    Stage 1: Setup

    The opening is tricky since TFA ended on a cliffhanger. Traditionally, all Star Wars movies open in space, but that can't really be done for Ahch-To. With Finn still in a coma and Kylo en route to Snoke, it's also unlikely to open with an attack on D'Qar. Given the tradition of opening with a Star Destroyer in the shot, he natural place to start is with Kylo going to Snoke. TLJ will likely follow tradition and pan down (or up) to a First Order Star Destroyer with Kylo's shuttle emerging and going to Snoke's Super Star Destroyer. There gold-robed Snoke will chew him out for his failure on Starkiller and tell him they need to find Luke and Rey quickly. Snoke will order Kylo to join the attack on the Resistance at D'Qar and to bring the map to him. Kylo probably throws a tantrum when he's away from Snoke.

    Next up is D'Qar. With Finn in a coma, he's the perfect expy for reminding the audience of what happened in a movie many of them last saw two years ago. He also needs to be back on his feet so the rest of the movie's action can happen. So, we'll see Finn wake up, have a brief scene with Poe and get a quick recap of what happened and whats about to happen. Finn will naturally want to know about Rey, which nicely sets up the next scene. In the mean time, the rest of the Resistance is preparing to evacuate and many surviving ships from the New Republic have joined them. Admiral Holdo will appear and talk to Leia and then she and Poe will head to orbit.

    Finally, we go to Ahch-To and watch what we've all been waiting two years for. As shown in the BTS reel, Luke does go to and accepts the lightsaber. He senses he knows her, but dismisses it as a delusion (1). Rey tells him she's there on behalf of Leia and they need him. Shocking her, Luke hands back the lightsaber and tells her he can't and walks away. Despite Rey's pleas and arguments, Luke shuts himself in a hut, telling her to leave, and the main challenge will become apparent.

    Inciting Incident

    After the introduction to Ahch-To the plot will shift to defining the main conflict - Luke's in despair. His statement that the Jedi must end will serve to underline just how defeated he feels.

    Stage 2: New Situation

    Frustrated and needing to regroup, Rey goes back to the Falcon. On her way, she notices a large sea creature menacing what appear to be a number of bird-like creatures and their nests. Feeling compelled to act, Rey intervenes and fends off the sea creature gaining the gratitude of the birds (Porgs). It turns out Luke has also witnessed her defense of the Porgs and she's earned his grudging respect and curiosity. Luke tells her she can spend the night with him if she wants, but needs to leave in the morning.

    D'Qar:
    On D'Qar, the Resistance is frantically trying to leave before the First Order arrives. With their location known, the First Order is going to waste no time attempting to wipe out the only remaining organized opposition to their domination of the galaxy. Leia will ask Finn to perform a mission on behalf of the Resistance, but Finn will initially turn it down, wanting to find Rey and get away from the conflict. While waiting for a ship, Finn will meet Rose who is in awe of him and talks about how she wishes she could be like him and her sister, a bomber pilot in the Resistance. Surprised by the attention and not wanting to disappoint her, Finn plays along claiming he's going on a mission from Leia.
    At this point, the First Order arrives and begins their attack forcing Finn to leave on a transport with Rose who's excited to be on a mission with the now-legendary Finn. Rose and Finn frantically evade First Order TIEs, but make it to hyperspace and head to Canto-Bight. In space, Poe will attempt to board his X-Wing on Home-One, but it will get destroyed before he can. Poe meets Admiral Holdo and they lead the fleet into hyperspace with the FO fleet in pursuit. While this is happening, Kylo will arrive (likely with friends) and infiltrate the base in search of the map. Leia and him see each other from a distance and share a look before events force them apart again. Kylo will succeed in obtaining the map and leave, but instead of returning to Snoke, he will head straight for Ahch-To.

