Why Luke Skywalker Will Remain Dead in 'Star Wars: Episode IX'

I mean, the title is already a spoiler, but come on. If you haven't seen The Last Jedi yet simply because some people didn't like it, you have no one to blame but yourself.

Filming has begun for Star Wars: Episode IX, the final installment of the Skywalker saga to be directed by J.J. Abrams. And since the end of The Last Jedi, some have worried that Luke would not return in the final film.

However, it was recently confirmed that Mark Hamill would be back in Episode IX, and in an interview, he said Abrams told him he'd be back as a Force ghost, and not alive.

What I don't get is the fact that people are upset that he won't be alive in the next movie. In fact, one of my favorite YouTubers, Star Wars Theory, has said he was unhappy with the decision and wanted Luke to come back alive.

I mean, Luke very clearly died in The Last Jedi. So why do people want him alive again in Episode IX? The Star Wars galaxy isn't like the MCU, where people who die in Captain America: The First Avenger can come back alive in the sequels.

Having Luke become one with the Force and die in peace at the end of The Last Jedi and then just come back in Episode IX would not only ruin the entire ending of The Last Jedi, but ruin Luke's character arc.

At the beginning of The Last Jedi, Luke has exiled himself to Ahch-to and committed to a life of pacifism in which he now believed the Jedi had to end. However, when Rey arrives on the island and convinces him to teach her about the Force and the Jedi, he reconnects with the Force.

He ends up realizing that the Resistance is in danger, so he creates a Force-projection and sends it across the galaxy to Crait in order to stall the First Order and give the Resistance time to escape.

Before revealing himself as a projection to Kylo Ren, Luke tells him, "The Rebellion is reborn today. The war is just beginning. And I will not be the last Jedi."

He no longer believes the Jedi need to end for there to be peace in the galaxy because the potential in Rey made him think otherwise. That's why he sacrificed his life performing the Force projection and knowing that he won't be the last Jedi, he gazes upon the twin suns of Ahch-to before dying in peace and becoming one with the Force.

Having him come back alive in Episode IX would completely undermine Luke's death. Rey said he died with "peace and purpose," and now that his story is over, he can become one with the Force and allow other children to become Jedi.

If Luke came back alive, the ending of The Last Jedi loses all its power. I mean, what would be the point in seeing Luke very clearly die here if he was just a-okay, chilling at the Tosche station getting those power converters? The emotional weight and ending of TLJ would be ruined by Luke coming back alive.

And if you think "Luke died like a p***y," then let me put it this way: Luke Skywalker performed an act with the Force so complex that it caused his death due to the amount of physical exertion needed for it. He was able to send a projection from virtually opposite corners of the galaxy.

This was done to save his sister and the Resistance. Like Obi-Wan told him, "There are alternatives to fighting," and that's the message Luke was bringing with his projection.

If you think the Luke vs. Kylo lightsaber fight was lame, since Luke's lightsaber never touched Kylo's, then I have to remind you that Luke's lightsaber was a projection as well. So, his lightsaber would have literally passed through Kylo's, giving it away too soon.

Also, if you wanted Luke to actually BE there and face off the First Order with no projections, then all I have to say to you is that Luke would've died almost IMMEDIATELY facing those AT-MS walkers.

Well, let's say he could've survived that using another Jedi power. He stops all the lasers from hitting him and he engages with Kylo Ren in a lightsaber fight. If that happens, then who wins?

If Luke dies in the fight, his death is a mirror image of Han Solo's death. If Kylo dies in the fight, then we don't have a villain in Episode IX. See what I mean? At this point in time, Luke had served every purpose he had left to fulfill in life, so he can leave the world of living.

Besides, you make it seem like Luke being dead will matter so much in Episode IX. I have to remind you, the OT characters aren't the main characters in this trilogy. Rey, Finn, and Poe are the heroes. Luke's story and his character arc is complete.

He will be returning to Episode IX as a Force ghost, where he will most likely give Rey some more guidance in her journey to become a Jedi. I'm glad Luke's death was handled the way it was. I wouldn't have done it any other way.

If you STILL disagree with me, then let me know on Twitter, I'm @JonathanESim. We can talk it out or we can take this outside. :)

But anyways, that's my article. And may the Force be with you.