I am fan of Star Wars, and my children have taken after my fandom. Having an entire new trilogy coming out to the big screen during their lives is something that helps bond us.

Even though it is a fantasy world, it has a following so strong that many fans themselves come up with their own conspiracy theories and write epic takedowns of the franchise now run by Disney. While I understand some of the heat, I’m just happy to see new material created. Because in the Star Wars universe, in a galaxy far, far away, there are countless stories to be told — and not just of Luke Skywalker. 

I wanted a Han Solo trilogy, and an Obi-Wan Kenobi series. I want a standalone movie following Ahsoka Tano, and a live action show based in the outer rim. I want to see stories of the Knights of the Old Republic, and aerial dogfights in asteroid fields. Surely there are numerous written stories both canon and unauthorized canon in the extended universe, on these topics, but I am not a big fan of reading anything that’s not an article (my ADHD has always made it hard for me to read books). I prefer to let my mind wander and become immersed in visual scenes instead.

The original creation of this universe was to tell the story of the Skywalkers — mostly Luke and Anakin — and the balance of good and evil. It was foretold in the Jedi texts that a “Chosen One” would come to bring a balance to the Force. The Jedi and Sith rivaled each other for a thousand generations for power and order. First, it was thought by some that Anakin Skywalker was the “Chosen One,” instead shunning the teachings of his mentor Obi-Wan and joining the Dark Side as Darth Vader.

Then it was believed the “Chosen One” to be Anakin’s son, Luke — though Jedi Master Yoda informed Obi-Wan that “no, there is another.” And then many believed the “Chosen One” to be Luke’s twin sister, Leia.

This new trilogy has fans believing that it is now Rey, the young scavenger girl from Jakku. Others think maybe it is Kylo Ren, born as Ben Solo to Leia and Han, and that the upcoming Episode IX will see him redeemed from the dark side and join the light like his grandfather before him.

In my family, there is an unbalance in the force as well. My wife and I have two girls in the home and just one boy. But in December, just in time for Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker (due out Dec. 20), our own “Chosen One” will arrive, bringing balance to the force in our own home. I am having a son.

I can only hope that one day in the future, when a peer is pressuring him into doing something dumb, he will look into that fool’s eyes and say, “I am a Jedi, like my father before me,” and turn down their mischievous advances. Then again, he’s going to be my kid, so I am prepared for the inevitable — he’ll do as I did, and not as I said to do.

— Adam Krebs is a reporter for the Times and is eager to wear his Jedi Master cosplay outfit on opening night of Rise of Skywalker. Adam can be reached at akrebs@themonroetimes.net or by using Force. Please note the Force does not currently have a phone app, and only those with a certain amount of Midi-chlorians will be able to communicate in this manner.