    Plot Point 1: Change of Plans

    Up to this point, Luke has been steadily humanized as a person. Now, an event will take place that fundamentally transforms his and Rey's relationship. Towards the end of stage 2, Rey will experience a Forceback similar to the one at Maz's castle showing the major events in Luke's past from most recent to earliest (it's possible Luke himself shows her it). The last part of the vision will be of the most painful event of Luke's life - losing his daughter, Rey. The shot of Rey collapsing from the teaser is likely the immediate aftermath. The vision will also leave Rey thinking Kylo was the one to abandon her.

    Act II: Confrontation
    Where Rey approached Luke as a legend in Act 1, she now approaches him as her father.

    Stage 3: Progress

    The first stage of Act II will consist of the reunion of Rey with her father, Luke. It will be during this stage that an ecstatic Luke shows her what he's learned about the Force (anything about the 'Chosen One' will be in this stage) and when the scene with Rey swinging her father's old lightsaber (now passed to her) takes place. (2) It's likely we'll hear a bit about Rey's mother as well. It will seem like Rey is getting everything she ever wanted and the goal of bringing Luke into the fight will appear within reach. Their reunion will be interrupted, however, when they sense Kylo and his friends arrive. Based on third party reports, it's likely Kylo's fighter is somehow brought down, while his comrades shuttle lands intact. Further, it appears the new arrivals attack the heroes, with Kylo going after Rey and his friends attacking Luke (who easily defeats them). This signals the arrival of the 'turning point'.

    Canto-Bight:
    (3) Rose and Finn arrive on Canto-Bight and set about finding their lead, DJ, at the Casino. They find him, but catch him in the act of defrauding or stealing from the casino and he runs. Finn and Rose find one of the 'horses' used for racing and give chase. A long chase insues ending in all three's arrest by Canto-Bight security forces. They talk to DJ, who promises to help if they can break him (and themselves out). They manage to do so and reach DJ's ship.

    Resistance Fleet:
    Poe, Leia and Admiral Holdo discuss what to do next and their discussion gets increasingly heated. The admiral will likely favor a direct confrontation or possibly surrender, while Leia and Poe will argue for finding a place to consolidate or to continue the fight.

    Midpoint: Turning Point

    Kylo arrives, but is shot down and crash-lands. Luke tells Rey not to fight Kylo, but Rey is overcome by intense anger from what she thinks her cousin did to her and confident from her previous vision attacks him anyway. Kylo has his henchmen attack Luke, who easily dispatches them without a Lightsaber. In the mean time Kylo and Rey spar and she accuses him of taking her from her from Luke. Kylo tells her he didn't abandon her, he tried to save her and Luke was the one who left her. This wrecks Rey's concentration and Kylo manages to force her over a cliff and then runs. Luke is forced to rescue Rey (who never learned to swim) and let him get away.

    Stage 4: Complications and Higher Stakes

    Luke pulls Rey from the water and the two return to Luke's hut, where Rey adopts her new look. (Symbolically, her submersion represents a baptism and the change in attire her transition to adulthood). The two go looking for Kylo (who possibly sets fire to the tree to get their attention). Knowing Kylo wants her alive, Luke allows Rey to be separated from him and Kylo takes the bait, cornering Rey in a cave (the waterfall scene with Kylo in the trailer). Luke appears, and easily subdues Kylo. They bring him back to the village and restrain him. Luke leaves Rey with him to save the temple. While Luke is away, Kylo starts talking to her about their respective pasts and shared heritage, eventually leading to Rey entering Kylo's memories (aided by their blood-driven Force connection).

    Canto-Bight:
    DJ agrees to help Finn and Rose get what they need to infiltrate the First Order and obtain the security codes they need. With DJ helping remotely, the two make it aboard a FO Star Destroyer and get what they need, but things quickly go wrong and they're discovered. In a running fight, they make it to a hanger bay and wreck many of the ships there. It looks like they'll get away, but Phasma and a contingent of stormtroopers enter and engage them. Although they're able to dispatch the stormtroopers with quick thinking, Phasma engages Finn in one on one melee combat. Phasma will probably gain the upper hand at some point, but forget about Rose, who distracts her long enough for Finn to recover. Finn takes off her arm and likely kills her. While this is happening, the destroyer has joined the fleet attacking Crait.

