What does “It’s time for the Jedi to end” mean in the Star Wars Ep. 8 teaser trailer?

Earlier today, Lucasfilm dropped the first trailer for “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” on day 2 of Star Wars Celebration in Orlando, Florida.

The cast including Daisy Ridley (Rey), John Boyega (Finn), Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), and newcomer Kelly Marie Tran (who plays a new character named Rose). Writer and director Rian Johnson also was on hand and ultimately presented the new trailer, but didn’t comment on any of what it meant.

Perhaps the most intriguing thing that people have had the most reactions to so far is a line that Luke says at the very end of the 2 minute trailer – “It’s time for the Jedi to end.”

His little line of dialogue adds to the confusion with what many Star Wars fans have been debating since the announcement of the title of the film. Is Luke the last Jedi? Or maybe it’s Rey? But now do they have to die?? Why???

No answers, but many are already questioning the significance of that statement.

Notice what Luke’s previous dialogue in the trailer in talking to Rey:

To which Rey responds:

For those who know the Star Wars films, the purpose of the Chosen One aka Anakin Skywalker (Luke’s son) was “to bring balance to the Force.” In effect, he didn’t end up doing that and became Darth Vader, pushing the darkness levels to a high.

We saw that visually with the introduction of The First Order in “The Force Awakens.” There’s clearly still an unevenness between those in the light and those in darkness. As for a Jedi’s role in trying to reconcile that, it really is in Luke’s power to be able to do that since he, for all we know since Episode 7, is the last remaining Jedi alive.

With Episode 8 and the scenes we’ve seen so far, we can conclude that Rey is being trained by Luke, but the question of why he said the Jedi must end still lingers. Who can bring balance to the Force now? If so, will they be considered a Jedi? Or perhaps a new kind of Jedi?

If anything, it’s probably making you want to watch the movie now! But patience, Padawans.

“Star Wars: The Last Jedi” opens in theaters on December 15, 2017.