Before we get started, it's really important that you know that there is a very, very, very, very, very, very, very, VERY likely chance that this plot outline is a complete and utter fake.
The sheer raft of rumours, leaks and everything else coming out from Episode VIII is so huge that you'd honestly need to carry a sieve around with you just to catch it all. Longtime readers will know that we reported on a potential plot leak from The Force Awakens which, it has to be said, did have some kernels of truth to them.
With that in mind, there could be some truth to these rumours here - particularly, we think, surrounding Benicio Del Toro's as-yet unknown character. At the very least, these kind of alleged plot leaks and spoilers always make for an entertaining read. As always, turn back now if you don't want to read potential spoilers.
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Still here? Good. Let's go.
The current title for Episode VIII, according to the leaker, is Echoes Of The Dark Side. The story is split amongst three distinctive strains; Rey, Finn and Kylo. The alleged plot follows a similar structure to The Empire Strikes Back, vis a vie Rey is being trained by Luke Skywalker on Ach-To (that's Skellig Michael) whilst Finn is working with Poe on routing out spies in the New Republic. Finn is ordered by General Leia to seek out these spies in a rustic old city whilst she butts heads with the interim dictator of the New Republic.
This is where Benicio Del Toro comes in. According to the leaker, Del Toro's character is called Lord Vikram. Since Starkiller Base wiped out most of the Republic in The Force Awakens, Vikram is now trying to keep it together. Leia believes that Vikram is possibly working with the New Order, as she remembers him from the days in the Imperial Senate. Finn and Poe uncover a conspiracy with the help of Challa, played by Kelly Marie Tran.
Now, here's where it goes proper bonkers.
Back on Skellig Michael / Ach-To, Luke Skywalker reluctantly agrees to train Rey. Why is he so reluctant? Because - and this is really bonkers - she's the reincarnation of Anakin Skywalker. Rey is another iteration of the Chosen One and was of virgin birth. Her mother was killed in the attack Rey saw in her vision in The Force Awakens and she was dumped on Jakku. Luke Skywalker thinks that Rey could potentially turn to the Dark Side, the same as Anakin Skywalker / Darth Vader. Since he's now of the same age and vein as Obi-Wan Kenobi, he doesn't want to repeat the same mistakes. Kylo Ren, meanwhile, is plotting his revenge on Rey and manages to capture Finn and Poe. He then tortures them and brings Rey out of seclusion to fight him once again, much as Darth Vader in The Empire Strikes Back.
You can read the full plot leaks down below, but for us, we're going to say there's definitely some truth in here somewhere.
Uber-nerds will recognise the political battle thing between Leia and Benicio Del Toro's supposed character as the basic plot of Timothy Zahn's Thrawn Trilogy, with Del Toro standing in for Borsk Fey'lya. Repeating the same thing with The Empire Strikes Back, i.e. Kylo Ren capturing Finn and Poe to get Rey to come out and fight, is just bad writing and the reincarnated Anakin Skywalker thing is just plain daft.
Benicio Del Toro, however, as some sort of nebulous, not-sure-if-he's-good-or-bad character definitely sounds believable. So to does Kelly Marie Tran as a secret agent. Luke Skywalker being reluctant to train Rey, yeah, that's plausible and there's got to be some reason behind her incredible powers. Whether they're father and daughter is anyone's guess.
It's worth pointing out that there's been tons of conspiracy theories surrounding these alleged plot leaks, with some believing JJ Abrams actually sanctions them to see who on the set is talking to the press and concocts variations on them to see what makes it out. Honestly, we don't know what to believe anymore when it comes to Episode VIII.
So, thoughts? Does any of this sound believable to you? Vote in our poll and let us know in the comments!
