“Have you felt it?” No, not an awakening in the Force. We’re talking about the final countdown to The Rise of SkywalkerOpens in a new tab. Soon, the saga of the most famous family in the galaxy far, far away will come to an end. Are we emotionally ready for it? Not even a little bit, but not for lack of trying. We’ve spent the last two years writing about all of the newsOpens in a new tab and theories we could find. We know it can be hard to keep track of everything, so to help you prepare for Star Wars: Episode IX, here’s everything you to need to read and watch ahead of the movie’s release on December 20.
And make sure to come back, because we’ll keep updating this post with new articles and videos until then.
TRAILERS AND POSTERS
There’s nothing quite like a Star Wars trailer, and the teasers and promos we’ve seen for The Rise of Skywalker have not disappointed.
The Final TrailerOpens in a new tab: The film’s last teaser was an emotional one that also seemed to include a major Rebels Easter EggOpens in a new tab, as well as a very surprising B1 Battle DroidOpens in a new tab.
How the Final Trailer Teases Palpatine’s PlanOpens in a new tab: The last look at the movie also hinted at the Emperor’s master plan.
A Shot-by-Shot Breakdown of the First TrailerOpens in a new tab: It had us putting on our detective stormtrooper helmet to look for every clue we could find, and when we were done breaking it down we went searching for the internet’s best clips from it: The Best GIFs from the TeaserOpens in a new tab
Poster Shows Palpatine in Full ForceOpens in a new tab: Is it weird to be excited to see the most evil person in the galaxy again? No… right?
NEWS AND REPORTS
Disney and Lucasfilm have done a good job keeping its biggest secrets under wraps, but there’s still plenty of info about the movie out there, both official and unofficial. Here’s everything we’ve learned so far.
J.J. Abrams Confirms Fan Theory About Kylo Ren’s HelmetOpens in a new tab: Not only do we know fans already got one theory right, it’s a really cool one.
9 Things We Learned from Vanity Fair’s Cover StoryOpens in a new tab: There were tons of goodies in Vanity Fair‘s big spread, and we found the most interesting ones.
D23 Expo Display Reveals New Jet TrooperOpens in a new tab: A new Star Wars movie means a new stormtrooper, but The Rise of Skywalker will feature at least two. Jet Troopers can fly, but their red Sith Trooper counterparts could reveal a lot more about the plot: What Sith Troopers Tell Us About the MovieOpens in a new tab
The Rise of Kylo Ren Comic Will Give the Knights of Ren a BackstoryOpens in a new tab: After teasing them in The Force Awakens, the Knights of Ren will finally get a starring role in The Rise of Skywalker. Who are they though? We have you covered: Everything to Know About the Knights of RenOpens in a new tab
Carrie Fisher’s Brother Says There Are “Many Minutes” of New Leia FootageOpens in a new tab that was available for J.J. Abrams to use. Might there be enough she could even help another young heroine. Will Leia Train Rey?Opens in a new tab
Mark Hamill Shares His Feelings on Carrie Fisher Appearing in The Rise of SkywalkerOpens in a new tab: Mark Hamill reflects on what it will mean to see his late co-star a final time. But if that wasn’t emotional enough for you, her daughter Billie Lourd sang an emotional tributeOpens in a new tab on her late mother’s birthday.
Admiral Ackbar’s Son Gets His Own ComicOpens in a new tab: The late general’s son Aftab might have been spotted in the final trailer.
Disney Tours Reveals New LocationsOpens in a new tab: That’s no forest moon of Endor. It’s a water moon.
THEORIES
For as much as we know about the movie there’s even more we don’t, but trying to figure out all those mysteries is a big part of the fun. These are the best, most enjoyable, and wildest theories we’ve either come up with or came across.
Does The Rise of Skywalker Hint That “Clone Rey” is Real?Opens in a new tab Could “Dark Rey” actually be a second Rey? :dramatic music:
7 Possible Locations for the Final SceneOpens in a new tab: Kevin Smith’s secret set visit points to a famous setting for the film’s final scene, but where could that take place?
What Unused Star Wars Art Could Tell Us About Episode IXOpens in a new tab: “No one’s ever really gone,” and neither is good concept art.
What the Color Scheme Tells Us About The FilmOpens in a new tab: What do you get when you combine blue and red? A good color theory.
