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SPOILER ALERT: The following article contains some potential spoilers for the upcoming “Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker,” as well as spoilers for the previous two installments of the “Star Wars” saga, “The Force Awakens” and “The Last Jedi.”- - - - - -
THE GALAXY — In addition to concluding the franchise’s modern trilogy that began with 2015’s “The Force Awakens,” the upcoming “Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker” might wrap up one of the galaxy’s oldest storylines, according to Vanity Fair. The magazine reported potential details about the film Wednesday in a comprehensive preview of the ninth “Star Wars” movie, out Dec. 20. The preview also provides first-look photos of some of the new characters in the film, as well as pictures from the set in the Wadi Rum desert in Jordan.
Disney and Lucasfilm — for obvious reasons — have kept the plot of the new movie under wraps. But Vanity Fair said sources close to the movie confirmed some (admittedly vague) plot elements from “The Rise of Skywalker.”
The film will “bring to a climax” the conflict between the heroic Jedi Order and the Sith, their evil counterparts, according to Vanity Fair. The two groups have been butting heads for millennia in the “Star Wars” universe.
The magazine also said the powers of the current trilogy’s main protagonist, Rey (Daisy Ridley), will have significantly progressed by the events of the film, so much so that her Jedi training will be nearly finished.
The Knights of Ren, an order of elite warriors aligned to the dark side, also will make an appearance in the new film, according to Vanity Fair. The current trilogy’s primary antagonist, Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), is part of the Knights of Ren.
Nobody knows yet which Skywalker will “rise” as the title of the film alludes to, but Mark Hamill does appear as Luke Skywalker in one of the Vanity Fair photos.
'The Rise of Skywalker': New 'Star Wars: Episode IX' trailer hints at Rey's past
The conclusion to the legendary franchise’s current trilogy hits theaters Dec. 20. It’s directed by J.J. Abrams, who previously helmed “Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens” in 2015.Other cast members from the original “Star Wars” trilogy set to appear in “The Rise of Skywalker” include Billy Dee Williams, who plays Lando Calrissian, and Anthony Daniels as the droid C-3PO.
The late Carrie Fisher also will appear in the film as Leia. The film’s director, J.J. Abrams, pieced together previously unused “Star Wars” footage that Fisher shot before she died in 2016, according to Vanity Fair.
Fisher will appear in some scenes with her daughter, Billie Lourd, who plays a character in the film, according to the magazine. Abrams wrote scenes around the old footage so that Fisher could posthumously be a part of the film, he told the magazine.
There’s still more than half a year left before “The Rise of Skywalker” will be released. No doubt that fans of the immensely popular franchise will continue speculating about the details of the movie in the meantime.
What do you think of the new details about the movie? Let us know in the comments.
