Finally, it has arrived. Star Wars reaches its conclusion with The Rise of Skywalker and now all expectations are on how this trilogy will end, which has been heavily questioned since Disney took over. Here we'll tell you all the details of the saga's final chapter.
During the 13th edition of Star Wars Celebration, the most anticipated moment arrived. Finally, the first teaser for Episode IX is here, and it has an official title: The Rise of Skywalker. After what Episode VIII left us, this trailer filled us with nostalgia and intrigue, because its name suggests the opposite of what was predicted—the end of the Skywalker family.
“Every generation has a legend,” as the trailer for “The Phantom Menace” once announced, along with “Every journey has a first step. Every saga has a beginning.” Incidentally, The Phantom Menace turns 20 and maybe that nod has something to do with it.
“This saga comes to an end.” Well, here the prediction doesn’t fail. Episode IX is the definitive ending. We’ll see if there’s a passing of the torch or if this part of the canon just ends. Bob Iger, Disney’s president, has decided not to continue, at least for a while, the canonical Star Wars movies. That’s why so many series about the universe created by George Lucas have been announced at this Star Wars Celebration.
As is customary, especially with J.J. Abrams, it’s about returning to basics, as we saw in The Force Awakens (2015). In the teaser we see a scene where Poe, Finn and C3PO escape in a ship at full speed while under attack. This scene closely resembles the rescue of Han and Leia in The Return of the Jedi (1983), where they were held in Jabba’s Palace and then rescued by Luke and company.
Leia’s appearance was a big question, since it was rumored there was no filmed footage for Episode IX and she could be replaced by CGI. Although in the trailer we only see a hug with Rey, similar to the one in Episode VII, it seems there will be a few more sequences with Carrie Fisher in her most iconic role.
As for the villain, we see a Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) more evil than ever, annihilating soldiers with his lightsaber and rebuilding his helmet, which makes him darker. Although after Episode VIII and Snoke’s death, that part of the plot weakened a bit. That’s why at the end of the teaser we hear Palpatine’s laugh. Here we can draw two conclusions if it truly is Darth Sidious: either it’s Abrams’ last resort to rescue the saga, or it was simply planned from the beginning in Episode VII. Hard to figure out, and to see that resolution we’ll have to wait a while.
In the panel presented today for Episode IX, we had Stephen Colbert as host, Warwick Davis as master of ceremonies, and also present were Kathleen Kennedy, J.J. Abrams and Anthony Daniels, among other figures.
J.J. Abrams will direct, with a script by Chris Terrio and J.J., the usual soundtrack by the master John Williams, and the cast includes Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Mark Hamill, Oscar Isaac, John Boyega, Kelly Marie Tran, Jimmy Vee, Anthony Daniels, Joonas Suotamo, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Billie Lourd, Keri Russell, Richard E. Grant, Dominic Monaghan and Naomi Ackie. Standouts are Billy Dee Williams, returning as Lando Calrissian after his last appearance in The Return of the Jedi (1983), and the eternal Carrie Fisher, who, as we mentioned, managed to film some parts that served to include her.
More Unforgettable Moments from the Trailer
Below we review some of the most emotional moments from the teaser:
All the conclusions we’ll see on the big screen on December 20, when “Star Wars Episode IX: Rise of Skywalker” closes a saga that, despite its ups and downs, has given us much happiness.
