The newest entry in the “Star Wars” series is about to take fans into the middle of Lucasfilm and Disney’s new trilogy of movies.
“The Last Jedi” answers some of the questions raised by “The Force Awakens,” disregards others, and sets up a whole lot of new ones that won’t be answered until we finally see the conclusion of the series in “Episode IX,” slated for 2019.
With “Star Wars” now officially in “cinematic universe” territory, fans might be wondering if they should be expecting the movies to tease each other — and whether they should stay till the bitter end of the credits at the end of the film.
But while Disney’s other big movie property, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, is known for its post-credits scenes that give a hint of where stories are going in the future, and how the movies might link together, “Star Wars” has resisted that approach.
And “The Last Jedi” takes the same course after its two-and-a-half-hour runtime — however, fans have one reason not to run out the moment the credits begin.
It’s not an extra scene of any kind; rather, it’s a tribute to Carrie Fisher, who played General Leia Organa and died earlier this year.
Early on in the credits comes the dedication, which reads, “In loving memory of our princess, Carrie Fisher.”
It’s a touching moment, without being too overbearing — Director Rian Johnson also dedicated “The Last Jedi” premiere to Fisher, as Vanity Fair reported, while noting that she probably would have been annoyed at him for doing so.
“I want to dedicate tonight to Carrie,’ Johnson said to the premiere crowd from the stage. “I know she’s up there right now flipping me the bird, saying, ‘Damn it Rian, how dare you bring the mood down and make this night a solemn tribute.’ So let’s all have a blast together for Carrie.”
There’s lots more “Star Wars” coming fans’ way in the meantime, with the Han Solo-centric side movie “Solo: A Star Wars Story” set for release next year.
There’s also another movie trilogy planned to kick off once “Episode IX” reaches fans, and an unconfirmed movie about the life of Jedi mentor Obi-Wan Kenobi in the mix as well.