The first trailer for “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” has been revealed, bringing with it some debut footage that reveals more than one might think upon first look. The trailer runs two minutes, but contains at least 16 eye-opening shots that tease where the story is going next in what Lucasfilm is calling the end of the Skywalker saga. Click the gallery for a full “The Rise of Skywalker” trailer breakdown.
The trailer begins with Daisy Ridley’s Rey standing calm and collected in a desert setting. This is a cooler, calmer, and more confident version of Rey that suggests all of her training under Lyke Skywalker in “The Last Jedi” has paid off.
Daisy Ridley had mentioned during the Star Wars Celebration panel that Rey would once again put Luke Skywalker’s lightsaber to use. The trailer did not take long to show fans that Luke’s weapon is right by Rey’s side and ready to be used for combat.
It would not be a “Star Wars” film without an eye-popping desert setting. Some fans believe “The Rise of Skywalker” will return to Jakku, Rey’s home planet that was first introduced in “The Force Awakens.” Whether or not this confrontation between Rey and a First Order jet takes place on Jakku remains to be seen.
Rey is standing in the desert awaiting a First Order fighter, although the trailer does not give away who exactly is piloting the ship. Viewers are treated to a close-up of a pair of gloves, which makes it possible this is Kylo Ren. Could this desert setting be the host of the climactic face off between Rey and Kylo? It’s one of the biggest questions the trailer poses.
Just how much has Rey evolved in her force training since “The Last Jedi”? This moment suggests by leaps and bounds. Rey jumps into the air and over a speeding jet, proving she’s not just unstoppable but also the Resistance’s best hope at defeating The First Order.
A brief shot in the trailer shows a spaceship flying above a golden shimmering city set in an extremely rocky locale. Every “Star Wars” movie introduces a new part of the galaxy, and it appears this planet is at least one new locale.
Our first full glimpse of Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) in “The Rise of Skywalker” trailer shows the villain wielding his lightsaber during a battle in a wooded setting. The setting feels similar to the one where Kylo and Rey had their big fight in “The Force Awakens.” Kylo’s combat moves suggest his control over the Force has been advancing as well.
What’s a “Star Wars” villain without iconic head gear? After ruining his famous mask in “The Last Jedi,” Kylo Ren appears to be getting his helmet fixed up for the final confrontation against the Resistance.
After spending much of “The Last Jedi” in separate storylines, “The Rise of Skywalker” appears to be reuniting fan favorite characters Finn (John Boyega) and Poe (Oscar Isaac). The two characters became fast friends in “The Force Awakens,” so it’s only fitting they spend this final installment working together.
“The Rise of Skywalker” will introduce a new droid companion for BB8. The droid is named D-O and debuts in this shot in the trailer.
Billy Dee Williams returns to the “Star Wars” franchise in “The Rise of Skywalker.” The trailer debuted our first look at the beloved character, who is shown flying the Millennium Falcon in hyper-speed with Chewbacca as his co-pilot.
One of the most mysterious shots of the trailer is this one of a medal with unknown origins. Fans are already speculating that the character holding the object could be Leia (Carrie Fisher) and that the medal is the one Han, Leia, and Luke received at the end of the first “Star Wars” movie, “A New Hope.”
The late Carrie Fisher appears once in the trailer in a scene showing Leia embracing Rey. Director J.J. Abrams relied on footage he shot of Fisher on “The Force Awakens” that didn’t make it into the theatrical cut in order to ensure Leia’s story continued in “The Rise of Skywalker.”
Abrams has described “The Rise of Skywalker” as an adventure movie featuring the entire gang of new characters. One of the trailer’s final shots makes that plot point entirely clear, as we see Rey, Finn, and Poe together on an unknown mission.
The last shot of the trailer is a minor bombshell for “Star Wars” fans, as it shows the ruins of the fallen Death Star. The super-weapon seen in “A New Hope” and “Rogue One” appears to be playing some kind of role in “The Rise of the Skywalker,” which is fitting considering the film is billed as the end of the Skywalker saga.
The trailer ends with two revelations. The first is Emperor Palpatine’s laugh being heard over a black screen, indicating the powerful Sith Lord will be involved in this installment. The second is the title, “The Rise of Skywalker.” Luke Skywalker died in the previous film, so does the title mean he’s coming back to life? Has Rey been a Skywalker this whole time despite the reveal in “The Last Jedi” that her parents were nobodies? Is the rising Skywalker actually Leia’s son Kylo Ren? We’ll find out on December 20.