Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

By Reggie's Take on April 12, 2019

Disney and Lucasfilm released the first teaser trailer for the highly anticipated concluding chapter of the Skywalker saga.

J.J. Abrams after directing “The Force Awakens” in 2015 stepped away for Rian Johnson’s “The Last Jedi” in 2017 only to return to the director’s chair for “The Rise of Skywalker”.

Before the teaser for “The Rise of Skywalker” dropped on Friday little was known about Episode IX. After the teaser we seem to be left with just as many questions that will keep us all talking. The biggest question for me does not come from what I saw in the trailer, but from the title.

Exactly what does “The Rise of Skywalker” mean or refer to? I’m fairly certain it’s not referring to Luke returning to life. I realize their are those who didn’t care for The Last Jedi, but one of the strongest parts of Rian Johnson’s movie was that of Luke Skywalker and no Rian Johnson did not kill Star Wars.

Rian Johnson made bold story choices that I felt fell very much in line with the Star Wars universe as a whole. Everyone complained that Abrams with “The Force Awakens” was too much like a New Hope; it didn’t take any risk or tell a bold or original story. So here comes Rian Johnson who did give us a bold new Star Wars story that took risk. How did fans react? Like kids who didn’t get what they wanted and threw a fit and stormed off the playground. The last remark may seem harsh, but it’s the way some fans came across, especially to those who liked or enjoyed The Last Jedi for what it was.

There are plenty of theories out there that seem plausible when it comes to the title. Rey, being that she comes from no one takes the last name of Skywalker to carry on Luke’s legacy. Another is that Kylo is redeemed and goes back to using the name Ben, but instead of Solo goes with Skywalker instead. For me personally I don’t want to see Kylo redeemed at all. After you kill your father and that father being Han Solo, you don’t deserve to be forgiven.

The one big moment that I wasn’t expecting was that of Palpatine’s laugh near the end of the teaser. My jaw dropped as soon as I heard it. It was after hearing Palpatine’s laugh that I noticed the huge piece of the Death Star sitting in that body of water while watching the trailer for the second time. I can only assume that part of this movie will take place on Endor, which begs the question will we get Ewoks again?

For the very first teaser trailer I’m excited for what’s to come with The Rise of Skywalker. J.J. has said in the past and again during the panel on Friday that Episode IX would bring a conclusion to the Skywalker saga that would be exciting and emotionally satisfying and I’m counting on it.

Cast: Daisy Ridley, Mark Hamill, Adam Driver, Anthony Daniels, Billy Dee Williams, Carrie Fisher, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Joonas Suotamo, Billie Lourd, with Naomi Ackie, Richard E. Grant, Keri Russell, Matt Smith, Dominic Monaghan