Warning: spoilers for The Last Jedi ahead.
The most recent Star Wars movie saw Luke leaving the island only by using Force projection.
In literal, physical terms, he never left – and it was a point that many fans who disliked the movie criticised heavily.
But the new Last Jedi novelisation reveals that it wasn’t a straightforward decision – and that he did seriously consider going with Rey to face Snoke and Kylo Ren.
In fact, when he walks in on Rey communicating with Kylo through the Force, he was on his way to tell her about his change of heart.
“Rey was right. She needed him,” the novel reads. “As did Leia, and the Resistance, and all those desperate for hope. His grief and guilt had left him unable to see that, unable to see anything but darkness and despair.
“In trying to shield the galaxy from his failure, he had walled himself off from everything – including the prospect of hope.”
If Luke had gone with Rey, what would have changed? Would they even have gone to Snoke and Kylo at all, or returned immediately to the Resistance?
And if they had gone to confront the antagonists, would it still have ended with Snoke’s shockingly early demise?
Sadly we will never know – and it’s also unknown whether or not Luke will appear in Episode 9 as a Force Ghost, much like Yoda did in Episode 8.
Star Wars: Episode 9 is out in December 2019, and will conclude the saga.
The Star Wars: The Last Jedi novelisation is out now.
