Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise Of Skywalker First Trailer and Poster Revealed

“Every generation has a legend.”

Lucasfilm has dropped the first trailer for the final entry in the latest Star Wars trilogy. Not only do we get our first look but during today’s Star Wars Celebration, the film’s official title was also revealed. Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise Of Skywalker follows the two previous films in this new trilogy. But let’s get to that first trailer.

The previous two films in the trilogy, The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi (directed by Rian Johnson), have become the highest-grossing Star Wars films in the entire franchise, grossing more than the original films, the prequels or either of the spinoffs, Rogue One and Solo. Episode IX – is, again, directed by Force Awakens helmer J.J. Abrams, and the film is heading our way this holiday season.

Check out the first trailer for Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise Of Skywalker below:

We get our first looks at our returning heroes as well as our questionable villain in Kylo Ren. A few quick glimpses of our fallen resistance in the middle of the desert and an entire hero sequence for Rey as she shows off her new force prowess. However, nothing will quite be talked about more from this teaser than the reveal that Emperor Palpatine is back…in some form, to perhaps battle the Skywalkers yet again.

As for the Episode’s title, there have been a number of popular theories such as A New Order, referring either to a new Jedi Order or a new First Order; The Last Hope, paralleling Lucas’ first Star Wars film, A New Hope; and Balance the Force, which would put an emphasis on the struggle between Rey and Kylo, but comes across a little clunky. None of these were the case as the title was revealed during Star Wars Celebration. The Rise Of Skywalker is the film’s official title, opening the door on a myriad of options as far as how this film could end, and where could the saga go from here. Could the rise of a Skywalker refer to Kylo Ren taking on the mantle of his lineage?

Additionally, during the panel at Celebration in Chicago, Lucasfilm unveiled a slew of new images, including a first look at a returning Lando, as well the returning principal cast like Rey, Finn, Poe, Rose, and Kylo Ren. As well as a few glimpses at some wonderful, practical alien makeups.

Daisy Ridley, John Boyega and Oscar Isaac all return to the Resistance as Rey, Finn, and Poe. Adam Driver also returns as Kylo Ren. Joonas Suotamo’s Chewbacca, Jimmy Vee’s R2-D2, Anthony Daniels’ C-3PO, and BB-8 will be along for the ride, along with Kelly Marie Tran’s Rose, Lupita Nyong’o’s Maz Kanata, Domhnall Gleeson’s General Hux, and Billie Lourd’s Lieutenant Connix. Kerri Russell (The Americans), Dominic Monaghan (Lord of the Rings), Matt Smith (The Crown), Richard E. Grant (Can You Ever Forgive Me?) and Naomi Ackie (Lady Macbeth) have all joined the cast in still-unknown roles. Though Ackie’s character was revealed during Celebration via a brand new photo, and playing a character named Jannah (possibly Lando’s daughter).

Neither Benicio del Toro’s backstabbing character DJ or Gwendolyn Christie’s seemingly defeated Captain Phasma will return for this Episode. Additionally, Andy Serkis’ General Snoke is also good and dead it would seem.

However, both Carrie Fischer and Mark Hamill will appear in Episode IX. Fisher died in December 2016, about a year before the release of Last Jedi. She finished filming that movie, and Leia is alive, well and still the leader of the Resistance at the end of that movie. Disney CEO Bob Iger has emphasized that Disney will not use CGI to recreate Leia in the new film, nor will they cast a new actor to play the role. Instead, Lucasfilm will integrate unused footage of Fisher that Rian Johnson initially filmed for Last Jedi. However, Hamill is still very much alive and even though Luke came to a physical end in the last entry, he is most likely to appear as a Force Ghost to Rey, very much in the vein of Obi-Wan and Yoda in previous Episodes.

Star Wars Episode IX – The Rise Of Skywalker will premiere on Dec. 20, 2019.

---

Source: Lucasfilm, Disney