The Everything Geek Podcast conducted an interview recently with two extras from Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Mel Pickup (who played Athgar Heece) and DJ Mark Pickup (who played a scavenger on Jakku) discuss their roles. But the juiciest bit is the possibility of a return to Abu Dhabi for next year’s filming of Episode IX. It is the very first hint we have had that Jakku could be returning to the current trilogy as Rey’s first arc in the Star Wars saga wraps up. Mark Pickup mentioned in the interview that he’s heard Star Wars will be returning to Abu Dhabi with Colin Trevorrow helming Star Wars: Episode IX.

Check out a clip of the interview below at 22:30 (or listen to the whole interview–it’s pretty good):

Answers for Rey

What answers or revelations will Rey encounter in Star Wars: The Last Jedi that makes her return to Jakku in Star Wars: Episode IX? Rey was pretty insistent on returning to the planet in The Force Awakens before she accepted her calling as hero of the galaxy. Assuming she doesn’t return home, what mystery is revealed that pulls her back home for the hero’s return? Those answers will start to be told sooner than we think. We’re not exactly at The Last Jedi yet but we can see the finish line for this trilogy now on the horizon. If this pans out, it will be a lot like Luke returning to Tatooine after a spiritual journey where he discovered his power and place in the universe. But that said, what will Trevorrow and his team’s unique spin on that motif be? We can’t wait to find out.

Thanks Andy for the heads-up!