The trailer that we have all been waiting for was released last week and has racked up 26 million views and counting. After 42 years, our journey with the Skywalkers is sadly coming to an end. The adventure has had its ups and downs but has left fans in awe throughout. “Every journey has an end” … and it looks like we are in the Endgame for Star Wars as well.

Rise Of Skywalker is set to release December 20th, 2019 and will be looking to challenge Avengers: Endgame for the box office crown. While some of you may have lost hope in Star Wars, due largely in part to the divisiveness of The Last Jedi, I’m sorry to say but…“I Find Your Lack Of Faith Disturbing”. 

Force Awakens Director J.J Abrams is back on board and is set to carry out the Skywalker saga alongside the most forceful cast including, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, legendary Mark Hamill, and of course the very special Carrie Fisher (who filmed her scenes before her passing).

What To Expect?

Emperor Palpatine

The laugh at the end of the trailer was all the buzz after its release and had fans speculating. The Original and Prequel trilogy’s gave us one of the greatest villains ever in Emperor Palpatine. Even though we ultimately see Darth Vader make the biggest sacrifice in killing his own in Return Of The Jedi, it is now confirmed that Palpatine will be a factor in Episode IX. Will he be a force ghost? Is he actually back? Can others still be alive?

We have no definite answer for this, only theories, but hearing that laugh at the end of the trailer made people faint all around the globe. We finally get to see if Palpatine can finish off his ultimate plan.

Leia Organa

It’s sad that the one and only Carrie Fisher, who portrays the iconic princess, sadly passed away in 2016. However, she didnt leave her job un-finished as Episode IX will be focused around Leia somewhat, and feature the her heavily. We dont know what role she will play, or how her arc will end but there is a lot to dive into.

We recently discovered in The Last Jedi that Leia does in fact posses the force like her Jedi brother Luke. So we can expect Episode IX to dive into new ways the force works, and what Leia can do with it. However, we can more than likely expect Leila’s character to be written off in some way or form, but I dont think I can take seeing Kylo kill another one of his parents. Yes, unfortunately, it’s very possible that her character will be killed off in this episode.

The End Of The Skywalker Saga

This is the most definitive fact that we know so far. It has been advertised and reported that this this will be the last Star Wars film in the SkyWalker saga. We saw the prequels focus on Anakin Skywalker, the original trilogy with Luke Skywalker,  and now we focus on Luke, Leia, and Kylo in the new trilogy.

With all this there is speculation that Rey has been a Skywalker the whole time. Nothing has been confirmed, but that title is awfully suspicious. The trailer left behind rampant speculation that Rey is Luke’s daughter and with the title, Rise Of Skywalker, it is become more and more likely that we will be saying Rey Skywalker from now on.

So when those end credits hit and we hear the legendary John Williams score it will probably be the last time we ever see Luke, Leia, Han (maybe even Chewie, C3PO and R2) on the big screen ever again. Whether we get prequel or spin off films to these characters, like Solo (or the speculated Obi Wan spinoff we all want), the likelihood that we won’t see these characters in any future Star Wars film has me all teary-eyed.

What We Want To See

Star Wars is, obviously, one of the most iconic, if not the most iconic, franchises in cinematic history. Each movie holding a special place in Star Wars fans hearts, whether it be the prequels, the original trilogy, of the new trilogy (and its prequels/spin-offs) reaching younger generations. We all have a Star Wars memory. There is something different each fan wants to see in this film, and there is a different way we all want to see the Skywalker saga wrap up.

Who Is Rey?

This is the most pressing question that we have all been asking ourselves ever since we saw that scavenger come out of the remains of the old death star … Who Is she?! Just when we think we have solid idea or answer, we get thrown another curveball. The answer in The Last Jedi is that she is a nobody , but we are being given more and more that are indicating that not being true.

The title, Rise Of Skywalker, indicates that a new Skywalker will emerge. Rey has also shown to be very powerful, despite limited training. Does she have the blood line of the Jedi’s like the Skywalkers in her, or is she a Kenobi? Discovering who she actually is will answer so many questions, and could wrap a nice little bow on the whole saga.

Who Was Snoke & Why Was He There?

Besides Rey’s origin, Supreme Leader Snoke’s origin had a lot of buzz as well. Theories were flying everywhere that he was Palpatine reincarnated, which now this theory could come true. However, with the recent death of Snoke coming in The Last Jedi, we were still never given the true identity of who the all mighty Snoke is (or was?).

Discovering Snoke’s real identity would provide a lot of closure to fans. He could be Palpatine, which would be a nice callback to the originals and prequels, but if he’s from say, a different galaxy, then that opens all kinds of new doors. The introduction of new galaxies would provide endless possibilities for future films.

If that ends up being the case, then we can expect it to be explored in Rian Johnson’s new trilogy that is in the works.

One Final Battle Between Rey & Kylo

This is a big one, as we have seen Kylo and Rey go toe to toe before, but this is when Rey had no experience and had only just found her light saber. We have also seen them go back to back working together, which was one of the most bad-ass moments in Star Wars history, but we know there is some bad blood between the two of them.

Kylo representing the dying Sith and Rey trying to hold onto what is left of the Jedi. To see the two of them go at it in one Game of Thrones like battle would be out of this world. I may just have a heart attack right there in my seat. While I would love the ending to be Rey coming out on top, I want to see a satisfying ending. Whatever it is, I need to see Kylo vs Rey both at their maximum capability.

More Jedi

We know that this Skywalker saga will come to an end, but we also know that there are going to be more films and new franchises in the Star Wars universe. So for us to see that there are still Jedi left in the galaxy, like the kids at the end of The Last Jedi, is very reassuring.

We need to have some type of closure, and need to know that somewhere out in the galaxy, there are Jedi ready to save the day. It would be amazing to see Rey start off her new group of young Padawans, that are not Jedi, not Sith, but a new order that is balanced with the force. Something that can bring balance to the galaxy once again.

Coruscant

This was one of the bests parts of the prequels and one of the coolest planets that we have ever seen in the Star Wars universe. With so much going on there from the Jedi Temple, to the Senate Building, to see this planet make a comeback would be incredible and would be a great callback to the prequels.

Whether it be Rey making her first trip there to possibly restore and train at the Jedi Temple, or Leia and The Resistance storming whats left of the Senate Building and freeing the galaxy from the clutches of The First Order, any appearance on this planet would be more than welcome.

Coruscant would be the planet to wrap everything up on as it is one of the most visually appealing planets we have seen and holds so much lore that they’ve never dove into in a movie. Also with the resurrection of Palpatine in some shape or form, what better place to bring him back than the Galactic Senate and see him back where it all started.

Star Wars: Rise Of Skywalker will be the conclusion of the epic 40-plus year l, 9 movie romp that Star Wars fans have been waiting for. We have seen these characters at the forefront for so many years, now once December rolls around they will no longer be there for us. This will be an emotional year for Star Wars fans seeing the Skywalker family and friends leave the big screen, but also a monumental achievement, that these characters have been there since the 1970’s.

So when we hit December 20th, and the iconic opening scroll, complete with the classic John Williams score, starts playing be prepared for an emotional rollercoaster. Smiles, tears, laughter, joy, sadness..this film is going to make us feel it all. We knew this moment would come, but truly we were never going to be prepared for it.