Star Wars Episode 7: The Force Awakens, Plot Spoilers, Cast, Release Date: Luke Skywalker's Character Arc Revealed? Is He the Most Powerful Jedi of All Time?
Luke Skywalker has been at the center of many "Star Wars" debates in recent weeks. And the announcement of "Episode VII's" as "The Force Awakens" has created a plethora of new rumors and speculation about the film's direction with the iconic character.
Two sources, Latino Review and Making Star Wars, have recently published two pieces on Luke's place in the galaxy.
Both sources agree that the hero has become the world's most powerful Jedi -- so powerful, in fact, that he is struggling to control his powers. For that reason, he goes into exile to avoid causing more damage to the galaxy. He apparently can levitate objects without complete control and has the ability to communicate with dead loved ones (hence the rumor that Darth Vader, Yoda and even Obi-wan Kenobi could be in the film).
Apparently, Luke is drawn out of hiding by both the film's main hero and villain, each of whom are looking to use his power for their respective duties. Luke, who is apparently insane and tortured from his experience, is forced to choose between the two sides and, by the end, makes his decision as to which side he belongs with. That could make "Star Wars" fans think he chooses the side of good to repair any damage that he might have unintentionally caused to the galaxy through his absence.
It makes for a rather unique story arc for Luke and actually fits in nicely with the saga. After all, "Star Wars" has always been about the balance between dark and light, the rational and the emotional. By putting Luke in this situation, he would be facing a similar situation as his father. Anakin was corrupted by the promise of unstoppable power. It weakened him and ultimately destroyed him. Luke, seeing this experience with his own father, would be wary of repeating the cycle.
And Luke, like Anakin, is in a unique situation. Anakin was said to be too old to start Jedi training in "Episode I: The Phantom Menace." He had already formed an emotional attachment with his mother, making it too difficult for him to learn to control his emotions as was required of young Jedi Padawans.
Imagine, then, Luke's situation as he came to the force in his teenage years when emotions are at their most volatile. And while Anakin was in training for a decade between Episodes I and II, Luke had only a few years over the course of the original trilogy. So it was highly unlikely he learned to master every emotional response. It is essential to remember that the Sith gain power from their emotions and this power drives them to violent super powers such as force lightning and choking other people telekinetically. At the end of "Return of the Jedi," Luke's last use of The Force is through the hatred that he feels for his father in that moment. After destroying Vader's arm, he stops and lets himself be tortured by the Emperor. He does not use the force again in the rest of the film.
So Luke's greatest strength came from using his anger and most intense emotions. He is good at heart and this is where the conflict may lie. Is it really wrong to use emotions to summon The Force when the intentions behind that use are good, especially if it gives you the greatest strength? Or is it simply a bad idea to take that risk?
It certainly brings in some really unique ideas that George Lucas attempted to explore in his prequels, but failed to execute well. If J.J. Abrams pulls this kind of psychological conflict off, this could easily be the best "Star Wars" movie yet.
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