    Resistance Fleet:
    The dispute between Poe, Leia and Holdo has come to a head and Holdo has Leia removed from the bridge (possibly imprisoned or confined to quarters). Realizing he needs to act now, Poe gathers loyal Resistance members and stages a mutiny, seizing the bridge. He has Leia released and leads the fleet to Crait, where a significant number of surviving Republic forces have regrouped.

    Plot Point 2: Major Setback

    In a second Forceback, Rey experiences Kylo's memories in ascending chronological order. During it, she sees things from Kylo's perspective, including the effects of her disappearance. She also sees one of her own memories - Luke leaving her on a desert planet. Crucially, she (and we) can't tell which desert planet, but she assumes it's Jakku. At the end of the vision, she sees her father in a very different light and it devastates her (3). Luke returns and she accuses him of abandoning her and the rest of his family. Unleashing years of grief and frustration, Luke loses control for a moment as he emotionally denies it and unleashes a massive display of the Force, wrecking the hut they're in. Rey and Kylo are unharmed, but Rey is now terrified as well. Deciding her family wasn't worth the fourteen years she spent waiting, she decides her real place is with her friends. Abandoning her family, as she believes they once abandoned her, she boards the Falcon and leaves her father and cousin behind. Overcome by emotion himself, Luke doesn't try to stop her or Kylo from leaving soon after. Kylo has a chance to kill Luke, who's too overcome by grief to defend himself, but can't bring himself to do it. Kylo takes his dead companions' shuttle and leaves Luke alone and stranded once again.

    Act 3: Resolution
    Stage 5: Final Push

    Rey learns the Resistance is on Crait and heads there before the FO fleet arrives. She tells Leia bitterly that Luke isn't coming. Leia, sensing her her niece's distress, immediately leaves for Ahch-To herself. The FO fleet arrives and engages the orbiting fleet. Finn and Rose also escape the SD they're aboard and head to Crait, perhaps while ground forces are being deployed. Severely outnumbered and outgunned, the Resistance sends its forces to meet the FO, using the bombers to create a screen from the dust. The battle begins and Rey assists in bringing down several walkers before seeing Kylo, who engages her.

    Climax

    On Ahch-To, Leia lands and finds a thoroughly dispirited Luke. During a brief conversation, Leia reminds him that she lost her son to the dark side, but he hasn't lost Rey yet and still has a chance with her.

    As a preface, it's very difficult to see how the movie ends any other way than Rey going with Kylo. With Luke's imminent return, Kylo returning empty handed would be an unmitigated disaster from Snoke's perspective and make Kylo look not only completely ineffectual, but also more of a liability than asset. The villains would be on the back-foot going into IX.

    The Resistance is putting up a brave, but futile fight. The FO's firepower is overwhelming and they're steadily pushed back or destroyed. Locked in a stalemate with Kylo, Rey offers herself in return for the lives of her friends. Shocked, Kylo agrees and orders the attack stopped. Kylo takes her lightsaber and Rey to a shuttle as Finn and Poe watch, stunned. As their shuttle lifts off, Hux, at Snoke's urging orders the ground attack to resume, dismaying Kylo and panicking Rey. She calms however as she senses a powerful and familiar presence nearby.

    Stage 6: Aftermath

    As the FO presses its attack, a figure appears on the horizon. Figuring one person isn't a threat, the FO troops ignore him until one of their walkers is impossibly picked up and thrown into another. The FO turns all of it's weapons on the lone figure and begins firing. The figure, Luke, uses the Force to block and divert everything thrown at him as he methodically wrecks the FO forces without ever igniting his lightsaber. In the aftermath, the mood is somber. Luke turned the tide of the battle, but the Resistance's losses are massive and the loss of Rey is a bitter blow. Content with his prize, Snoke withdraws and welcomes Rey as Kylo brings her to him.

