Previously, it was reported that Luke Skywalker had become something of an urban legend across the galaxy in the intervening years between "Return of the Jedi" and "The Force Awakens." That line of thinking seemed to be hinted at in the recent trailer when Daisy Ridley's Rey says "there are stories...about what happened." Add that to the rumor that Luke is in self-imposed exile in "The Force Awakens," and you could see how a story like this might come about.
But apparently, that isn't the only way.
John Boyega recently revealed the Stormtroopers of The First Order are exposed to propaganda in order to convince them that the Resistance are the villains of the conflict. This propaganda includes building up the Emperor as a wise and fair ruler while denouncing Luke as a murderer and a bad guy.
Talk about some serious mental gymnastics.
Of course, The First Order believes themselves to be the good guys. The Emperor likely thought he was doing a good thing by bringing order to the galaxy. In reality, we know different. But unfortunately, it appears as if this twisted point of view survived the destruction of both Death Stars.
Boyega's Finn will begin "The Force Awakens" as a Stormtrooper within The First Order. The catalyst for his decision to defect and join the Resistance has been a point of much speculation in recent months. It will be interesting to see what information or event opens up his eyes to the truth and if any other young and impressionable Stormtroopers who were sold a bill of goods by The First Order decide to join him.
The sense we get from the trailer is that the Jedi and the Force are only known to a select few and that knowledge of their existence has been virtually erased from the galaxy. However, if Luke is being used as a motivational tool by The First Order, some part of the legend still remains.
"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" will hit theaters on Dec. 18.
