It’s wild out here in Star Wars speculation land!
We’re about ten months away from the release of the “final film” in the Skywalker saga, Star Wars: Episode IX, and news is sparse. We know Anthony Daniels and BB-8Opens in a new tab have wrapped filming, that John Boyega hasn’tOpens in a new tab, and that a lotOpens in a new tab of our favorite TV starsOpens in a new tab have joined the cast. We also know J.J. Abrams is directing and that he is the secrecy master, which is why this dry spell feels especially long. But February seems super late for a title reveal. We got The Force Awakens‘ title more than a year before its premiere, and The Last Jedi‘s the January before its December release.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens has completed principal photography. #StarWarsVIIOpens in a new tab #TheForceAwakensOpens in a new tab pic.twitter.com/mFTP9YbKNNOpens in a new tab
— Star Wars (@starwars) November 6, 2014Opens in a new tab
So what’s the hold up? It could be a few things. The other two titles were released after filming had wrapped, and Episode IX is still going. Disney also has Avengers: Endgame to deal with first. It’s also possible Abrams is holding out until Star Wars Celebration, the galactic fan event happening in Chicago this April, where a trailer is sure to debut. Endgame‘s trailer also served as a title announcement for that movie, so maybe that’s Disney’s new thing.
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Of course, it hasn’t stopped the internet from going crazy with speculation. After Anthony Daniels posted an ominous “news is on the horizon” type tweet yesterday, and after even the TCL Chinese Theatre started posting tantalizing hints as well, Episode IX title speculation has gone into overdrive.
How strange. I am receiving images of something amazing coming towards us – travelling over decades through space and time – reaching out to all humans on this planet with its message. What could it be? Should I be afraid? Should you? Stay tuned.
— Anthony Daniels (@ADaniels3PO) February 4, 2019Opens in a new tab
Star Wars EPISODE 9 Title leaks…..Opens in a new tab from r/moviesOpens in a new tab
Over on Reddit, one user claims the title has leakedOpens in a new tab already–from where, I can’t seem to tell–and that it’s called Balance of the Force. That’s not a bad title, but it’s far from confirmed. On Twitter, people aren’t insisting there’s been a leak so much as having fun going crazy with their own dream titles, both serious and not so serious.
THE EPISODE IX TITLE WILL BE “A SPARK OF HOPE”
YOU WILL ALL SEE TOMORROW
REMEMBER THIS TWEET
— Ajay (@SWBFExpress) February 5, 2019Opens in a new tab
BREAKING: Lucasfilm finally reveals the title to Star Wars: Episode IX (Source: Variety) pic.twitter.com/0srDfTSmlZOpens in a new tab
— Charlie Ashby (@CMWAshby) February 5, 2019Opens in a new tab
I predict the title of #EpisodeIXOpens in a new tab will be released one day before the movie and it will be called Star Wars: Power of the Patience
— Joseph Scrimshaw (@JosephScrimshaw) February 5, 2019Opens in a new tab
Whole threads of fun speculation have also sprung up.
the title of the last song you listened to is the title of Star Wars episode IX.
what’s your title?
— mads (@heartofbellamy) February 3, 2019Opens in a new tab
Star Wars Episode IX: Sweet Child O’Mine ?
— Sinead Ren ? (@Reylo_Revan) February 4, 2019Opens in a new tab
We don’t know when a real title will be released, but for now, we’re just happy for this fun moment in time when we still can speculate on Skywalker saga films. This sort of thing won’t last forever. It’s a magical time to be alive.
Images: Disney/Lucasfilm