So many questions and they keep coming. Here are eight more questions we hope get answers in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
In just two months, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker will hit theaters and all our burning questions will be answered. Yet, there are still a lot we would like answered – and with every teaser and trailer that comes out, we only have more of them.
We looked nine questions we had for Episode IX earlier this year. Here are another eight we have of things we want to see addressed in The Rise of Skywalker.
Why does C-3PO have red eyes?
This was a question we didn’t even know we had until the D23 teaser came out. While C-3PO and R2-D2 haven’t done much in the sequel trilogy, it seems the golden droid may have a bigger role this time around.
There have been rumors swirling as to what those red eyes could mean – and you could read that here – but it does feel significant. In the Star Wars universe, red eyes are associated with the Sith. We haven’t seen the Sith in The Force Awakens or The Last Jedi, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t there.
At the very least, we do know the Sith history still exists and those red eyes are unmistakenly Sith.
Of course, it could just as well be a red herring to make us wonder what is going on with C-3PO. Perhaps it’s just a malfunction.
What is Luke Skywalker’s role in The Rise of Skywalker?
Luke Skywalker died in The Last Jedi., but he also will appear in The Rise of Skywalker.
As we already know, being dead in Star Wars doesn’t mean you’re gone – he even says as much in the trailer.
Given the nine movies are called the Skywalker Saga, it does make you wonder what Luke Skywalker’s role will be in the final movie. He’s the lead hero in original trilogy as we thought he brought balance to the force when he redeemed his father and seemingly killed Palpatine.
But with his death in Episode VIII, the question remains is how Luke will be used in this film. Yes, he will be a Force Ghost. We got that much out of it. Will he be Force Ghost in the way that Yoda was – blasting things along the way? Or will he be more of the Obi-Wan type, offering guidance to Rey?
Again, we could also just see him in flashbacks or both.
Luke’s role is largely unknown at this point, only that he will appear and that it will be as a Force Ghost. Perhaps even flashbacks.
Luke’s final moments were of saving the Resistance from the First Order, allowing them to live another day. His existence has been that of hope, sacrifice and determination. It would be nice to get that one last time from Luke Skywalker.
What’s up with R2-D2?
The lovable droid R2-D2 has been with Star Wars fans from the beginning. His bleeps and bloops made us laugh and we knew there was always something more going on with that astromech.
So far, in the sequel trilogy, R2-D2 hasn’t done really much. He was mostly asleep throughout The Force Awakens finally waking up to finish the map that led to Luke Skywalker.
In the previews we have seen so far for The Rise of Skywalker, R2-D2 has been barely non-existent. When it comes to our droid friends, we have gotten BB-8, D-O and C-3PO’s red eyes. He finally appeared in the final trailer when C-3PO was saying goodbye to his friends.
Maybe this is just an oversight on J.J. Abrams and those working on the teaser. Perhaps, they haven’t realized R2-D2 has been MIA up until now.
A sadder theory from me – R2-D2 meets an early demise. Perhaps with the loss of Luke Skywalker, the droid has decided to shut down for good. R2-D2 and Luke were a pair. He was Luke’s astromech, fighting with him in his Y-Wing.
While I don’t know the answer as to why R2-D2 hasn’t gotten more screentime, that’s one question that hopefully gets addressed in The Rise of Skywalker.
What’s with Dark Rey?
Dark Rey was only shown to us in the D23 teaser. She didn’t appear in the final trailer for Episode IX, but that doesn’t mean we have forgotten about her.
Seeing that moment was so jarring because it seemed Rey explicitly chose the light side when she turned away from her connection with Kylo Ren at the end of The Last Jedi. Though, it’s been said their connection remains intact for The Rise of Skywalker, the two still seem as though they’re on opposite sides of the battle.
While we suspect Dark Rey is only a vision of some sort, it was still a sight to see. Because even if it was a vision, the question still becomes why was it so important for it to be in the movie.
When it happened to Luke Skywalker, he was facing his biggest fears.
Perhaps that’s the case with Rey. Turning dark and turning her back on the galaxy might be her biggest fear. Remember, she was able to tap into the dark side so easily. It was one of the things Luke Skywalker was afraid of when he met her.
Rey didn’t quickly turn the Dark Side away as she should have – which says more about Rey than being light or dark. Perhaps she is the balance in the Force?
How much of an impact will Leia have?