    The movie ends with Luke looking out of a ship's window with Leia in a callback to ESB, sad, but determined looks on their faces as they prepare to go after their missing children.

    Notes:
    1: I think Luke's initial inability to sense who she or dismissal of it is will be used to signal just how clouded his mind has become. He's become unable to hear or believe what the Force is telling him.

    2: My initial instinct was to place these before the Force vision, but Luke watching Rey and teaching her about what he's learned about the Force is inconsistent with the despairing mood he apparently has in the beginning. It would also delay getting to the heart of the movie, which is Luke and Rey reuniting. Therefore, it makes more sense to expect it after the first Forceback.

    3: If this seems to be throwing Luke under a bus, remember the characters are only acting based on their perceptionsand what they know. Whether Luke is actually guilty of anything doesn't matter; what matters is that Rey and Kylo think he is. IX will be where Rey (and we) get the full story.
     
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  2. Darth Basin The Greatest

    Darth Basin The Greatest Rebel Official

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    Hear hear!
     
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  3. RefrigeratorVader

    RefrigeratorVader Rebelscum

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    This is fantastic! Of all of the recent theories that I've read over the past several weeks and months, this is my favorite by a long shot. This is not only a very "Star Wars" way for this story to go down, but it is also the only theory I've read so far that wouldn't be either tragically disappointing or fairly divisive for fans of the series.

    Which is why, unfortunately, I don't think that this is as accurate a representation of what we'll get as I might prefer.

    Not because I think what we'll get will be bad, per se; I just think that the filmmakers are doing their darndest to avoid predictability (and also to avoid giving the fans what they really want for some weird reason -- I'm starting to think that they hate us more than we hate us). However, I'd love to be proven wrong; and if even half of what you've written here ends up on screen in December, I'll likely be a pretty happy fanboy.

    Well done!
     
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  4. Darth Basin The Greatest

    Darth Basin The Greatest Rebel Official

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    U can so c it in RJ's eyes when he's asked questions about Rey. It's the look of a deceiver. He's thinking "ha ha, i can't wait until the fans find out that Rey is (anything but a birth Skywalker)".

    Sorry if i went O.T.
     
  5. robotical712

    robotical712 Rebel Commander

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    Thanks!

    If they do what I'm predicting here, I think it will incredibly divisive until IX. We'll be led to believe Luke deliberately abandoned his own daughter on Jakku. Second, Kylo will come off looking a lot more sympathetic and the OT3 questionable.
     
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  6. BaranDo91

    BaranDo91 Rebelscum

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    Most, interesting. Nice breakdown of the three-act structure. It is very helpful as it helps educate those who may not familiar with that. As such, I shall address your points.

    1) I like the opening sequence is that is very SWs. Though, a part of me wishes the movie just opens with Luke and Rey. But hey, build atmosphere.

    2) Rey being Luke's daughter: I really hope that isn't the case. On one hand, SWs in terms of the trilogy is one giant soap box when you break it down. But really, I want Rey to stand on her own two feet. The leaving Luke and Kylo for her friends was a nice touch as it homages Luke leaving Dagobah, but really; Rey's desire to search for her past should be the crux of the movie.

    And while getting it out of the way could work, if RJ is smart, he will treat Rey's questioning of who she is much like Po from Kung Fu panda 2; a major plot element to which permeates the entire movie and challenges the character. Regardless, Rey's development is what I am focused on. NOT who she is. And the development seems fine. But the same effect could be achieved without the Luke's daughter bit.


    3) I liked the stuff with Poe, Leia and Holdo and their conflict. That stuff makes sense, given what we have been given and no doubt; these moments would add a lot to Poe and Leia. How, I see it; this stuff might be pushed a bit more due to Carrie Fisher's death as a setup for either Holod or Poe taking over the Resistance.

