The trailer of the ‘Rise of Skywalker,’ the last instalment in the franchise’s newest trilogy, spotlights all its big stars. Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac and Adam Driver return in the film.
Also reprising their iconic roles for the conclusion are ‘Star Wars’ royalty Mark Hamill as the titular Luke Skywalker, the late Carrie Fisher as Leia Organa (via archive footage), Anthony Daniels as C-3P0 and Billy Dee Williams as Lando Calrissian.
It begins by invoking images of Luke Skywalker and Yoda training in ‘Star Wars: Return of the Jedi,’ but Rey (Ridley), looking determined, looks to be alone in a forest-like setting. Many voices narrate the trailer, including the voice of a familiar Sith Lord who ominously mutters: “Your coming together will be your undoing.” And yes, there was a “coming together” as scenes of Rey and Kylo Ren (Driver) fighting against each other and fighting as allies are dispersed throughout the space fights and droid battles.
The studio giant has been dangling the highly anticipated arrival of its galactic holiday tentpole since the first teaser dropped in April, featuring a fully restored version of Luke’s signature blue lightsaber, a brand-new droid, a reunion between Lando and the Millennium Falcon and the return of Emperor Palpatine — whose trademark evil laugh got immediate meme treatment on the internet.
More details surrounding the reboot’s epic culmination emerged this summer at Disney’s D23 Expo, where director JJ Abrams offered a preview joined by the cast including ‘Star Wars’ newcomer Keri Russell, whose casting last year sparked a flurry of fan theories. ‘The Americans’ alum described her character, Zori Bliss — an “old friend” of Isaac’s Poe Dameron — as “very cool and a little shady. She’s kind of a criminal.”
In addition to fan favourites such as Ridley’s Rey and Boyega’s Finn, Episode IX will reunite several other key players in the saga, including Joonas Suotamo as Chewbacca, Kelly Marie Tran as Rose Tico, Lupita Nyong’o as Maz Kanata, Domhnall Gleeson as General Hux and Fisher’s daughter, Billie Lourd, as Lt Connix.
‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,’ the follow-up to 2015’s ‘The Force Awakens’ and 2017’s ‘The Last Jedi,’ launches into US theatres on December 20.
