The latest Star Wars: The Last Jedi trailer had an extended scene hinting that Kylo Ren might kill his mother, General Leia Organa. The scene is a space battle among The First Order and the Resistance and Kylo Ren is at the controls of his TIE fighter staring at his mother, General Organa. They are both apparently sensing the inevitable and their emotions are intense. Leia’s role was played superbly by the late Carrie Fisher, and this role is likely to be central to the film. However, it is possible that Leia would meet her end in the film or at least something that initiates her end and that too by her son. The possibility is even stronger if the character is not going to feature in Star Wars: Episode IX.
However, we can’t overlook the fact that Star Wars is full of mega twists, misleading visuals and the hinted death of the General of Rebellion might just be an illusion. The prospect has set all the staunch Star Wars fans a lot to ponder over.
Let’s go ahead and do a dissection of the sequence. Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) who is quite morose throughout the space fight, tells the viewers to “Let the past die… Kill it. If you have to. That’s the only way to become who you were meant to be.” These are the words which are heard as visuals of Leia and Kylo’s hand on the trigger flash on the screen. Kylo is aiming at the bridge of a ship which is vastly different from any of the First Order ship designs. In fact, its design establishes that it had to be General Leia’s leading ship.
The way the scene is edited, makes us feel as if Kylo shot the ship down and is certain to kill all those on board that ship, however, he is hesitant. This is sprinkled with snapshots of his mother staring forlornly and nervously as she is sensing him. Once again it has been cleverly edited to show the Resistance’s pilot Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac), in the wake of a huge battle, who is facing the camera and furiously states, “We are the spark that will light the fire that’ll burn the First Order down.”
It is quite possible that Leia would be killed by her son and that would consolidate his position as a ruthless villain, or maybe she will somehow manage to come out alive from the shipwreck and pass away without being shown on the camera. Lucasfilm has already confirmed that they have no plans to portray Carrie Fisher via VFX in Episode IX, therefore, Star Wars: The Last Jedi has to be the last time we see Leia onscreen, either this way or that. If she died off screen then it won’t be a befitting finale for such an iconic character.
However, such a death, coming from the hands of her child would go well with the Star Wars themes. The stories typically revolve around Family, identity, purpose, etc. and how these things are used or misused. If Kylo Ren murdered his mother to win over his master, or to save his own life, then it would be a great way to put an end to Carrie Fisher’s character. It would redeem Kylo Ren who was earlier known as Ben Solo, although Star Wars films are unlikely to take fans towards such a dark and despairing destiny. But then, this is exactly how we were told at the time of Empire Strikes Back too.
Another fascinating option is also present. Kylo Ren’s fury can be witnessed throughout the trailer. Just before that shot at Leia’s ship, we saw Rey being tortured by Snoke. There was something like a throne or some console in his backdrop. Kylo Ren’s rage at his mask is clearly visible, and we see multiple flashes of him thoughtfully looking over the hangar bay of the First Order.
You never know if Ren actually shot at Snoke in a dramatic turnaround of events and tried to protect Rey? The flashes of him and his mother in a sequence don’t necessarily mean that he must kill her even if they do get involved in a space battle. Maybe he just couldn’t be ruthless enough to murder his mother as she is known to have cared for him and despite the fact that Kylo Ren’s parents focused more on saving the galaxy than saving their family, yet, the mother-son bond is not brittle.
Facts can’t be easily sidelined. Carrie Fisher’s proposed role in Episode IX is no longer possible, and the way the other characters react also indicates that she died. Poe Dameron has already stated that powerful line standing among the battle ruins and it suggested that he was taking over the leadership of the Resistance. The haunting look that Leia exchanged with the audience coupled with the intense emotions displayed by her son strongly indicate that Ren will add his mother’s murder to his long list of crimes.
Add that with the promise of John Boyega about Star Wars: episode IX being “The war to end all wars” and the situation looks bleak for Leia. Undoubtedly, this murder will push Ren towards ultimate villainy. In fact, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) also cautioned the viewers, “This is not going to go the way you think.” However, director Rian Johnson has said that this trailer is pretty much a spoiler for the fans.
What is your take on it? Will Kylo Ren kill his mother after having already murdered his father Han Solo and become the true symbol of evil in Episode IX or will it be better for the next movie as well as the theme that he seeks redemption in a dramatic turn of events?