    4) Luke in a different light; that bit makes sense and his distrust/ cyncism towards helping is fine. BUT, I really hope he isn't so grumpy during the movie. Other wise, he just comes off as Yoda 2.0. He should feel dismayed, but ultimately should pick himself up or see Rey's dilemma and her willingness as the spark to pick himself up. This being that he was in her same shoes at one point. And heck, have Luke leave Ach-too a lot sooner with Rey.

    5) The Crait, Canto Bight and everything else was on point. And I could see RJ actually pulling that as a bit of a reversal. And Rey leaving is a good tactic, as I could see RJ pulling that as a homage to ESB/ marking a different turn with the franchise.

    6) Your screenplay works on a structurally level, but it leaves out a lot of the First Jedi temple. Really, I argue that the FJ temple is going to play a big role, given how Luke went to this planet for answers. I am hoping it is like Legend of Korra Second Season where the stuff with expanding the lore/ mythos plays a much larger role/ hints at something bigger.

    There is another movie, but really, TLJ shouldn't be like TFA where it continues to mystery box. Payoff, insight on most of the stuff would be nice.

    Verdict:

    Your post was well researched and put together. I want to make that very clear, as I can tell you worked very hard. But really, I do not see TLJ actually going down a good chunk. If I was to make a percentage, I'd say 50% you possibly nailed. A generalization, but we won't know until the movie/ more footage comes out.

    In short, I enjoyed your excise. Even if, the ideas, speculation, you put forward isn't to my liking. :)
     
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  7. robotical712

    robotical712 Rebel Commander

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    Thanks for your comments! I've replied to a few of your objections:

    2) I see this sentiment a lot, and I honestly don't understand it. It doesn't matter who a person's parents are, they're still their own person. In any case, Rey's entire plot arc revolves around her inability to forge an identity beyond her missing family, which is a crucial part of entering adulthood. Since she's never formed the basics of an identity usually provided by family, she must do this before she can move on to learning it's only part of who she is. In other words, she is still metaphorically five (and Kylo is still metaphorically a teenager). Her change in appearance is likely to mark a transition from the innocence of childhood to adulthood.

    Second, Rey is not the only one with a character arc, Luke, Leia and Kylo/Ben also have one that revolves around family to a large degree. Luke's nephew betrayed him, Leia never came to terms with her heritage and Ben has completely rejected his own family. As the protagonist, she must tie into each's resolution which will be nigh impossible if she has no relation.

    4) Luke isn't grumpy for the entire movie in my screenplay attempt, he runs a gamut of emotions and states which are tied directly to his relationship with Rey. As convincing Luke to rejoin the fight is the main 'conflict' of the movie, that won't be resolved until the climax.

    6) This was my best attempt based on available information (several key moments in acts 1 and 2 are based on leaks) and my rather extensive background theory. Act 3 is a bit of an extrapolation based partially on BTS shots and plot demands. The section with Luke was admittedly fan fiction on my part (but I want to see something like it, damn it!).
     
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  8. BaranDo91

    BaranDo91 Rebelscum

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    You are very welcome. Now, allow me to rebuttal each of your points.

    2) I disagree. Just because a cool legacy doesn't make a character interesting. It is a series of distinct traits, and a motivation that make a character, a character. Your entire plot is solid, but I find the exact same thing can be achieved without having Rey being related to Luke at all. Kung Fu Panda 2 is my prime example. Po whole dilemma was being unable to forge his own identity. For granted, Rey's dilemma does differ in that she has been waiting for her family and Po's was that he really didn't give it much thought. But still, that thematic aspect can still be achieved without Rey being a Skywalker. Heck, your PP1 change of plans could very easily be where Rey sees Luke did something shady and dubious, like actually removing her away from her folks and forcing her on Jakku? Or even Luke abandoning her folks, assuming they are just normal Jedi, and taking her.

