'Star Wars: Episode 8' spoilers, plot news update: Rey, Kylo Ren to be main focus of upcoming film

After the scavenger from Jakku handed over the lightsaber to the last living Jedi, a spate of fan theories have been circulating among the franchise faithful as to what will transpire in "Star Wars: Episode 8." One of the viable speculations is that the protagonist Rey (Daisy Ridley) and the dark side's pawn, Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), are the ones to be heavily featured in the next installment.

A promotional photo for "Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens." Lucasfilm

If one were to base it on the final scene of "The Force Awakens," it is now anticipated by avid followers of the "Star Wars" lore that Rey will most likely become Luke Skywalker's (Mark Hamill) apprentice. The theory also suggests that her training will be way longer as compared to her mentor as it is estimated to run for a couple of months. However, the rumored training sequences in the upcoming film are said to be showcased in less than 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, it is also speculated that Luke will be in search of the galactic smuggler and con man Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams) who will be a key figure in pinpointing the whereabouts of Kylo Ren.

That being said, Kylo Ren's past is also rumored to be focused on "Episode 8." Reports say that his childhood will be featured in the next main installment including the time when he still proudly carried the name, Ben Solo.

Furthermore, his childhood scenes are said to come via episodic flashbacks that could have resulted from murdering his own father, Han Solo (Harrison Ford). Those vivid memories might also include the time when he trained alongside a number of padawans that would, later on, be called as "Knights of Ren."

"Star Wars: Episode 8" has yet to gain an official title but it will be released to theaters on Dec. 15, 2017.

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