Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
C-3PO/Threepio (played by Anthony Daniels), Zorii Bliss (played by Keri Russell), Poe Dameron (played by Oscar Isaac), Finn (played by John Boyega), and Rey (played by Daisy Ridley) featured in a pivotal moment in the final trailer. “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” will be the last film in the Skywalker saga. Photo from IMDb.com.
“What, uh, what are you doing there, 3PO?,” asked Poe Dameron.
C-3PO responded, “Taking one last look, sir. At my friends.”
“Star Wars” fan favorite, C-3PO (also written as Threepio), spoke this seemingly bittersweet line in the final trailer for “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.”
Based on that line, some are speculating an unexpected death of the beloved droid. But, the most important thing to remember is this will be the last film in the main series. Just let that sink in…
Lucasfilm’s dropped the much anticipated trailer Oct. 21 during a New England Patriots and the New York Jets football game as well as YouTube. The epic space opera is a continuation chronicling the Resistance’s battle against the evil First Order.
As Mashable perfectly stated, “If you didn’t feel a lump in your throat during the Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker trailer released Monday night, check your pulse. The first jerker of tears is the simple fact that this is it: the last ever full trailer that will ever be released for a Skywalker saga movie.”
Honestly, the emotions truly began when John Williams’ re-imaged scored of his most long-lasting and recognizable theme played at 1:26. Williams wanted to “put the bow on the package” knowing this would be the end of a saga. “Put the bow on the package” is an understatement. We are unworthy of this epicness.
(L) The post volume for the keywords “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.” (R) The post volume for the keyword “Star Wars.” Photos from Adam Brown Social Media Command Center Social Media Studio.
The total post volume for using the keyword “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” was 78,000. However, when searching for “Star Wars,” the post volume was 468,000. The mentions of the second keyword was in relation to the new trailer being released. Most of the posts came from Twitter, but over 20 percent of the posts came from YouTube for both keywords. The trailer has 9.4 million views and is rapidly rising, but will be even higher by the time this article is published.
The trailer began with Rey, the lead character in the newest trilogy, running through a jungle. Then followed a series of shots featuring Finn, Poe Dameron, Kylo Ren, Chewbacca and Rose Tico. Additionally, the trailer featured brief shots of the Death Star II, characters arriving as the cavalry, the Resistance battling the First Order and beautiful landscapes. One shot possibly gave viewers a glimpse of the final showdown between Rey and Kylo Ren (the new leader of the First Order) surrounded by an ocean. At 1:51, you can see the two opposing characters destroying the old Darth Vader mask featured in the “The Force Awakens.” However many news sites are focusing on the voiceovers from Luke, Leia, and… Emperor Palpatine (Gasp!).
Both Mark Hamill (whose character died in “The Last Jedi”) and Carrie Fisher have top billing according to IGN. However, audiences will have to wait until the Christmas season to see how much screen time the on-screen twins will receive. Vulture reported Fisher’s Leia would appear in the final film, but will feature unused footage previously shot. Lucasfilm’s released the newest and final trailer on her birthday to honor the late actress, who died in December 2016.
Billy Dee Williams, who will reprise his role as Landon Calrissian, hoped “The Rise of Skywalker” would surpass “Avengers: Endgame.” According to Deadline, pre-ticket sales beat the Marvel film by 45 percent. Photos from Adam Brown Social Media Command Center Social Media Studio.
The final film features the return of a fan favorite Landon Calrissian as well. However, news outlets such as NBC and Mashable are wondering if this film marks the return of the infamous villain from the original trilogy and prequels. Emperor Palpatine played a key role in turning Anakin Skywalker to the dark side to become the villainous Darth Vader. Viewers will see Palpatine’s stone throne at the 0:54 with a voiceover stating, “Long have I waited, and now your coming together is your undoing.” This maybe in reference to Rey and Ren coming together.
In previous footage released by Lucasfilms, not only may this be the return of Palpatine, but possibly Rey turning to the dark side. At the D23 Expo in August, Variety reported Ridley suggested the film will explore Rey’s struggles with the dark side.
She stated, “It’s really the most human thing because [everybody] struggles. Everybody’s like, ‘One thing’s pulling me this way, one thing’s pulling me this way. What’s this journey going to be, and where am I going to end up?’”
Entertainment Tonight revealed footage from the D23 Expo featuring Rey in a dark-hooded cloak carrying a double-sided red lightsaber. So, there is the possibility Rey will turn. However, like all of J.J. Abrams films, it is speculation until the release date. Cue the sad face and continuing fan theories.
The film will be released in the United States Dec. 20, 2019.