It's a very exciting time to be a Star Wars fan. Once Disney acquired Lucasfilm, a variety of new and exciting projects came to the galaxy far, far away. This includes standalone films and main installments, which continue the narrative George Lucas began back in A New Hope. The Skywalker Saga will end forever with J.J. Abrams mysterious Episode IX, and the generations of fans are eager for any and all information regarding the upcoming blockbuster.
The wait for Episode IX has been especially hard, since December of 2018 was the first time in years that a new addition didn't arrive in theaters for the holiday season. And given the pressure of completing a narrative that spans nine films, anticipation is at a fever pitch. So when will we finally get to see the first trailer? If you ask me, it's coming next month.
Smart money says that the first trailer for Episode IX (and likely the debut of its mysterious title) will be timed with the release of Avengers: Endgame. The movie has a similar sense of stakes and pressure, as it will complete Phase Three of the MCU. Endgame is expected to break box office records, so it's the perfect venue to debut the first look at Episode IX, and continue Disney's domination over the blockbuster landscape.
While this is just a theory and totally unconfirmed by the studio, there has been some precedent set for the first Star Wars trailer arriving in April. For instance, the first trailer for The Last Jedi arrived in April of 2017, amping up excitement for Rian Johson's December release. The Last Jedi didn't have a massive MCU blockbuster to use as a proxy, while Episode IX's potential trailer debut could send the fandom into a frenzy-- especially combined with their excitement over Endgame.
The House Of Mouse has their marketing game on point, and masterfully chooses trailers to accompany their big releases-- building up excitement for the next Disney release. For instance, Captain Marvel's trailer included a stunning look at the upcoming remake of The Lion King, which was made all the more enticing in 3-D showings. Avengers: Endgame seems like a prime time to finally debut some information and footage of Episode IX, as the public has seen nothing from J.J. Abrams' return to the franchise.
The stakes for Episode IX could not be higher, as J.J. Abrams must conclude the trilogy he began with The Force Awakens, as well as the entire Skywalker Saga. Generations of fans are looking to see how the beloved space opera will end, and see characters return like Lando Calrissian and Luke Skywalker. Additionally, Carrie Fisher's Leia will be included through unused footage from the last two movies, which is sure to be a fascinating to watch.
Episode IX will arrive in theaters on December 20th. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.
