Warning: Spoilers to follow for Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
The end of Star Wars: The Last Jedi left things fairly wide open for the trilogy's conclusion in Episode IX. There are plot threads that need to be wrapped up but unlike what happened after The Force Awakens there are not a slew of huge mysteries being theorized over and dissected by the fans. However, the end of the film did offer a few hints about what is to come and one of those hints was the implication that Rey and Poe could perhaps become romantically involved. This trilogy hasn't had much romance thus far, but when Rey herself finally met the Resistance hero there was at least a suggestion of sparks flying. Daisy Ridley spoke about the possibility of a Rey and Poe romance in an interview, saying:
I think it's wonderful to have relationships that are not romantic. I don't think in films you always need a romantic relationship, and I think friend relationships can be romantic in their gestures and intimacy and all of that. So, I think, hopefully, if Rey and Poe get to have some scenes together and stuff that there will be intimacy, but I think, for me, it doesn't have to be romantic.
Daisy Ridley makes a great point here to Mtime that there doesn't have to be a romantic relationship. Romantic relationships aren't a requirement for all films and sometimes it is more beneficial not to have one. We can still learn a lot about two characters through a very close friendship and just because Rey is a girl and Poe is a boy doesn't mean they have to get together.
In fact, the friendship (or friendzoneship depending on your perspective) between Finn and Rey in The Force Awakens was great and told us a lot about each character as we got to know them and that bond has continued. It is kind of strange to think that we are two movies into this trilogy and Rey and Poe have only shared one scene together. So it will be great to finally see those two characters interact but that doesn't necessarily have to be in a romantic way, even though The Last Jedi seemed to plant that seed of possibility. Of course, if there's one thing that The Last Jedi taught us, it's that not all seeds grow as we expect.
We have been somewhat conditioned to expect romance in these films. The Last Jedi gave us a small moment between Finn and Rose, and I'd imagine that relationship will continue to develop in Episode IX, but some may want Rey, who is the hero of this story, to also find romantic love. Romance is a part of Star Wars. It was done well with Han and Leia in the original trilogy and served with a healthy side of cringe with Anakin and Padme in the prequels. But even though people may want Rey to find love, that doesn't mean it's right for her character or journey. After all, Luke lived that bachelor life (we think) and never had romance in the original trilogy. So it is totally possible that Rey may follow a similar path. Rey now has to help defeat Kylo Ren and the First Order. Heck, some people are even shipping Rey and Kylo after their highly emotional force conversations in The Last Jedi, so who knows what direction her love life will take.
We still have a long way to go until Episode IX and it will be very exciting to see how J.J. Abrams closes out this trilogy that he started. For all the latest on The Bachelorette: Far, Far Away edition and all your movie news, keep it tuned to CinemaBlend.
