The crazy fan theory about Luke Skywalker's role in Star Wars: The Force Awakens has been given new credence

A new fan theory has emerged as to why Luke Skywalker hasn’t featured in the newly released Star Wars: The Force Awakens posters and trailers: he’s turned to the dark side.

Mark Hamill, who played Skywalker in the original trilogy, was spotted filming for the new movie and his name features second on the bill for the poster.

This prominence has led fans to posit the theory that Luke is actually Kylo Ren, the masked figure with the triple-threat lightsaber featured in the teaser - why else would Hamill have such a high billing?

However, this has been dismissed as the actor playing Ren is Adam Driver, of Girls fame, who has also been shown without his mask (but without his face visible) in subsequent trailers, and his distinctive voice has also been heard in monologues.

So as far as we can see, there's no James Earl Jones-is-but-isn't-Darth-Vader situation going on.

Despite this refutation, a video has emerged from the early noughties which has added fuel to the ‘Luke = Kylo’ fire.

Jon Favreau used to host a show on IFC called Dinner For Five, which saw five Hollywood figures come together to discuss the industry.

In one episode, Hamill explained how he wanted Luke to turn into an evil character and how he had pitched this idea to George Lucas - to the future director of The Force Awakens across the table.

Start the video below at around 11:50 to see JJ Abrams' mind blown as Hamill throws out the theory:

While it still seems relatively certain that Luke is not Kylo Ren, it may be possible that he’s influencing him, Emperor Palpatine style? It would make for a classic Abrams twist.

Who knows, really? ¯\(ツ)/¯

Watch the trailer below:

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