Even though Star Wars: The Force Awakens brought back Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford back into the galaxy far, far away, it wasn't like the Original Trilogy days where the trio spent a lot of time together. While Han Solo and Leia Organa did reunite during The Force Awakens, Luke Skywalker didn't fully appear until the movie's final minutes, and unfortunately, he won't see Han again thanks to Kylo Ren. As for whether or not The Last Jedi will deliver a Luke/Leia reunion, director Rian Johnson is still keeping keeping those particular details close to the chest. Entertainment Weekly just debuted a new cover featuring Hamill and Fisher together, but when asked if this means that the Skywalker siblings will be together again in next month's Star Wars movie, Johnson responded:
It's nice seeing them on the cover though. Even if all we have is that.
Due to Carrie Fisher passing away last year, Star Wars: The Last Jedi marks her last theatrical performance, and there are no plans to recreate Leia Organa for Episode IX. Meaning that if Leia doesn't reunite with Luke in The Last Jedi, then there's no chance of ever seeing the siblings together again in a movie setting, leaving Return of the Jedi as the last time they shared space on the big screen. Of course, such a reunion would still be bittersweet given that Han Solo was mercilessly killed by Kylo Ren, Leia and Han's son, as well as Luke's nephew/former apprentice.
From what's been shown in Star Wars: The Last Jedi's marketing and promotional material, Luke will spend a significant chunk of time on Ahch-To training Rey in the ways of the Force. It remains to be seen if he'll finally wrap up his self-imposed exile, but as Mark Hamill told EW, even though Luke wants to be back with his family, he's turned his back on making that happen. Hamill explained:
Luke longs to have that extended family that he established in the original trilogy, but now he's at a place in his life and in his history where he's shunned all of that. The big question is why didn't he respond to Leia during [The Force Awakens]? There's a lot of things you can't answer until you see this movie.
While Luke struggles with his inner demons and expresses terror at seeing Rey's incredible power, Leia will continue being one of The Resistance's key figures. However, she won't be the organization's top leader anymore, with Vice Admiral Amilyn Holdo filling those shoes. The Last Jedi trailer suggested that Kylo Ren is contemplating killing his mother after successfully getting his father out of the picture, but whether that happens or Leia's story ends some other way, no doubt many Star Wars fans are hoping to see Leia and Luke together one last time to strengthen Carrie Fisher's sendoff from the franchise.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi hits theaters on December 15, and tickets are available for pre-order. To find out what else is being cinematically released over the next year, look through the remainder of our 2017 premiere guide and check out our 2018 premiere guide.
