Annie Leibovitz stuns again with her latest and final Skywalker Saga photoshoot for Vanity Fair (print editions out June 4), while writers Lev Grossman and Joanna Robinson dig into cast and crew for more details on December’s The Rise of Skywalker. While plenty remains secret, we do learn a few new details and see some intriguing new images, from Rey and Kylo battling in the rain, the confirmed return of the Knights of Ren, to reveal of Keri Russell and Richard E. Grants’ new characters, and more! Head below for more stunning images and details!
According to Grossman’s cover story, we’ll come to find Rey and Kylo Ren’s bond from The Last Jedi will run even deeper, though Adam Driver says what their connection will be is nothing short of complicated. By the time The Rise of Skywalker begins, its time jump from TLJ still undefined, Rey will have finished the bulk of her training, though she has yet to start a new Jedi Order of any kind yet. There are some fun anecdotes from Daisy Ridley, from how she visualizes what Rey’s doing with the Force (revealing the rocks at the end of TLJ were all real effects) to her thoughts on how Rey views Kylo: “You fucking had it all.” While Ridley reveals Rey doesn’t believe Kylo can really be redeemed anymore, Kylo hasn’t given up on their connection. How or why their bond runs deeper will likely remain a mystery until the film drops, so will it be they are siblings, cousins, the light and dark sides’ picks for the ultimate battle, all the above, or something else entirely?
And by ultimate battle, I’m not kidding, as this isn’t just about the Resistance against the First Order, TROS will also see the culmination of Jedi and Sith’s conflict, which isn’t as much of a surprise after the big moment at the end of TROS’ first teaser. There isn’t a single mention of Emperor Palpatine in the article, so those hoping we’d get our first hints about his potential return will have to wait, though I imagine that’s just one of many surprises we’ll get to enjoy in theaters.
While Vanity Fair’s article doesn’t reveal anything new about Naomi Ackie’s Jannah, who we first met and had Lando Calrissian connections teased at Celebration Chicago, we do get a stunning photo of her and Finn riding obraks aka space horses, and see her brandishing a bow and arrow in an awesome display of skill; I want more details about her and pronto! The article does get to reveal two new characters: Keri Russell’s Zorri Bliss, pictured on new planet Kijimi, the same planet the shuttle in the first TROS trailer is flying towards, a shuttle which is similar to the shuttle we see a little Rey yelling up at after she’s left on Jakku in her Force vision. How and why does her roguish character play into the story? And we now know Richard E. Grant is playing Allegiant General Pryde, though what the title of Allegiant means remains a mystery. Allegiance to Hux and not Kylo Ren, or vice-a-versa and he’s there to keep Hux in check? Maybe something to do with Palpatine’s cackle and the fact we’re getting to learn more about the First Order’s origins?
Here are a few other of the photos:
Other tidbits from the articles:
- Finn belongs to Poe’s “family,” as it were. Take that how you want, as I’m sure Stormpilots will, though it’ll probably only mean found family.
- Rose Tico is briefly mentioned, but no images of her, which is a disappointment. We did see some BTS photos at Celebration last month which showed Rose and Rey talking in what looked to be a Resistance base, so maybe she’s busy there and not out on the main adventure?
- The Knights of Ren are going to be in the film, seen in photos on Pasaana, the planet we first see Rey on in the teaser,
but the article confirms something I didn’t suspect: the guy Kylo Ren slams in the teaser is a Knight of Ren. Schism with his Knights? He’s finally turning to the light? Or Rey manages to turn them against him? Or something to do with Palpatine?Supposedly, this detail was made in error and has since been corrected. It seems too specific not to have been a slip-up, as in VF was told this info and forgot it couldn’t be mentioned, but I guess time will tell. - JJ Abrams reiterates how crazy and organic Carrie Fisher’s unused footage fits into the film. Originally he wrote the scenes with Leia without Lt. Connix, played by Fisher’s daughter Billie Lourd, but she requested to be written in. Her reasons are an eye on the future, so any potential kids can see them together, and scenes will include them touching one another, like how they made the hug between Rey and Leia work in the teaser.
- Threepio will play a large and surprising roll in the film, doing things us fans won’t expect. If you saw that leaked poster from a few months ago, then you have one idea what he’ll be up to, while him being involved in the chase sequence on Pasaana is at least very clear.
- That image of Luke with Artoo is quite the sight. Is it another flashback? Force Ghost Luke before they add the familiar blue shimmer?
- Not only was Kylo Ren’s full story very clear to Driver from the beginning of being cast, Abrams reveals he, Lawrence Kasdan, George Lucas (!), and Rian Johnson sat down and worked out the general thread of the sequel trilogy and how it closed up the Skywalker Saga. There goes all those arguments Disney killed Star Wars, as Lucas was involved in the newest films, or that Rian Johnson was the final nail in the coffin.
- Not in any of the articles but it just hit me: Snow, Fire, and Rain…the three battles (I’m counting them fighting together) of Rey and Kylo.
- There was a hidden meaning behind the Kylo and Rey covers for the article and turns out it had to do with sunset and sunrise…so if Rey is the sunrise one, what does that have to do with the movie’s title, if anything?
Ah yes, the sweet pre-release trickle of new information about a film, where each new piece of information offers more questions than it does answers. Vanity Fair’s latest article peels back some intriguing new layers and offers a smorgasbord of beautiful, stunning photos from The Rise of Skywalker, making its December 20 release feel even further away.
Ryan is Mynock Manor’s Head Butler. You can follow him on Twitter @BrushYourTeeth. You can follow the website @MynockManor.
THE RISE OF SKYWALKER NEWS:
Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Unveiled on May the 4th!
Episode IX Titled The Rise of Skywalker, Teaser Trailer Revealed (SWCC 2019)
Star Wars Celebration Chicago 2019 Overload: Panel Schedules, Merchandise, Virtual Queuing, Guests, and More!
News Roundup: Star Wars Rebels Artbook Incoming, Master & Apprentice’s First Excerpt, and Triple Force Friday Arrives in October!
Episode IX Begins Filming August 2018, New Cast Announced, and Familiar Faces Return!