As the holiday season approaches, new movies begin to make their way to theaters throughout the month of December. One new film sparking excitement among some students and staff around the school is Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

Scheduled to arrive on December 15, tickets are expected to be sold out quickly. This is the ninth movie in the franchise since the first one, titled Star Wars, was released in theaters back in 1977. “I’ve been a Star Wars fan ever since I was a little kid,” math teacher Mr. Jim Zarro said, “The original movie is one of the first movies I remember seeing in theatres.” The Star Wars series has attracted people from all ages since its first appearance on screen. Set after the events taken place in the most recent episode The Force Awakens, the new movie will continue the story of the war between Leia’s resistance against the New Order and Rey’s discovery of the Jedi Master Luke Skywalker. The movie is expected to provide an answer to the question set by the previous episode: Who is the last jedi? The uncertainty of events that will occur in this new film is causing anticipation for Star Wars fans, who were left to ponder the cliffhanger in the previous film.

Written and directed by Rian Johnson, the latest Star Wars film will include brand-new characters alongside other characters returning from previous Star Wars movies such as Daisy Ridley as Rey, Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, Carrie Fisher as Leia Organa, and John Boyega as Finn. Last year actress Carrie Fisher passed away in December which brought sadness among many Star Wars fans. Her final appearance on screen will be in The Last Jedi. “Her role as Princess Leia is iconic,” junior Quincy Dowling said, “She was an inspiration for me as a little kid, and she continues to be today.” Although her life ended unexpectedly, her part as Princess Leia lives on and many people are excited to see her one last time on screen.

Star Wars has a played a pivotal role in the lives of many people ranging from childhood to adulthood and each episode never fails to excite fans. “The Star Wars movies have been really strong so far,” Dowling said, “I have high hopes for episode nine.”