Star Wars Episode 9: 12 Rumours You Need To Know

12. A Major Time Jump

Star Wars movies always have at least a slight time jump. Or at least, almost always, with The Last Jedi being the one to buck the trend. Episode IX, however, is likely to revert to type rather than picking straight up where VIII left off.

This was a rumour in the aftermath of The Last Jedi anyway, for a couple of reasons. The time jump gives the movie some breathing space and opens up a few different storytelling opportunities, especially given the sorry state the Resistance is in. In more real-world terms, the sad reality is that a jump does make it easier to write Carrie Fisher's General Leia out of the franchise in as fitting a way as possible.

It's gained more credence, though, by star John Boyega saying (via UK Finance): “I can’t wait to start shooting the next and final leg of the franchise. The first step is growing out my hair, so you can wait for the trailer to see why.”

The comics have already started filling in the immediate aftermath anyway, but Boyega's comments suggest a considerable jump forward in time - at least a year seems likely, but other rumours have suggested as many as five or more.

Likelihood: 9/10