    Rey being a Skywalker is lazy and uninspired storytelling. And while I give credit for you trying, your turn of events of how she accepted self-identity is really contrived and really just shrinking the universe. The same effect could be achieved as follows:

    She is a Skywalker, but NOT what you'd think. The whole twist of Rey being a Skywalker is revealed when she finds out that she had no folks: she was a clone of Luke. It would add a familiar dynamic that you mentioned, but also be daring to explore more thematic elements of family. Whether or not blood relations define what it means to be one. Assuming the clone idea, is what you go with. But even that idea of family can be achieved without it.

    As for Rey being a child, and her identity I will partially agree. On one hand, Rey being a blank slate; does enable the sort of development you have mentioned with not knowing what it means to have an identity. But to purport she is the age of five is facile. She clearly had an identity: a scavenger on the planet of Jakku. That thematically relating to her own struggle of trying to piece together her identity.

    But certainly, she isn't a child. She clearly knew what she wanted: to go back to Jakku and wait for her family. And as dumb as that sounds, her reasons are understandable as she was roped into the adventure without really wanting to go. And clearly was scared of what laid beyond her. This movie needs to showcase her moving on and actually figuring stuff out and determining if the truth of her situation is even worth it. Kylo Ren being a teenager, I agree only because like a teen; he is trying to forge his own identity by mirroring someone else. Only to realize, he cannot do so and must do his own.

    Your point on Kylo, Leia's character arcs are fine. But arguably, they can be made stronger with Rey WITHOUT being a Skywalker due to being that outside factor that is able to shed light. Having her being a member diminishes that as it is basically saying only a Skywalker can solve problems of another Skywalker. And really, that is just the OT all over again.

    If the ST wants to stand on its own two feet, it needs to be bold and not fall into this pit trap. And I am sorry, your screenplay does NOT accomplish that at all. And in fact, it is really something I doubt Rian Johnson would do, having attended plenty of his screenwriting lessons way back. And assuming he isn't an ESB fanboy, he will want to provide something challenging, but still in the realm of SWs.


    3) Disagree. For granted, at least he leaves and there is a humanization which I will give you credit. But basically, he is the same effect as Yoda. He can be disillusioned and even cynical: heck the Jedi must end is the epitome of that. But really, Luke should be able to pull himself up. He went to Ach-too for a solution, unlike Yoda who basically just fled and abandoned everyone.

    The main conflict SHOULDN"T be convincing Luke to join the fight. Rather, it needs to be about whether or not Luke Skywalker can make an impact on the conflict, given his situation, and make things right. Now, for granted; we do not know why Luke really stepped away, outside the Jedi temple being destroyed. But assuming Luke stepped away to maintain the balance in the Force; it would be more impactful if Luke stepped into the conflict early and tried to sort things out because it would showcase that he ISN"T repeating the same mistakes as Yoda. That as bad as his mistakes were with Kylo, he can move past them and is willing to set things right, in spite of his own problems. And that can easily be built up with his training with Rey/ being reminded of his own plight he had when he was younger. And that yeah; things are impossible, but much like he had done years before; there is always a silver lining. And that he can still make a difference.


    Really, what I see RJ doing is doing some of the more dubious attempts, but also challenging preconceptions with the idea of the Force and the Jedi. Specifically, with the history of the First Jedi temple. And also, challenging the idea that Luke Skywalker would not stay miserable for far too long. Rather, him dealing with his actions as the movie progresses in a proactive way.






    4) An admirable attempt piecing together information, but given it is scant information, your screenplay itself clearly showcases that, even beyond the third act. More information about the movie's plot is needed and that can be gleaned from a trailer. Because even the line: "The Jedi must end" is context sensitive. And really, is just a rabbit hole in terms of formulating anything concrete.

    The first Jedi temple is a prime example. I have a strong hunch it is going to play a big role. Hence, the Legend of Korra comparison. And your story barely touches it. Because, if the point of the movie is Luke's disillusionment with the Jedi, then what caused it? It just cannot be Kylo's betrayal.

