-- Warning: SPOILERS lie ahead for The Last Jedi --

Now that Star Wars: The Last Jedi has finally debuted in theaters, we have a good idea of which characters will be returning for J.J. Abrams' Episode 9. As you well know, Rian Johnson's film has taken the world by storm with a massive $450 million opening weekend. But despite those massive numbers (and glowing critical reviews), TLJ may actually be the most divisive Star Wars movie ever. It's managed to split the fanbase down the middle, and there's more than a few diehards that outright hated it. But don't let the negative buzz fool you -- this is Star Wars we're talking about here.

TLJ may have its controversies, but moviegoers will undoubtedly show up in droves when Episode 9 rolls around in 2019. It will do so with a familiar face at the helm, as The Force Awakens' J.J. Abrams is returning to direct the project after having replaced Colin Trevorrow. He just gave his story pitch to Lucasfilm last week, and filming is slated to begin next June. (No word yet on how that meeting went, by the way.)

Related: So, What's Episode IX Going To Be About?

Episode IX is over two years away from release, so it's understandably unclear just who will star at this point. (Abrams himself might not even know for sure.) While the final cast will obviously be much larger, as of now, there are only four characters confirmed to return. Rey, Finn, Kylo Ren, and Poe are all slated to make their third appearances in the franchise. Outside of the core four, however, things get a bit murky.

Daisy Ridley

Rey in Snoke's Throne Room in Star Wars The Last Jedi

No big surprise here. There was no way Rian Johnson was ever going to kill off the true Last Jedi in the middle of the trilogy, so Daisy Ridley will indeed return as Rey in Episode IX. We may not have learned her last name, but the character certainly came a long way in The Last Jedi. Next time out, she'll stand as the Resistance's best chance to take down the First Order once and for all.

Given Daisy Ridley's feelings on the matter, the next Star Wars film could mark Rey's final appearance in the franchise. Be prepared to say goodbye.

Adam Driver

Not only will Adam Driver's Kylo Ren return in Episode IX, but he'll do so as the film's main villain. With Supreme Leader Snoke out of his way, Kylo has become the new face of the First Order. It's probably not a move a lot of fans would've been thrilled about heading into TLJ (more than a few folks were underwhelmed by him in The Force Awakens), but his arc was easily one of the strongest storylines in Episode 8. Johnson choosing to position him as the trilogy's big bad by having him murder Snoke was as gutsy as it was brilliant.

Kylo's inevitable showdown with Rey will likely be the most anticipated storyline in the next Star Wars adventure.

John Boyega

John Boyega as Finn in Star Wars The Last Jedi

Many of TLJ's detractors were quick to point out Finn's seemingly fruitless side plot with Rose as a weak point of the film. In perhaps the most surprising twist of all, their plan to take out the First Order's tracking abilities backfired spectacularly. After being betrayed by Benicio Del Toro's DJ, most of the Resistance escape pods were destroyed -- along with most of the Resistance. The Star Wars universe has seen the best laid plans fail before, but never quite so completely.

That said, Finn did manage to spread the Rebellion's message to a new corner of the galaxy. The child on Canto Bight (who has Force powers, no less) heard it loud and clear. Perhaps Finn could be being positioned as a recruiter of sorts in Episode IX?

Oscar Isaac

Oscar Isaac as Poe Dameron in Star Wars The Last Jedi

If any members of the core four were going to be killed off in TLJ, it was probably Poe Dameron. Thankfully, Oscar Isaac's flyboy not only survives, but he's granted what is arguable the film's best character arc. TLJ sees Poe mature quite a bit, ultimately becoming the sensible leader the Rebellion needs. The best pilot in the galaxy should have a lot on in his plate in Episode IX. He could even be positioned as the public face of the Resistance, with Leia likely out of the picture.

And of course, his subtly teased romantic connection with Rey will be worth keeping an eye on.

Unconfirmed, but surefire bets

Episode 9 may only have four confirmed characters, but several stars from The Last Jedi will surely join them. Kelly Mary Tran's Rose is perhaps the safest bet to return. The surprising amount of screen time she received in TLJ would be wasted by a one-off, and our boy Finn certainly wouldn't be happy if she were written out of the next adventure.

Anthony Daniels will likely return for another limited role as C-3PO, as should Billie Lourd, who plays Lieutenant Connix. The daughter of Carrie Fisher was given an expanded role in TLJ, and we wouldn't be shocked if history repeated itself in Episode IX.

On the other side of the Force, Domhnall Gleeson's General Hux is on track to return as well. He may have been played for laughs more often than not in TLJ, but he's still one of only two surviving baddies with a name and a recognizable face. He'll be back.

Unconfirmed but possible

Episode IX has more than its fair share of iffy character inclusions on its plate. Luke Skywalker's death stands as the biggest game-changer in TLJ, but he could always return as a Force Ghost. Given Mark Hamill's enthusiasm over the prospect of Luke's return, it would be foolish to rule him out.

Captain Phasma also seemed to meet her end, though there's reason to believe she could have actually survived her showdown with Finn. Time will tell if Gwendoline Christie will return, though it'd be a shame if she didn't.

Maz Kanata (Lupita Nyong'o) merely cameoed in TLJ, so her importance to the overarching plot is up for debate. For what it's worth, she is listed as "rumored" on Episode IX's IMDB page. Benicio Del Toro's DJ seems like a slightly better bet to return, if only so Finn and Rose can serve up some revenge. He could always redeem himself, but he was directly responsible for hundreds of Rebel deaths, so...probably not.

Unconfirmed and unlikely

Two Last Jedi stars that almost certainly won't be back are Carrie Fisher's Princess Leia and Andy Serkis' Snoke. Few could have predicted the latter's death, as evidenced by the mountain of since-dismissed fan theories surrounding the character. TLJ made the bold move of doing away with the trilogy's presumed big bad a full movie earlier than anticipated. J.J. Abrams and co. would be foolish to backtrack by bringing the Supreme Leader back from the dead. No matter how badly fans want to know about his backstory, it would be the wrong move.

Meanwhile, Leia miraculously managed to survive being blown out into space, but Fisher's real life passing all but precludes her from appearing in the final film of the trilogy. With recasting and digital recreation seemingly ruled out, the question of how to respectfully complete Leia's story is one of the biggest Episode IX will face. Perhaps J.J. Abrams will take a page out of the Star Trek playbook?

Next: How The Last Jedi Changes Star Wars Forever

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