Back in April of last year it was rumoured that Star Wars: The Last Jedi will feature an appearance from Master Yoda, which was supported by a further report in September which suggested that a new puppet had been created for the hotly-anticipated Episode VIII. And now the man behind Yoda, Frank Oz, has further stoked the fires of speculation with an interview in Variety.
“I feel like I’m a prisoner at war here, and I can only give you my name, rank and serial number,” said Oz when asked about an appearance in The Last Jedi. “To be true to the people who asked me, and they are kind of my family, I have to say I’ve been asked not to talk about it. I love Yoda. I would be happy to talk to you about it at the time they let me.”
Now, it is of course possible that Oz has been asked by Lucasfilm not to confirm or deny any reports; however, Ian McDiarmid had no issue denying Emperor Palpatine’s involvement in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, so Oz’s comments certainly suggest there’s some truth to the rumours.
SEE ALSO: Detailed description of Star Wars: The Last Jedi footage surfaces
Star Wars: The Last Jedi is set for release on December 15th and sees returning cast members Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Carrie Fisher (Leia Organa), Adam Driver (Kylo Ren), Daisy Ridley (Rey), John Boyega (Finn), Oscar Isaac (Poe Dameron), Lupita Nyong’o (Maz Kanata), Domhnall Gleeson (General Hux), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), Gwendoline Christie (Captain Phasma), Billie Lourd (Lieutenant Connix), Andy Serkis (Supreme Leader Snoke), Peter Mayhew and Joonas Suotamo (Chewbacca), Tim Rose (Admiral Ackbar), Mike Quinn (Nien Nunb), Simon Pegg (Unkar Plutt), and Warwick Davis joined by new additions Jimmy Vee (Pan) as R2-D2, Benicio Del Toro (Guardians of the Galaxy), Laura Dern (Jurassic Park) and Kelly Marie Tran (Ladies Like Us).