A new book detailing the art of The Last Jedi features some concepts George Lucas had done before he sold Lucasfilm off to Disney. He was reportedly set to direct what became The Force Awakens before he handed over the reins to Disney and had some concept art drawn up to reflect his vision. In the concept art and Lucas' pitch, Luke is exiled away on an island that looks like Ahch-To, but with Jedi temples that look more like something from Return of the Jedi.
George Lucas originally had the idea that 30 years after Return of the Jedi, Luke Skywalker was in a bad place and shut himself off from his friends, refusing to teach a new generation the ways of the Jedi. So again, you can put your blame on the man who gave you the prequels when you whine about Lucas doing it better. There is one major change though. George Lucas was going to have Mark Hamill's Luke come back midway through the events of Episode VII, which makes sense when you think of Hamill talking about liking some of Lucas' ideas better. It was determined that the first installment of the new trilogy should focus more on the new characters and that Han Solo was already eating up enough nostalgia time on the screen.
For fans griping about Luke Skywalker hiding and being a broken Jedi, blame the creator, George Lucas for that planted seed. And then thank J.J. Abrams for watering the idea, and then Rian Johnson trying to salvage as much of the harvest as he possibly could. Luke Skywalker was going to be on Ahch-To no matter what, so you might as well get over that complaint.