Carrie Fisher was in brief moments of The Rise of Skywalker trailer, basically in scenes we have already seen before. Perhaps, Lucasfilm doesn’t want to give away how they made it work just yet – or are still working on the technical aspects of Fisher’s appearances in the film.
During Episode IX trailer, all the main characters had a voiceover part. Finn, Poe, Rey, Kylo, Luke and then, finally, Leia.
Hers might have been the most impactful as she finished Luke’s sentence, “The force is with you …”
“Always.”
It was a touching moment and certainly one that left Star Wars fans in an uncontrollable mess sobbing on the couch (maybe that was just me). But it’s Leia. She was supposed to have a larger role in the film and Episode IX was supposed to be her time to shine in the sequel trilogy.
Unfortunately, she died in 2016 before The Last Jedi released and J.J. Abrams and company did what they could with unreleased footage.
Still it makes us wonder what impact Leia will have in the final movie. She’s is as much as Star Wars as anyone else who has been a part of this franchise. One of the greatest characters to ever grace a screen.
This is a chance to say goodbye to our lovely Leia.
How does Palpatine play into the Skywalker Saga?
We’ve heard the laugh. We ever got a voice over from Palpatine in Episode IX. We still haven’t gotten a glimpse of his face.
It’s bad, isn’t it?
There’s that scene in the trailer where it looks some contraption is headed toward Rey (pictured above) and she keeps taking tiny steps back. I’m afraid to see exactly what Rey is looking at. My imagination can’t possibly create whatever is going on there.
But it’s Palpatine – the mastermind of Order 66. He figured out how to thwart the senate and take over the galaxy. He manipulated every one around him and turned a great Jedi into the galaxy’s more formidable killing machine.
He, of course, has some sharp words in the trailer for what I presume are Rey and Kylo (yes, I’m taking that leap) when he says, “Your coming together is your undoing.”
Remember, he is a manipulator. He might make you believe this was all part of his master plan. He’s the king of gaslighting. Palpatine, however, has been done in before when love outweighed hate. It can happen again.
Reylo. Will they or won’t they?
When people think of Reylo, I feel like it’s more about a coupling. There are so many different ways for a relationship to be and it will all come down to interpretation.
Will Rey and Kylo get married and live happily ever after? No.
There’s going to be a lot of therapy sessions after this is over for the survivors to move on with their lives.
Yet, if you asked me will Rey and Kylo come together and form a bond that will be impactful? Yes.
While they already have that connection, and you saw it grow in The Last Jedi, it will get deeper in The Rise of Skywalker. The only person who has a deep connection to Kylo is Rey. He’s never let anyone inside and has allowed anyone to get close since his clash with Luke.
Now, Rey has been able to connect with him. Their touch in The Last Jedi was so important because it showed Kylo dropping his walls for once. He literal and figurative mask were off and Kylo let someone connect with him on a deep level like never before.
That should grow in Episode IX based on what the actors and Abrams have said.
It doesn’t mean we are going to get any kissing or hugging. There is more to connecting that physical and that’s where Rey and Kylo will meet.
Does Ben return?
More from Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker
- How many Oscars has Star Wars won?
- Looking back at 10 years of Star Wars: The films
- Domhnall Gleeson up for returning as General Hux
- Star Wars fan’s epic poster is The Rise of Skywalker ending reimagined
- Star Wars 25 features the first post-Rise of Skywalker canon story
There were a couple of moments throughout The Rise of Skywalker trailer where it seemed we were looking at Ben Solo and not Kylo Ren.
When on top of (maybe?) the Death Star with Rey and Kylo coming toward each other, Kylo put his lightsaber behind him. It seemed like an interesting move, unless that’s just the way he goes into battle.
But the act seemed so blatantly like someone putting their sward in a scabbard.
Although if the trailer ran chronologically, it was later scenes with Kylo that seemed different. First there is the moment where Kylo and Rey are looking at each other inside of the Death Star. Rey has her lightsaber ignited at her side. Kylo’s is off.
Then Rey and Kylo knock down the pedestal with Vader’s mask together. Then we see Kylo looking toward something and his face doesn’t seem quite as hard, quite as painful as it does when he is Kylo Ren.
Perhaps it’s wishful thinking on my part, but it seems as though Ben Solo returns.
Does it redeem for all the atrocities he has done? No. But it makes for a good movie.
What are your biggest questions heading into Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker?