With the recent release of this cover by Mark Hamill himself, fans are once again speculating about what it could mean. While some are thrilled with the idea, others are ready for the film to be out already simply so this theory can finally die. They have seen or heard about this happening years ago in the promotion for "Return of the Jedi," and as it turned out, it was nothing more than a red herring, something meant to distract you from the truth.

In other words, after being tricked once, fans do not want to be tricked again. Until the film comes out in December of this year, fans can only grit their teeth and take to social media such as Twitter to share their thoughts.

'Dark' Luke in 'Return of the Jedi'

By now, many of us know how due to the revelation of Luke's darker robes in promotional material for the third installment of the series, many fans could not help but assume that the once nïeve little farm boy from the back water world of Tatooine, appeared ready to go completely Dark Side and maybe even take his father's place as the Emperor's apprentice. Of course, as we all know now, that did not happen. While it could be argued that he did go a little dark side by appearing to use a Force Choke on two of Jabba's guards at the beginning of "Return of the Jedi," then again towards the end while going all out battling his father, he didn't go completely there.

Even when push came to shove and the temptation was at its greatest while physically fighting Vader and mentally fighting the Emperor, he did not break. In the end, Luke stayed on the light side of the Force to the disappointment of many fans everywhere.

Even though many people are taught that being evil obviously isn't good or something we should strive or root for, there is just something inherently fascinating about watching a good person cave into the seduction of the dark side, be it of the Force or just evil in general.

As strange as it may sound, the desire to cross over to the dark side is quite relatable on some level. This is because we all have that dark side, especially when we get especially angry or ticked at someone that wishes they could get revenge on that wrong-doer in some way, before ultimately coming back to our normal good natured selves.

It is just one of the many things that help make certain characters so identifiable with ourselves.

The trick with these characters though is having them stay that way just long enough to get that morbid enjoyment out of it before making their way back to the light, having learned some lesson about just how damaging that type of life can be. Leave them that way for too long though, and it could get old. "We've seen them this way. Can he/she really not get over _______________ situation?" Again, it's something that we can all relate to on some level.

Having already been mislead once about Luke possibly going to the dark side years ago, it is now understood as to why they are...highly skeptical to put it lightly, to believe that he will do so in the latest movie, based on a magazine cover.

Sure there are other various sources touting the same rumor, but until the film has been released this December, there is no way to know for sure.

Funny fan reaction

In the meantime, some fans have taken to Twitter to express their feelings. These have ranged from

to

and even

While it's likely none of these will happen should Luke go to the Dark Side in "Episode VIII: The Last Jedi", the message is still clear, there are some fans who are undoubtedly opposed to the very idea of him falling down this path.

Of course, for every negative response, there are also the positive ones. These include

to

As with just about every topic in the "Star Wars" universe, this one has fans deeply divided. As with many recent rumors about this fictional universe, fans will have to wait until December to find out for sure which way he falls. Although with how tricky the people at Lucasfilm can be, it would not be impossible for them to have him fall somewhere in the middle.
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED