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THE GALAXY — Princess Leia! Billy Dee Williams! Rey dueling an enemy ship with only a lightsaber!
Those are just a few of the things you can see in the first trailer for “Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker,” which debuted Friday morning during the “Star Wars Celebration" event in Chicago.
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.
Does the film’s title — also unveiled Friday — reveal details about Rey’s past? Fans have wondered if the current trilogy’s heroine is somehow connected to the Skywalker family. Her past has been shrouded in mystery thus far.
The trailer begins with a voiceover from Luke Skywalker saying “A thousand generations live in you now.” That’s presumably addressed to Rey (Daisy Ridley) who is shown in a desert landscape as an enemy fighter approaches from afar.
The other main characters of the trilogy also make appearances in the trailer: Finn (John Boyega), Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) and Poe (Oscar Isaac).
Notably, though, two other “Star Wars” fan favorites will be back in this movie. Billy Dee Williams is shown, reprising his role as Lando Calrissian for the first time since 1983’s “Return of the Jedi.”
Carrie Fisher, who died in 2016, also makes an appearance as Princess Leia.
The trailer ends with an ominous, evil cackle from an offscreen character. Fans will have to wait until December to find out who the laugh is coming from, and for revelations for the secrets surrounding this “Star Wars” story.
What do you think of the new trailer? Let us know in the comments.
