Frank Oz Won’t Say Whether Yoda’s in ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’
If you thought things around Star Wars would get less secretive now that the notoriously unforthcoming J.J. Abrams wasn’t directing, think again. Even knowing what we know about Star Wars: The Last Jedi based on the events of Abrams’ The Force Awakens, there might be even more uncertainly around Rian Johnson’s eighth episode in the Star Wars saga.
The current question mark in the offing is a potential appearance by everyone’s favorite Jedi-affiliated Muppet, Yoda. Yoda’s voice and original puppeteer, Frank Oz, supposedly stopped by the Last Jedi set, prompting this particular rumor. Asked about his role over the weekend by Variety, here’s what Oz had to say about any potential involvement in the film:
I feel like I’m a prisoner at war here, and I can only give you my name, rank and serial number. To be true to the people who asked me, and they are kind of my family, I have to say I’ve been asked not to talk about it. I love Yoda. I would be happy to talk to you about it at the time they let me.
It is worth noting that Oz didn’t say, “C’mon, brah. That’s dumb. Of course I’m not in the new Star Wars.” If I were a betting man, I’d wager you’ve got a pretty good shot of seeing that pointy-eared green dude in The Last Jedi. (It’s also worth noting that Oz compares the secrecy around Star Wars to being a freaking prisoner of war.)
Then again, Oz’s coy answer could be an honest one; he may not even know whether he’ll be in the film or not. Abrams initially planned for Yoda to make a brief cameo in The Force Awakens, and Oz did some work on the movie, but his most of his moment was left on the cutting-room floor. That could easily happen again in this case.
Patience, you must have, young padawans. Know the truth, you will, when The Last Jedi opens in theaters. Hits multiplex screens, it does, on December 15.