Filming for "Star Wars: Episode VIII" has reportedly already begun filming, with Rian Johnson taking over as director from J.J. Abrams. But even with a new director at the helm, the secrecy behind the new movie is also being heavily guarded. Fans are looking at every single detail and news from the production to gander a guess at what might be in store in the continuing saga. One of the biggest hypotheticals is the introduction of a character well known in the defunct Expanded Universe (EU): Mara Jade, Luke Skywalker's wife and mother of his child.
Spoilers, rumors, and "Star Wars" speculation ahead!
Many are speculating that Rey is the daughter of Luke Skywalker who was left on Jakku for her own protection. But if Rey is Luke's child, who then was her mother?
The EU gave Luke one son with Mara Jade: Ben Skywalker. In the new canon though, Ben is the name of the only son of Han Solo and Leia Organa who then renamed himself Kylo Ren after he fell to the Dark side to become the apprentice of Supreme Leader Snoke.
Looking at Rey's styling, especially as she was scavenging the wrecks of Jakku wearing eye protection and a brown head scarf. Many saw enough parallels between her and Mara Jade to say that her character was perhaps based upon the popular character who was once the right hand of Emperor Palpatine himself. Or maybe J.J. Abrams was giving an on-screen hint to who her mother was.
Just like the main movies, the secrecy behind the story of "Rogue One" is also being well-kept. However, many feel that Felicity Jones who will play one of the leads in the film might be the future Mrs. Skywalker. Described by Movie Pilot as a "morally ambiguous badass with a very personal connection to the Emperor," it certainly feels as if Jones' character is at least inspired by Mara Jade, if not a new incarnation of her for the new "Star Wars" canon.
It certainly would be exciting to find out if Luke's wife will make an appearance, or at least be mentioned, in "Episode VIII." We'll have to wait and see who's who in the Skywalker family tree when the movie is released on Dec. 15, 2017.
