A new look at the upcoming Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker [1] is here, and it's glorious.
The first trailer for Rise of Skywalker, formerly dubbed Episode IX, was revealed during a panel at the Star Wars Celebration event in Chicago back on April 12. Director J.J. Abrams [2] and Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy presented fans with the title and trailer, along with The Rise of Skywalker stars [3] Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Kelly Marie Tran, and newcomer Naomi Ackie.
Fans got another look at the film during Disney's biennial D23 Expo in August, and in October, the final trailer dropped on what would have been Carrie Fisher's 63rd birthday. The trailer shows brand-new footage from Rise of Skywalker, with friends united, past villains resurrected, massive fleets getting ready for galactic war, and a brief glimpse of General Leia.
Of course, it wouldn't be Star Wars without an epic duel, and it looks like Rey and Kylo Ren are due for another one. But this one might have some dire consequences. The D23 trailer ends with a decidedly dark new look for Rey, complete with a red, double-bladed lightsaber. Could this be a vision depicting Rey's possible future? Or does Emperor Palpatine's evil laughter [5] from the first trailer herald his corruption of another Jedi?
According to Variety [6], Abrams explained that "some time has gone by" in the film and it won't take place immediately after [7] the events of 2017's The Last Jedi. He also discussed how The Rise of Skywalker is expected to wrap up the Skywalker family saga [8], more than 40 years after the original Star Wars hit cinemas.
We can't wait to see what other surprises await when Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker premieres on Dec. 19.
