Star Wars Episode IX: What does Rise of Skywalker mean?

The trailer and title for Star Wars: Episode IX dropped at Star Wars Celebration Chicago. But, what exactly does the title mean?

For weeks it’s been speculated what the final installment of the Skywalker Saga would be called. Now, we have a title for Star Wars: Episode IX. Rise of Skywalker is the most fitting title for the film as it ties the entire saga together into one large arc. The previous two films, The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi meant Rey was the awakening of the Force and Luke being the final Jedi Knight in existence.

JJ Abrams has said the final Skywalker film would include remnants of all three trilogies. While this makes this massive Star Wars nerd happy, what does the title Rise of Skywalker mean? Does it mean that the Jedi are gone for good because of the Skywalker family? Does Rey take the name Skywalker as her own?

No More Skywalkers

Every legacy has to end sometime and in the Star Wars, the Skywalker legacy ended with Anakin. Yes, Luke’s a Skywalker too. Just hear me out.

After the events of Revenge of the Sith, the galaxy believed Anakin died during Order 66. Few people knew who Darth Vader was. Tarkin, Obi-Wan, Yoda, Thrawn, and Bail Organa all knew who the Sith Lord had been. It wasn’t until 19 years later that Luke emerged and learned the true identity of his father.

After Return of the Jedi, Luke’s legacy faded, and he was thought to be a myth. The name Skywalker became a living legend through both Anakin and Luke because of the good they did. After Luke disappeared, people wondered otherwise. Leia isn’t classified as a Skywalker because of her surname.

In the sequel trilogy, the only person to carry the name is Luke who ends up dying in The Last Jedi, leaving Leia as the sole surviving Skywalker. Her son, Ben might be a Solo by name, but he still carries Skywalker blood because of his mother.

Jedi Order Gets Reinvented

Alex and Mollie from Star Wars Explained came up with an excellent theory. What if Rey trained with the Force Ghosts of Anakin, Luke, Obi-Wan, Yoda, and Qui-Gon and decided to re-brand the Jedi Order? Instead of attempting the create the Jedi Order a third time, she called her new Jedi, Order of the Skywalker, or something similar.

The Lightsaber

One of the first things fan noticed in the trailer was Rey handled the Skywalker Lightsaber, despite it being destroyed in the previous film. What if the title didn’t refer to the Skywalker clan, but the lightsaber?

The “rise” part of the title could refer to how the weapon somehow came to be whole once more. If the title doesn’t refer to the Skywalker weapon or the weapon’s reconstruction then it may be a retcon.

Kylo Ren Becomes Unstoppable

Despite his “former” last name, Kylo Ren – Ben Solo – has Skywalker blood. His mother is the daughter of Darth Vader, Anakin Skywalker, and granddaughter of Shim Skywalker Lars. Perhaps the title isn’t a reference to any blood member of the Skywalker family like Leia and Luke, but about Kylo Ren.

Let’s consider it for a second. As a descendant of Darth Vader, Kylo shares his DNA. What if the film is about the young Solo’s journey from disciple of Snoke to a pioneer of the dark side? It would make perfect sense given the lineage he comes from.

Conclusion

With the release of a new film, there’s always speculation. There’s probably a whole different reason to what Rise of Skywalker means. Whatever the reason is for the title, we won’t know for sure until the film drops in December this year.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker premieres on December 19, 2019.

What are your theories what Rise of Skywalker means? Be sure to comment below.