It’s Star Wars Week here at For The Win as we prepare for The Rise of Skywalker, and thus far we’ve mostly looked into the past: A ranking of the movies thus far, a list of the best characters and the hope that the past doesn’t repeat itself in the new movie.
Now, it’s time to look into the future (assuming you haven’t already by finding out spoilers ahead of the premiere).
Given that this movie ties up the entire Skywalker Saga, the hope is that it gives us some answers to some important questions … and maybe some less vital ones. Here are a few on our minds (and note there will only be SPOILERS of the previous Star Wars movies):
1. What’s the connection between Rey and Kylo?
This is really at the heart of the entire third trilogy. We know they’re connected telepathically, but that the connection seems to go beyond that. Could their combined Force(s) bring balance back to the Force, as was foretold? Are they going to find an entirely new side, not dark or light, but gray?
2. What exactly is a “Skywalker”?
I put that in quotes because so many people are reading into the title as going beyond the bloodline that connects Anakin, Luke, Leia and Kylo. It could mean Luke is actually rising after his passing in The Last Jedi (that would be super religious). It could be the big reveal that Rey is related and is a Skywalker herself (doubtful, that seems too obvious). I think most fans have a theory that a “Skywalker” is an entirely new designation that goes beyond Jedi and Sith. And that’s actually pretty cool.
3. Are Rey’s parents really “nobody”?
I’m not sure if I believe Kylo, not just because he has every reason to manipulate Rey and have her join him. It’s mostly because Star Wars has a seemingly endless thing about parents and orphans and family ties. There has to be something there.
4. How will General Leia’s storyline end?
Due to the passing of Carrie Fisher, we know that J.J. Abrams used previous footage to have her appear in Episode IX. What kind of send-off will she get? I only have one guarantee: it’s going to be emotional.
5. What was the deal with Snoke?
He’s gone now, sliced in half by a floating lightsaber that Kylo used. But … what’s his story? How did he rise to power as Supreme Leader? What’s more vital is whether it’s important to know more about him or if he’s just a figurehead who moved the story along. Die-hard fans might not like it if the latter is the answer.
6. While we’re at it, what’s the deal with Emperor Palpatine!?
This is where the fanboy in me wants to find out that somehow Baby Yoda is involved (and if you haven’t watched The Mandalorian, you should). Let me explain: what if some Stormtrooper found the body of Palpatine before the second Death Star was blown up and the tatters of the fallen Empire figured out there was some clone/offspring and they used its powers/blood/etc to reanimated the Emperor’s body?
Thanks for reading that. But it’s also possible that Palpatine shows up as a Force ghost or he just used the Force to avoid completely dying — remember, Leia did the same thing in The Last Jedi when she was sucked out into space.
7. Will The Mandalorian tie in at all?
It would be perfect timing if it did. Star Wars synergy!
8. What will Finn, Poe and Rose do to save the galaxy?
I’d say that if TRoS is Return of the Jedi, then it seems like this group will be the raiders of Endor, fighting the ground battle.
9. What’s Lando been up to?
I’m sure he was just spending the last few decades enjoying life in Cloud City, beating total alien rubes in Sabacc by cheating like he did as a young man in Solo. Or it’s more likely that he’s been a part of the Resistance all along and he’s coming to their rescue to help them out in their time of need.
10. They fly now?
We actually already have the answer: they fly now.
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