At the end of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the Resistance and moviegoers learned that Luke Skywalker has been hiding for all these years on Ahch-To, but the only things revealed about that planet in the movie was that it's mostly covered in water and it was where the first Jedi Temple was located. Since Star Wars: The Last Jedi will spend a fair amount of time with Luke and Rey on Ahch-To, we'll learn more about what this world has to offer later this year, including one of its native creatures: the adorable porgs.
Unofficially identified a few months back, we got out first look at the Porgs in the Star Wars: The Last Jedi behind-the-scenes video screened at last weekend at D23, and StarWars.com has now officially confirmed what these creatures are called are and provided a few details about them. According to Lucasfilm Story Group's Pablo Hidalgo, the Porgs can be found on the cliffs of the island where Luke Skywalker and Rey are training in The Last Jedi. Described as the "Star Wars versions of puffins," they can fly, they build nests, they're naturally curious and their babies are called porglets. Director Rian Johnson came up with the name, and depending on the scene, the porgs are either operated as puppets or are entirely CGI. Hidalgo also addressed the positive fan reaction to the porgs following that one second of screen time in the D23 video, saying:
Ever since that roadside scavenger let out that belch outside Jabba's palace in Return of the Jedi, the idea that there's an entire animal kingdom living amid the drama and adventure of the Star Wars saga is a compelling one. Besides, porgs are cute. You fall into those deep, soulful eyes. I think a lot of people are going to want a porg as a pet.
Judging from Pablo Hidalgo's comments, it sounds like the cute porgs won't be key to The Last Jedi's grand story. However, when Making Star Wars reported on the porgs back in late April, it was noted that Luke Skywalker cares for them, and they have a connection with the Force. So unlike a lot of Star Wars aliens, who usually exist just to colorfully decorate the background, the porgs will be seen up close and interacting with the Jedi Master and his friends.
As great as it will be for Luke and Rey to have such adorable company on Ahch-To in The Last Jedi, the two of them will have more important things to do than pet the porgs. Now that she's found Luke, Rey will train with the Jedi Master to hone her Force skills. However, Luke has changed quite a bit since we last fully saw him in Return of the Jedi, and as teased in the firstLast Jedi trailer, he's now under the impression that it's time for the Jedi to end. It could be that he's truly had an epiphany about abandoning the Jedi ways...or maybe he's just grumpy and needs to snuggle with some porgs.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi hits theaters on December 15.
