“Star Wars” got a last look Monday night at “The Rise of Skywalker” before the film hits theaters this Christmas courtesy of the final trailewr, and shocker, Kylo Ren and Rey use lightsabers in it.
Disney/Lucasfilm are keeping the story under tight lockdown. We know almost nothing about the actual plot. The previous “The Rise of Skywalker” trailer teased that Rey might turn to the Dark Side of the Force, complete with a wicked red Swiss Army knife of a lightsaber. We didn’t see any evidence of Rey turning to the dark side, but we did get to see her waving around her regular light saber while Kylo waves his unique crossguard blade.
The trailer also shows us new locales, including a crowded marketplace, a place where icebergs float in the sky, and somehow a huge new Resistance (or Rebellion? We honestly don’t know at this point) fleet. Plus more evil-sounding dialogue from Emperor Palpatine. But this final trailer also has one of the more melancholy moments in recent “Star Wars”-related things: we see C-3PO being rewired for some reason, and Poe asks him what he’s doing.
“I’m taking one last look, sir. At my friends,” he says. Uh oh.
Episode IX is the conclusion to the Skywalker Saga, and it brings back director J.J. Abrams from “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” to finish the story he started with Rey (Daisy Ridley), Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), Finn (John Boyega) and Poe (Oscar Isaac). It will be curious though how the end to this franchise might set up future films that live within the “Star Wars” universe.
“The Rise of Skywalker” though brings back yet another familiar face. Billy Dee Williams is reprising his role as Lando Calrissian in the film. Mark Hamill and the late Carrie Fisher will also be back, and they’ll be joined by Anthony Daniels, Naomi Ackie, Domhnall Gleeson, Richard E. Grant, Lupita Nyong’o, Keri Russell, Joonas Suotamo, Kelly Marie Tran and Ian McDiarmid as Palpatine.
“Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” is directed by Abrams and is produced by Kathleen Kennedy, Abrams and Michelle Rejwan. Callum Greene, Tommy Gormley and Jason McGatlin serve as executive producers. Abrams also wrote the screenplay along with Chris Terrio.
Disney and Lucasfilm’s trailer for “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” debuted on ESPN’s broadcast of Monday Night Football. The film opens in theaters on Dec. 20. Watch the new and final trailer above.