Star Wars: Episode VIII finally gets its title

Disney has been tight-lipped about the second installment in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, following the success of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Even after principal photography was wrapped up in July, numerous rumors (most of them false) about the real title have been circulating.

Well, Disney and Lucasfilm ended all of that speculation on Monday by announcing Episode VIII is titled The Last Jedi.

With the basic generic poster that we have come to expect from an upcoming Star Wars film, there isn't much for fans to analyze. But based off of history, we can make some assumptions. The lettering of the Star Wars emblem is red instead of the traditional yellow. It could be in connected to the Sith and traditionally, the second film in the trilogies usually tilts the balance of power towards the villains. The Empire Strike Back left the Rebellion and our heroes in pieces. Attack of the Clones brutalized the Jedi Order and began to take apart the already crumbling Republic. You get the picture.

But this title does raise one major question: Just who is The Last Jedi?

Once upon a time, that title belonged to Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill). But now the obvious answer would be Daisy Ridley's scavenger cast-off, Rey, who discovered powers that she never dreamed of in The Force Awakens, using the Force to call Luke and Anakin Skywalker's lightsaber to her and defeating Kylo Ren (Adam Drive) in single combat.

Director Rian Johnson (Brick, Looper) has confirmed that there will be no lapse in time between The Last Jedi and The Force Awakens, with the story picking up close to where the previous film left off: Rey standing before the self-exiled Luke Skywalker, ready to start her Jedi training after dealing a blow to The First Order.

Does The Last Jedi spell doom for the Jedi Master? Or does it mean that Luke and Rey (and maybe others) could represent the last Jedi? Jedi doesn't have to be mean singular. It can be taken into a plural meaning as well.

John Boyega, Oscar Issac, Adam Driver, Gwendoline Christie, Lupita Nyong'o, Domhnall Gleeson, Andy Serkis, and the late Carrie Fisher return for Episode VIII, alongside franchise newcomers like Benicio Del Toro, Laura Dern, and Kelly Marie Tran. Rian Johnson takes over the helm of this installment to the Star Wars sequel trilogy while Awakens director J.J. Abrams moves to a executive producer role.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi comes to theaters December 15, 2017.