There isn’t much else to talk about when a new STAR WARS film is on its way to theatres, and this week all the headlines will once again be pointed towards that far, far away galaxy when the 9th episode, and 11th STAR WARS film, titled THE RISE OF SKYWALKER arrives. Here now in this spoiler-free preview, is everything you need to know about this highly anticipated film.
What is this all about? – THE RISE OF SKYWALKER is the 9th episode in the Skywalker Saga, which began in 1977 with STAR WARS, and continued with THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (1980), and RETURN OF THE JEDI (1983). The Saga was then explored further in the Prequel Trilogy, which included THE PHANTOM MENACE (1999), ATTACK OF THE CLONES (2002), and REVENGE OF THE SITH (2005). SKYWALKER is the third of the Sequel Trilogy, which started in 2015 with THE FORCE AWAKENS, and continued with THE LAST JEDI (2017). In this trilogy and Saga capper, the Resistance continues their fight against the evil First Order, while an old enemy begins to stir.
Who is behind this? – THE RISE OF SKYWALKER is directed by J.J. Abrams, who directed THE FORCE AWAKENS. His other directing credits include STAR TREK (2009), SUPER 8 (2011), and MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE III (2006). The script is co-written by Abrams and Chris Terrio, whose writing credits include the Oscar-winning ARGO (2012), and the troubled BATMAN V. SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE (2016).
Who is in front of this? – Returning cast members include Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, Kelly Marie Tran, Oscar Isaac, John Boyega, Lupita Nyong’o, and Domhnall Gleeson. Newcomers to the franchise are Richard E. Grant, Keri Russell, and Naomi Ackie. Reprising their legacy-roles are Carrie Fisher, Anthony Daniels, Mark Hamill, Billy Dee Williams, and Ian McDiarmid.
Random Facts – Carrie Fisher, who passed away in 2016, will return in the film as General/Princess Leia by way of unused footage from the last two films, which were re-structured to fit into the story * J. J. Abrams is the second director to helm more than one STAR WARS film, with the first being series creator George Lucas * Anthony Daniels, as the worrisome droid C-3PO, is the only actor to appear in all nine episodes * Actress Billie Lourd, the daughter of Carrie Fisher, was 26 during filming, which was the same age Fisher was when she filmed RETURN OF THE JEDI * Actor Dominic Monaghan becomes the fourth LORD OF THE RINGS actor to appear in a STAR WARS film, joining the ranks of Sir Christopher Lee, Andy Serkis, and Bruce Spence * This is the first STAR WARS film since the passing of Peter Mayhew, who played the mighty Chewbacca * This will be the final STAR WARS score by John Williams * Disney has warned that the film contains scenes with flashing strobe lights which can induce seizures for people who are photosensitive * This is the first STAR WARS movie since RETURN OF THE JEDI to be shot entirely on celluloid * The running time is 142 minutes *
What to Expect – In 2017, THE LAST JEDI, as the middle-chapter in the trilogy, left a lot of mystery to be resolved…as any middle-chapter is supposed to do. It will be the burden of SKYWALKER to tie things up, with the additional burden of wrapping up the entire Saga. After all, after RETURN OF THE JEDI we were certain that the Skywalker story was over, so Abrams and SKYWALKER have to justify the Sequel Trilogy with a proper and satisfying conclusion. Abrams has a great knack for action and amazing-looking films, so we can certainly expect a lot of fun backed by stunning visuals. The cast members have proven their talent, and it will be a joy to see them one last time, along with the emotional goodbye we will inevitably have to cry through for the legacy characters. THE RISE OF SKYWALKER has a lot to do, so we can expect a galaxy-sized story to come our way…which is what STAR WARS deserves.
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THE RISE OF SKYWALKER opens in full December 20th, with limited engagements on December 19th.
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