“No One’s Ever Really Gone”
The end of the beginning has begun. Though, if you’re counting from Episode 1, it’s more like the end of the end. The first teaser trailer for Star Wars Episode 9 has arrived, and it’s full of mystery. The ninth mainline film, directed by JJ Abrams and produced by Kathleen Kennedy, marks the end of a new saga that began in 2015.
Thus, since there might be too many theories and easter eggs to count, I’m going to let the fandom watch this trailer so that we can talk about it.
Yes, the name of the final entry is Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
Theories will immediately point to Kylo Ren driving the fighter that’s charging Rey. If anything, her depiction tells us how far along she is in her Jedi training. Moreover, as was revealed during the Star Wars Celebration event in Chicago, she’s been reading the books that Luke Skywalker (Mark Hammill) had stashed away in his hut. The trailer also tells us that previous cast members will return, members of the old cast included.
Billy Dee Williams has reprised his role as Lando Calrissian to pilot the Millenium Falcon. Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) is making a comeback, and it looks like his helmet has been fixed. C3-PO (Anthony Daniels), Po Dameron (Oscar Isaac), and Finn (John Boyega) return and share a shot with Daisy Ridley at the very end. That’s just before we hear the biggest reveal of the trailer. Is that Palpatine laughing?
Ian McDiarmid, the actor who plays Darth Sidious in the sequels, made a physical appearance at the very end of Star Wars Celebration. Perhaps his presence confirms that Emperor Palpatine will return in Star Wars Episode 9. “No one is ever really gone,” as Luke says.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker will hit theaters in December 2019. What are your thoughts on the teaser? Comment down below.