It has been reported that JJ Abrams will be bringing in eight new characters for Episode 9. The movie is already rather crowded but the appearance of some major iconic characters from other canon works like the animated series would be a major nod to the dedicated fans, especially those alienated after the Last Jedi backlash, who feel Episode 8 strayed too far from classic Star Wars. Persistent rumours and reports already indicate a large section of the movie going out into the Unknwon Regions, as well as descriptions of Maz Kanata’s space “pirate ship”. The latest leak describes Maz with one of the most popular Star Wars characters of al time.
As always take any leaks with a large pinch of salt.
The leaks describes the following concept art: “A pair of Resistance fighters on board Maz Kanata’s ship, fighting off the First Order. Next to Maz is an older man with long wavy hair sporting a green vest. He holds a cyllindrical object in his hand which may be a lightsaber. His skin tone is tanned.
“The next (image) goes over a close up of the character who has blue eyes. He appears to be around Luke’s age from The Last Jedi.”
And then a name is said which will thrill fans.
“This could be Ezra Bridger.” Not only does teh desciption and age fit, the leak adds: “We went over the code names for new characters a while ago and one of those names was EB.”
Ezra was a major character in the Star Wars Rebels animated series. He was last seen disappearing, presumed gone into the Unknown Regions, along with Grand Admiral Thrawn.
Ezra is another Jedi padawan who has been shown struggling with the Dark Side. In the canon stories, he is even targeted by Darth Maul, who tries to convert him to the Sith Order. He also faced Darth Vader at the siege of Lothal and survived.
Assuming the timeline, however, all of this would make Ezra a similar age to Obi-Wan. Surely that is far too old for a major character in The Last Jedi?
Except that in the Star Wars galaxy, technology and medical advances mean that many normal humans live to around 150 years on the core, civilised planets of the Republic.
We already know that Yoda was over 900-years-old and it is reasonable to assume that human Jedi life spans are considerably increased by their contact with the Force.
If Ezra is a Jedi, being around 100-years-old would mean he is potentially somewhere in late middle-age.
The swirling leaks insist Leia will send her last allies out into Unknown Space to look for allies and also search for the hidden First Order base. Finding Ezra out there would be a major way to tie in other canon properties and reassure core fans repsect was still being paid to the history of the franchise.
Just imgaine if they also found Thrawn or even Ahsoka Tano out there too…