RUMOR: ‘Star Wars: Episode IX’ May Return To Jakku

While Star Wars: The Last Jedi will be taking fans to brand new locations in the galaxy far, far away, a new rumor suggests that Episode IX will finally go back to Jakku. (Why does everyone want to go back to Jakku?)

The rumor comes from Mark Pickup, an extra on Star Wars: The Force Awakens, who was being interviewed on the Everything Geek podcast.

Pickup played one of the many Jakku scavengers featured in the film. Those scenes were shot the deserts of in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

He was doing the interview alongside spouse Mel Pickup, who played Athgar Heece in The Force Awakens, when he dropped the bombshell that he heard Colin Trevorrow was looking to film once again in Abu Dhabi.

“I’ve heard wind that [Episode] IX is starting to be filmed next year and they are doing a scene back in Abu Dhabi, so I’m gonna, as soon as I get back there after Christmas, I’m going to put all my attention in to trying to find out which team is going to be on the ground doing it,” Pickup said.

These rumors should be taken with a grain of salt because an extra’s knowledge of Lucasfilm productions might not be accurate. But it’s worth reporting considering the mystery surrounding Rey’s past.


Rey was abandoned on the desert planet, which was the site of the last major battle between Rebellion and Imperial forces as the New Republic established rule over the galaxy. The Force-sensitive pilot was hellbent on returning to her home incase her family returned for her, but then she finally accepted her destiny and went in search of Luke Skywalker.

Maybe the next Star Wars movie will feature her returning to her longtime home and finding more out about her history.

Star Wars: Episode IX is scheduled to hit theaters on May 24, 2019.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi premieres December 15.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi is the second film in the new Star Wars sequel trilogy that began with Star Wars: The Force Awakens in 2015. The film will deal with Luke training Rey to become a, and possibly the last, Jedi. Meanwhile, the Resistance, including Poe Dameron and First Order defector Finn, continues to fight against the First Order, led by General Hux, while Supreme Leader Snoke and his Dark Side follower Kylo Ren continue their mysterious plot.