Star Wars Fan Theory Explains Why Luke Skywalker Really Died In TLJ

It's been a while since Luke Skywalker's (Mark Hamill) sacrificial death in Star Wars: The Last Jedi but fans continue to think about the character and his narrative arc in what became one of the Star Wars franchise's most divisive film despite its overwhelming commercial and critical success.

Now, as Star Wars: Episode IX approaches its release, a new theory tries to explore Luke's final moments in The Last Jedi. Was there another reason why the Jedi Knight died in the film?

Previously, Hamill decided to offer up his own explanation regarding Luke's death, saying that it was the Force that killed the Star Wars hero.

"You have to acknowledge the irony in his fate. Almost like an addict that kicked his habit cold-turkey, remained clean for decades, only to re-use just once and then tragically overdoses," Hamill wrote in an old tweet.

Now, a new Star Wars fan theory on Reddit (via Express) adds to this explanation, saying that Luke died to save his estranged nephew, Ben Solo (Adam Driver).

"Kylo sees a projection of Rey and immediately assumes that she is with Luke. Kylo states flatly 'You're not doing this. The effort would kill you', under the assumption that she is a force projection," the theory tries to rationalize, "Luke saw his mentor, Ben Kenobi, sacrifice himself rather than fighting. He knows that there's still good in Ben Solo like he knew there was good still good in his father."

This gives Luke peace and purpose as he sacrifices himself, allowing the Resistance to escape and leave hope for the galaxy.

The new fan theory certainly adds a nice little tie to the actual narrative arc of the Jedi Master, though we're fairly certain that Luke's death was physically caused by the lengthy Force Projection that he had to do while on Ahch-To.

What do you think of this new fan theory? Let us know in the comment section below.

Star Wars: Episode IX premieres December 20, 2019.

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