The firstStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalkersizzle reel featuring new footage from the film has been released to the masses. Thefootage was initially shownat Disney’s D23 Expo on Saturday, August 24. Lucasfilm PresidentKathleen Kennedy,Rise of SkywalkerdirectorJ.J. Abrams, and the cast including the Skywalker saga sequel trilogy leadsDaisy Ridley(Rey),John Boyega(Finn), andOscar Isaac(Poe Dameron) were all on hand to present the footage.
The money shot is, of course, Rey in dark robes wielding a two-sided red lightsaber, to which everyone lost their damn minds. Will Rey break bad inThe Rise of Skywalker? Maybe! If Rey turning bad was a major plot point would J.J. Abrams—Master of Secrets, Spoiler Cop McMystery box—allow that major reveal to go out in a trailer four months before the film’s release? Absolutely not. So I think we can all safely assume that the image in question is meant to tantalize and get fans intrigued by a number of possibilities, and not outright spoil a major turn for the franchise’s protagonist.
The Rise of Skywalkeris the final installment in the sequel trilogy which makes up the nine-part Skywalker saga that began in 1977 withStar Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, and that aspect ofStar Wars 9is front and center in this here trailer. Abrams has crafted a story that not only ends the arc that began in 2015’sThe Force Awakens,but the entire Skywalker saga that was initiated withA New Hopeand, chronologically at least, began withThe Phantom Menace.The late, greatCarrie Fisher, an integral figure in theStar Warscanon, will make her final appearance inThe Rise of Skywalkerthanks to previously unused footage edited into the film’s final cut.
In addition to Ridley, Boyega, and Isaac, returning sequel trilogy cast members includeAdam Driver(Kylo Ren),Domhnall Gleeson(General Hux),Kelly Marie Tran(Rose Tico),Joonas Suotamo(Chewbacca), andBillie Lourd(Lieutenant Connix). Additionally, past Skywalker saga actorsIan McDiarmid,Mark Hamill, andBilly Dee Williamswill reprise their roles as Palpatine, Luke Skywalker, and Lando Calrissian, respectively. There will be new faces, too, asNaomi Ackie(Jannah),Keri Russell(Zorri), andRichard E. Grant(Allegiant General Pryde) join in the fun.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalkerarrives in theaters on June 04, 2025. Check out the sizzle reel below:
