Everyone’s talking aboutThe Mandalorianthese days, so it’s easy to forget that a new Star Wars movie will be in theaters in just under a month. Disney has provided a nice reminder of that fact, though, in the form of a new clip fromStar Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker.
The30-second clipfeatures a combination of new Star Wars stars and veteran characters, with Rey (Daisy Ridley), Finn (John Boyega), Poe (Oscar Isaac), and BB-8 fleeing across the desert with Chewbacca (Joonas Suotamo) and C-3PO (Anthony Daniels). They soon find themselves pursued by First Order stormtroopers, and make a startling discovery: These stormtroopers have incorporated jetpacks into their armor and can take the chase to the air.
Directed byStar Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakensfilmmaker J.J. Abrams,The Rise of Skywalkerpromises to bring the modern sequel trilogy to a close and conclude the chapter of the sci-fi saga that began withThe Force Awakensin 2015. Abrams co-wrote the script for the film with Academy Award winner Chris Terrio (Argo,Justice League).
As with past installments of the Star Wars franchise, little is known about the plot ofThe Rise of Skywalkerat this point, but there are plenty of rumors about what the ninth episodic chapter of the series could have in store for key characters — including a potentialrevelation about Rey’s bloodlinein the film. Disney has made it clear that the studio intends to take a hiatus from releasing new Star Wars films for several years following the release ofThe Rise of Skywalker, with the company pivoting to television and itsDisney+ streaming servicewithThe Mandalorianand an upcoming series focusing on iconic Jedi master Obi-Wan Kenobi, with Ewan McGregor reprising his role from the Star Wars prequel trilogy and spinoff projects.
The final, full-lengthtrailer forStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalkerpremiered October 21 during a broadcast of the NFL’s Monday Night Football. Tickets for the film went on sale just before the trailer’s debut.
Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalkeris scheduled to hit theaters December 20.
