There has been an interesting rumor going around about "Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens" that could completely alter the franchise's storytelling formula for the first time ever.

The rumor claims that near the middle of "The Force Awakens," the film's central heroes Han Solo, Finn and Rey go visit Maz Kantana and present her with Luke's lightsaber.

Immediately after recognizing the saber, she offers them a "vision" which essentially allows connects the heroes with the events of the light saber. The "vision" includes glimpses of Luke looking at a dead Jedi Academy and leaving R2-D2 behind. It also shows Kylo Ren approaching Rey and some mysterious "seven" and a "clan." It serves as a flashback of sorts, but more importantly, it offers a storytelling device that to this point has never been utilized in "Star Wars" lore.

In "Episode III: Revenge of the Sith" the viewer got a chance to see Anakin's "dreams," but those were just quick flashes that amounted to little. They hinted of the future when Padme would die at childbirth, but they were ambiguous to be sure.

Aside from this brief moment, the "Star Wars" franchise has never allowed viewers to glimpse directly inside of a characters' mind. In "Empire Strikes Back," Luke tells Yoda of his vision of his friends in the Cloud City in danger. But the audience learns of it through dialogue.

This of course is not a revolutionary technique, but it could serve to break open the franchise and allow it storytelling possibilities that were not utilized in earlier installments. There have already been hints that J.J. Abrams is looking to open up the means through which the "Star Wars" stories are told. From a symbolic standpoint, it does represent the ultimate break from the universe of storytelling established in the first six films by George Lucas. The flashback/vision would add to that new legacy.