    It should be something more, connected to that past.

    Verdict:

    In short, I appreciate the intelligence and rationale behind your points. But really, I do not think that this is going to be what the movie entails. Heck, if anything, it is going to be something really strange and weird as if Looper is any indicator; RJ likes to toss his audiences for a Loop(pardon the bad pun :) ).
     
    #28 BaranDo91, Sep 22, 2017
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  9. Lazlo

    Lazlo Rebel Official

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    Great speculation here, but I'm going to go in a slightly different direction.

    Broadly, the three acts are introducing the characters , putting them into an impossible situation, and then getting them out of it.

    As far as the opening scene, it will definitely be a pan to a ship. It's how you immediately set the tone that this is a space opera. Kylo being taken to Snoke: Brief and probably no more than 90 seconds, with just enough dialogue to remind us that there are bad guys who are the raison d'etre for our heroes. Snoke tells Kylo in person that his real training is about to start.

    Then we get a wipe transition to Rey and Luke.

    Luke is reluctant based on his failures and what he has learned about the true nature of the force. Yoda will make an appearance after many years of silence to convince Luke to train Rey, just as Obi Wan did with Yoda.

    The training scenes will be dark and mystical.

    Meanwhile: Evacuation from D'Qar and the Canto Bight story line.

    The impossible situation would be a massive attack by the FO against a decimated Republic and Resistance. My guess is that the Finn/Rose mission, along with the reappearance of Luke, will be what gets them out of the crisis.

    Given Johnson's penchant for the dramatic and unexpected, taken with the numerous statements that this is a "different" movie, I don't think that we can reasonably anticipate what happens other than the locations where the story unfolds, Ach-To, the FO SSD, Canto Bight, Crait.

    A couple of questions I have regarding what we know for sure: Luke is not actually alone on the island as we have the force monks/nuns. I am thinking that maybe he has decided, based on the only truth that the Jedi must end, is that the lesson from the first Force temple is that this is supposed to be an internal philosophy and overt action using the Force is a distraction and by definition leads to abuses. Christianity is fine until you use it to launch a crusade. Example: The Knights Templar. There is a similar but more mystical theme in Buddhism, which is clearly appropriate in the Star Wars context. It is generally held as a truth that powers such as levitation and bi-location are a side effect of deep meditation and enlightened states, but are a dangerous, or at least a fruitless and distracting path to take. This reluctant anti-hero Luke is the character that Mark Hamill fundamentally disagreed with on every count. When he reluctantly decides to re-engage, he will be terrifying. Think about Galadriel revealing her true form to Frodo in The Fellowship of the Ring. Recall the comments from Oscar Isaac that seeing the scenes with Luke was a fulfillment of all of your imaginary ideas of what Luke could become. Just like Galadriel refused the ring because she was wise enough to fear her own power, Luke feels the same way and while his actions will save the day, they will not be without the dire consequences that he feared. I also think that this will reveal that Snoke was off the mark in wanting to find and destroy Luke Skywalker, and that quest is what ultimately guarantees his demise. In epic storytelling, powerful characters are always a victim of their own hubris.

    I can't really guess further, because the whole saga is about the Skywalker family. Unless we know if the Skywalker story arc ends in 9, then we can't backfill the holes. I have a hunch that if Rey is not a Skywalker, then the whole shebang ends with Luke's ultimate victory in death. Think King Arthur and Avalon. That being said, I do actually believe that Rey is a Skywalker (Solo) if for no other reason than Daisy Ridley said that she was surprised that there was actually a question about Rey's parentage because it was obvious to her in TFA. Cue the immediate connection between Rey and Han, and the hug between Leia and Rey.

    Bloodline and the age difference between Ben and Rey provides the key clue. Leia could sense the influence of Snoke and took extraordinary measures to protect her second child. The twist could be that Han never knew he had a second child and Rey hates Luke for convincing Leia to hide that fact from her father, thus denying Rey the family she had always waited for.
     
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