After the big reveal on Monday of the most recent trailer for the upcoming "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," "Star Wars" fans are all buzzing with excitement. Hardcore fans are excited to see their favorite characters from the original trilogy return for another exciting adventure. The trailer was successful at telling enough without telling too much and leaving the fans wanting more. Fans were definitely happy to see their favorite pilot, Han Solo return along with Chewbacca and Princess Leia. But one thing I noticed that was asked a lot and even asked myself was, "Where is Luke Skywalker?" The trailer introduced us to our new heroes along with our returning heroes as well as introducing us to our new antagonist but there was no mention whatsoever of Luke Skywalker in this trailer. Now the question among all "Star Wars" fans is what role will the Jedi Master be playing in this new film? Speculation has already begun among fans and I myself have found myself developing my own theories, three of which I would like to share. Now keep in mind these are just my opinions and could (and most likely will be) way off when the movie finally comes out.

Luke is the Villain

Now I know I am not the only one who thinks this is a possibility. After the trailer premiered, I actually googled "Luke Skywalker Force Awakens" and most articles I saw all began with "Is Luke Skywalker the Villain?" At first I laughed it off thinking that's impossible. But then I went back and re-watched the trailer and I found some evidence that could make it a possibility. The first thing I noticed was that in the beginning of the trailer, they showed the new Villain speaking to the helmet of Darth Vader. How can the villain have the head of Darth Vader? At the end of "Return of the Jedi" Luke was the one with Vader when he died and they showed him cremating Vader's body. Unless the villain went grave robbing to find the head of Darth Vader there has to be a reason that he has it. Could Luke have turned to the Dark Side after all? But now we all wonder how could that happen? What reason would he have for turning? I have a theory on that and bare with me it is simply a theory.

The way I could see Luke becoming a villain is by following the story of an old timer stuck on his old views that he goes to extreme measures to enforce them. Trying to rebuild the Jedi could have proved to be too much for Luke and his ideals for what the Jedi should be could have clashed with others. The new generation of Jedi could have wanted things a different way than what Luke had been taught and not willing to change his views could have gone to extreme measures to ensure his ways were followed. He could have been so stuck on his views that he was willing to destroy anyone who stood in his way, losing sight of the original ways of the Jedi and giving into the Dark Side. Now again this is just a theory but one that would make sense in an epic story, as Star Wars is an epic story.

Luke will be the Wise Hermit

I could see Luke being saved for much later in the movie and being in the role of the Wise One who gives the hero advice before they must face his destiny. In the second trailer for the movie that came out back in April, the trailer begins with a monologue from Luke describing the power of the Force and how he had it, his sister had it, his father had it and now "you" have it too. The "you" he could be referring to could be our new hero(es), Rey and/or Finn. I could see them struggling with understanding the power of the Force throughout the movie and being too afraid to confront their destiny. Then right before they have to face it, they seek out and encounter the now aged Luke and he gives them his wisdom and the encouragement to embrace the Power of the Force and use it for good.

I could see Luke having become a hermit and go into hiding just like Obi-Wan did. Having been known for taking down the Empire and with this new emerging Dark Power, he would probably want to lay low and not meet the same fate as the other Jedi. As Obi-Wan and Yoda went into hiding to keep hope for the Jedi alive, Luke would probably do the same and could also be waiting for our heroes to find him.

Like when Luke saw Obi-Wan in "Return of the Jedi" and his old master gave him a word of advice and wisdom and told him that he must face Vader again. Luke could be used as that last bit of Jedi wisdom needed to push our new heroes in the right direction and face their destinies. It is the old generation passing on their wisdom to the new generation, like in "The Godfather" when the aging Vito Corleone gives his son Michael advice as he prepared to take over as the new Don. It can be the moment that fans are waiting for, our old hero meets the new hero.

Luke will be a Mentor

Just as Obi-Wan was to him in the original movies, Luke could now take that role in this trilogy. Just like I said above about him giving his wisdom to the new generation of Jedi. He could be the one that pushes them into their journey as the role of a mentor does in an epic. He could seek them out and train them in the ways of the Force just like Obi-Wan and Yoda did for him. He could be the one to introduce them to Han Solo and Chewbacca as a way for them to continue their journey. And to explain why he isn't seen in the rest of the trailer, he could suffer the same fate as Obi-Wan and sacrifice himself to save our heroes but then come back as a spirit to continue aiding our heroes on their journey.

While we will not know the true fate of Luke Skywalker until the movie's release in December, there will still be speculation on the fate of our favorite Jedi Knight. Fan speculation will continue and people will come up with their own theories. It is a great way to get hyped for the movie and adds more excitement for the next chapter in the "Star Wars" saga. The fate of our heroes won't be known until Christmas and until then all we can do is wait. Until then, May the Force Be With You.