'Star Wars: Episode 9': JJ Abrams shuts down Luke's return idea

Director J.J. Abrams (R) and cast member Daisy Ridley have a chat during a news conference for their upcoming movie "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" in Urayasu, Chiba prefecture, the suburbs of Tokyo, Japan, December 11, 2015. Reuters/Yuya Shino

The only way for Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) to return in “Star Wars: Episode 9” is by turning into a Force Ghost. In a recent interview, Hamill reportedly suggested a way for his character come back in-the-flesh, but Director JJ Abrams is said to have shot down the idea, and confirmed that the Jedi Master is truly dead.

According to a report by Mike Zeroh [see below], Hamill is keen on bringing back his character in-the-flesh, instead of taking the Force Ghost route. In a recent interview, the actor reportedly said that his character could have teleported to someplace else in his final moments in “The Last Jedi.” This will essentially leave the door wide open for the character to return in his physical form in the next film.

Abrams, however, doesn’t share Hamill’s enthusiasm for bringing back Luke in that way. When Hamill made this suggestion to Abrams, the director apparently shot it down and told the actor that Luke is dead.

There was a lot of anger and disappointment in the fan base after “The Last Jedi” featured the death of Luke Skywalker, a character many fans have grown up with. There is a big section of the fan base that wants Abrams to find a way to bring the character back from death.

With Abrams confirming that Luke is dead, there is only room to bring him back as a Force Ghost. The director may however, show the Jedi Master in-the-flesh in flashback sequences to placate the fans. However, fans should also note that the director may not be entirely honest about what he plans to do with Luke, to surprise the fans.

Meanwhile, Cinematographer Dan Mindel has shared a behind-the-scenes picture form the production set of “Star Wars: Episode 9.” The picture posted on Instagram doesn’t reveal much, but the fans can see one of the massive sets with green screen that has been constructed for the film.