If you grew up with the early Star Wars films, characters like Han Solo, Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker, Chewbacca, C-3PO and R2-D2 feel like extended family. So when Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker arrived in cinemas on 20th December 2019 as the final chapter of the Skywalker saga, it was a genuinely big moment for fans of all ages — and its final trailer gave us our best look yet at how the story would end.
The middle trilogy divided opinion for a lot of long-time fans, but the newer trilogy won a lot of people back, with strong female characters at its centre. The Rise of Skywalker was the film that had to bring everything together.
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The Rise of Skywalker
The final trailer for J.J. Abrams’ closing entry in the Skywalker saga marked the end of a story that began more than 40 years earlier in Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope.
Fittingly, the trailer was released on Carrie Fisher’s birthday, and the actress appears in the film in a posthumous role using previously unseen footage.
The film’s cast included Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Richard E. Grant, Keri Russell, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Billy Dee Williams and Ian McDiarmid, alongside Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia.
The Rise of Skywalker picked up one year after the events of Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Kylo Ren and Rey were set to face off in a final battle, while the rest of the Resistance fought for the galaxy’s future.
This was the third instalment in the Star Wars sequel trilogy that began in 2015. The first film, The Force Awakens, directed by J.J. Abrams, introduced Jedi Rey and her rival Kylo Ren — and introduced the stunning Skellig Islands to audiences worldwide (a proud Irish moment for many local fans).
Rian Johnson then directed 2017’s The Last Jedi, before J.J. Abrams returned for the final instalment, as the remnants of the Resistance faced the First Order and the long conflict between the Jedi and the Sith came to a head.
For many fans, it was a bittersweet watch — the official end of the saga, even as new Star Wars stories and spin-offs have continued in the years since.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When was Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker released?
It arrived in cinemas on 20th December 2019.
Who directed The Rise of Skywalker?
J.J. Abrams directed the film, returning after directing the first movie in the sequel trilogy, The Force Awakens. Rian Johnson directed the middle film, The Last Jedi.
Is The Rise of Skywalker the last Star Wars film?
It was billed as the final chapter of the Skywalker saga, closing out the story that began with the original trilogy. Star Wars as a franchise has continued with other films and series since.
Does Carrie Fisher appear in the film?
Yes. Carrie Fisher appears as Princess Leia using previously unseen footage, and the final trailer was released on what would have been her birthday.
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