The first Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker trailer dropped at Star Wars Celebration in April, and fans were later treated to some new footage at D23 in August. Now, with only two months to go until the movie’s finally released to the masses, Disney and Lucasfilm have delivered a brand-new trailer as promised. Take a look!
It’s the end of an era. Not only will Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker wrap up the events of the Sequel Trilogy, it will also serve as the final chapter of the Skywalker Saga, which began decades ago with A New Hope. And boy, does it look like things are going to end with a bang.
The big surprise from the Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker teaser trailer was that Emperor Palpatine would somehow play a role in the proceedings. For years we’ve thought he died when Darth Vader tossed him down that shaft in the second Death Star during Return of the Jedi, but this preview seemingly indicates that Palpatine will be resurrected during this latest cinematic tale set in a galaxy far, far away. Either that, or someone is going to a lot of trouble to resemble him in that shot where Rey is looking at someone in a dark cloak sitting in a looming throne.
As is typically the case when it comes to Lucasfilm advertising Star Wars movies, this latest Rise of Skywalker trailer barely sheds any light on the specifics of the story. There are plenty of cool shots, from more rounds of Rey and Kylo Ren lightsaber dueling to the space battle between The Resistance and The First Order, but the overall narrative path is still shrouded in secrecy.
But action is just one element on display. But Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker also wants to tap into your feels, and C-3PO saying how he’s looking taking one last look at his friends really hits home. (Though his eyes are probably going to turn red soon after, aren’t they?) More Star Wars movies are coming next decade, and Disney+ shows like The Mandalorian are providing another way for us to absorb live-action adventures set in a galaxy far, far away, but this could be the last time we seem these particular characters onscreen.
So needless to say there’s a lot riding on Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, which was directed by J.J. Abrams, the man who shepherded the return of the Star Wars franchise to the big screen with The Force Awakens four years ago. Fingers crossed The Rise of Skywalker can not only deliver a satisfying end to this era of Star Wars history, but also help draw the polarized factions of the Star Wars fanbase back together.
Along with dropping a new trailer, Lucasfilm also provided a brand-new poster for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, which you can study to your heart’s content below.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker opens in theaters on December 20, so stay tuned to CinemaBlend for continuing coverage. For now, find out what’s coming out for the rest of the year with our 2019 release schedule.
