Hmmm, Copyright Issues We Have: Where Have You Seen 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi' Before?

It was fanboy overload as Lucasfilm finally announced the long-awaited title for the eighth Star Wars film. "OMG they called Luke the last Jedi in the crawl for Episode VII, mind blown." Whether planned or not, the ominous title for #RianJohnson's upcoming #StarWars film seemingly spells doom for someone in the dwindling Jedi population. Cue internet trawling to decipher what on Earth the title could mean: Does it signal the demise of #LukeSkywalker, the training of Rey, or even the return of Yoda? The Last Jedi will keep us guessing right up until December 15.

However, for some there may be a case of déjà vu, this isn't the first time we have heard of "The Last Jedi." Since the Star Wars universe's inception in 1977, there have been at least three uses of #TheLastJedi name, so let's look at where Johnson could've ripped off that all-important Episode VIII title from and whether any of it makes sense for No. 8.

Year: 2014

What's it about: Pretty much ripping off Episode VIII

Shaky Farscape-style sets, Arial Bold font titles, and a dodgy McGregor/Obi-Wan parody, #Lucasfilm hasn't got much competition from this fan film. Star Wars: The Last Jedi fan film is pretty damn ludicrous even by fan film standards. Directed by Joel Loukus (?), the short films focus on a young child who becomes "The Last Jedi" when his parents are slain. I guess it would fill the end part of Revenge of the Sith as Order 66 eliminates all the Force users.

It was a three-part series, but seems only to massage the ego of a bunch of parkour enthusiasts who wanted to show off their flips and an overzealous SFX student for a uni project. You do get to see a Force choke involved, but that's about it. For those hoping that this "Last Jedi" could be a nice prelude into Episode VIII, think again. Loukus's film is pretty sure to have naff all to do with what is coming.

Year: 2013

What's it about: Rogue One but with Jedi and without the Death Star plans

It is a shame that the Legends Novels aren't considered canon in the main films anymore. With hundreds of stories and characters, Legends filled those big gaps between the Star Wars trilogies, but also continued the story way beyond where we have ever been. Michael Reaves and Maya Kaathryn Bohnhoff's novel The Last Jedi featured a "Han Solo with powers" Jedi named Jax Pavan. Being chased across the galaxy by Vader's forces since the massacre of the Jedi, Pavan made it his mission to cause as much trouble for the Empire as possible through underground resistance.

Pavan actually sounds like a pretty interesting character and like he was plucked directly from Rogue One; however, not that any of this matters, Lucasfilm retconned the entire universe to make it easier on themselves — perhaps Fox should follow suit with X-Men!

Year: 1981

What's it about: Luke and Leia meet a Jedi — named Jedi

Finally, my personal favorite of the group — if the bright pink cover alone doesn't pull you in, then nothing will. Literally putting the opera in space opera, Marvel's 1981 comic focused on Luke and Leia on a brave new mission. Since the announcement of Episode VIII's title, issues of Star Wars #49 have jumped from $50 to $150 on eBay, but I would save my money if I were you!

Leia and Luke meet, wait for it, Jedidiah (nicknamed Jedi), an addle-brained Jedi Knight who has also lost his marbles *cough Yoda *cough*. Seeking the help of Jedidiah, Luke and Leia must return Prince Denid, the heir to the throne of an alien world, before his brother is crowned. Featuring gloopy aliens and lackluster continuity, it isn't Marvel's strongest entry in the series. While the Star Wars comic franchise verged on insanity, it lasted right up until Issue #107, however the purple-skinned alien Jedidiah only appeared in issue #49 — I wonder why?

So there you have it, which would you prefer? Also, let's not get Episode VIII confused with the equally crappy young adult books "The Last of the Jedi," which attempted to Twilight-up the story of Obi-Wan on the run. Hopefully The Last Jedi will have a whole new story and won't have to rely on rehashed A New Hope ideas or purple space aliens; however, if there isn't at least a nod to Jedidiah I will be mightily annoyed. Personally, my favorite idea would be that a resurrected Han Solo returns as the last Jedi for a crossover with Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, including Sean Connery playing Yoda — one can but dream.