Star Wars: 5 things we learned from EW’s The Rise of Skywalker article

EW’s traditional cover story on the new Star Wars movie is here. Here are five things we learned about The Rise of Skywalker from it.

Entertainment Weekly’s Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker preview came out this week. It featured interviews with many of the cast members and eight new images from the movie.

While the interviews and images told us a little more about Episode IX, we still don’t actually know anything. But here are five things we did learn from EW’s new piece.

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

J.J. Abrams’ approach

Abrams approach to this film was different than it was for The Force Awakens. Early during film shooting we heard the set was a lot looser and characters were able to adlib more. This article confirmed that as it spoke about longer shooting scenes and giving the characters (who are now back for a third movie) having more natural conversations.

That approach works better now than it would have in The Force Awakens because they have been with these characters for five years.

Like the characters, they have grown up a bit, they have experienced more and are more comfortable in their own skin.

Our three heroes get to hang out

Throughout the first two movies of the sequel trilogy Finn, Rey and Poe barely know each other. Poe and Rey don’t even meet until the end of The Last Jedi. Finn was the connecting character to them both.

In The Rise of Skywalker, the three of them go on adventures together. I’m excited to see what they will bring to the movie and how the three of them bounce off each other. John Boyega had great chemistry with Oscar Isaac and Daisy Ridley. But what happens when the duo becomes a trio?

Carrie Fisher’s role

There isn’t much new about Carrie Fisher’s role as Leia in the final movie of the Skywalker Saga. There is unused footage from TFA that Abrams used and he assures fans it will be great.

One thing to note is that he thought it was important to not have Leia die off screen or have off on some mission where we don’t see her. I agree.

Like Finn, Leia was the connecting character in the original trilogy. She brought everyone together with her spirit and attitude. She didn’t just believe in the cause; she was the face of it.

Abrams understands that and will give us the send off for our Princess and General that she deserves.

Rey’s journey

While The Rise of Skywalker will feature our trio, it is also so much about Rey’s journey. Her early days as a scavenger on Jakku will be important to how she will come out in the end.

Abrams told EW:

"“The scavenger who is desperate and haggling for portions and trying to survive [in Force Awakens] — those special skills and that special experience ends up being something that is essential to saving the galaxy.”"

Kylo Ren’s growth

I’m having a hard time believing Kylo Ren has grown since The Last Jedi, but I get where Adam Driver is coming from.

He told EW:

"“He had all of these pseudo father figures that he had to either live up to or literally kill to become his own person for the first time.”"

Kylo Ren (nee Ben Solo) had these amazingly famous figures in his life. He had to live in the shadows of the rogue-pilot-turned-war-hero Han Solo, Master Jedi Luke Skywalker and First Order Supreme Leader Snoke. (Though he has a soft spot for mother. Who doesn’t?)

For the first time in Ben/Kylo’s life, there isn’t someone telling him what to do, how to feel or what he should be thinking about. He’s free from the actual and perceived bondages that held him back.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker premieres December 20.