Theory Explains Real Reason Luke Skywalker Had to Die in 'The Last Jedi'

Countless fans were crushed when the beloved Luke Skywalker, the main character of the Star Wars Universe, vanished into thin air and presumably died in 2017’s The Last Jedi. While the death came as a surprise to many, some fans were not shocked at all, and some even seem to think the death was necessary to the continuity of the story.

In a crucial scene in the most recent canonical film in a galaxy far far away, Skywalker Force-projects himself into a battle with Kylo Ren and the First Order, providing a distraction for Poe, Rey, and Finn to escape. He then evaporates after, leaving nothing but a robe flying off into the distance.

Fans were upset with this decision to say the least, however, veteran actor Mark Hamill took to Twitter to explain why he thought the decision was necessary in Oct. 2018.

It is ironic that the Force is the crux of the Star Wars story, as the very thing that launched Luke’s story line ultimately brought him to his death. In addition to Hamill’s explanation, a fan named McSlever on Reddit had their own ideas as to why Luke’s character needed to die.

"Kylo sees a projection of Rey and immediately assumes that she is with Luke,” the user says, according to Express. “Kylo states flatly 'You’re not doing this. The effort would kill you', under the assumption that she is a force projection.”

The user then goes on to mention how Luke could be modeling his morals and self-sacrifice after his own mentor, Ben Kenobi.

“He knows that there’s still good in Ben Solo like he knew there was good still good in his father. Luke dies with peace and purpose, causing the distraction to let his friends get away, and leaving hope for the Resistance and Ben Solo’s redemption,” the theorist says.

The theory does help to heal the wounds caused by the death of an audience favorite, and we’ll be waiting to see what happens next when Episode IX comes out on Dec. 20, 2019.