A Guide to Every Theory About Rey’s ParentsOpens in a new tab: The topic of Rey’s parents won’t end until we see The Rise of Skywalker, but in fairness to those who don’t accept Kylo’s claim they were nobodies, J.J. Abrams Originally Had Different Plans for Rey’s ParentageOpens in a new tab.
Who’s Really Wearing Kylo Ren’s Mask?Opens in a new tab “Who is buried in Grant’s tomb,” but for important space wizards.
Does This Jedi Prophecy Predict the Return of Palpatine?Opens in a new tab We love lore. We love Palpatine. We love prophecies. So yeah, we love this.
Could the movie Return to Tatooine?Opens in a new tab We’d bet a lot of credits on this happening.
This Rumor Says Someone Is a TraitorOpens in a new tab: A First Order frenemy could derail Kylo Ren’s plans to rule the galaxy.
Could the Extended Universe Set Up Rey as a Palpatine?Opens in a new tab Rey as Palpatine seems pretty wild, but the wildest theories can be the most fun.
This Kylo Ren/Snoke Fan Theory Might Make Your Head ExplodeOpens in a new tab: And what’s more fun than having your head explode?
“REYLO”
Will they or won’t they? (Also what is it they will or won’t do?) The nature of Rey and Kylo’s possible relationship has been a major topic of discussion around the movie.
Rey and Kylo Will Have a “Deeper” Connection in Episode IXOpens in a new tab: The link Snoke created between the two will only grow stronger.
The Case for ReyloOpens in a new tab: Lots of fans want to see Rey and Ben end up in each other’s arms, and there’s a very good argument for it happens. Of course, there are nearly as many who hope they don’t, and they have a compelling case too: The Case Against ReyloOpens in a new tab
What the Cast Had to Say About ReyloOpens in a new tab: Fans aren’t the only ones with strong opinions about the possibility.
“BENDEMPTION”
Unless Rey turns Dark, Kylo Ren will have to remember what it means to be Ben Solo, in a possible return to the Light Side known as “Bendemption.”
Why Kylo Ren Should Be RedeemedOpens in a new tab: Not everyone is rooting for Ben Solo to find his way back to the Light Side like his grandfather Anakin did, but there are good reasons for why that’s exactly what should happen.
How the Death Star Could Be the Key To Kylo Ren’s RedemptionOpens in a new tab: Will that happen the same place Darth Vader found his?
Does Avatar: The Last Airbender Hold the Key to Kylo Ren’s Redemption?Opens in a new tab It’s even possible Kylo’s salvation might mirror another beloved story about powerful people.
Does The Rise of Skywalker Art Book Hint at Kylo’s Redemption?Opens in a new tab We might be able to find what we’re looking for in art for the galaxy far, far away.
COLUMNS
We think about Star Wars a lot, and that includes the past, present, and future of the franchise. These are some of our best ideas, histories, and reflections on what could happen in The Rise of Skywalker and what it could all mean.
How the Movie Could Tie Together All Nine Films in the SagaOpens in a new tab: The Rise of Skywalker won’t just end a trilogy.
Why Rey Should Go Dark In The Rise of SkywalkerOpens in a new tab: Will she become a Sith? Even if she doesn’t Rey should at least explore the Dark Side.
Rey’s Double-Bladed Lightsaber Has a Dark HistoryOpens in a new tab: It might be new to the big screen, but Rey’s double-bladed lightsaber isn’t new to Star Wars.
How Rey and Kylo Ren’s Fight Recalls Vader’s OriginsOpens in a new tab: That epic fight amid the waves of the broken Death Star looks a lot like Anakin and Obi-Wan’s fight on Mustafar.
How Episode IX Redefines “Skywalker”Opens in a new tab: The title of Skywalker could soon refer to someone who isn’t a relative.
Rey’s Hair Pays Tribute to LeiaOpens in a new tab: A touching tribute to our late general and her famous hairstyle.
Star Wars Could Easily Bring Back Han Solo for Episode IXOpens in a new tab: Harrison Ford finally got his wish to die in a Star Wars movie, but that doesn’t mean he can’t still return.
The Ins and Outs of Becoming a Force GhostOpens in a new tab: Obviously not just anybody can become a Force Ghost, so what does it actually take to return like Obi-Wan and Yoda?
What Does Star Wars Rebels‘ Big Reveal Mean for The Rise of Skywalker?Opens in a new tab A huge revelation from the animated series’ finale could have huge ramifications for its cinematic counterpart.
INTERNET FUN
Sure, the fate of the entire galaxy is at stake in the final showdown between good and evil, but that doesn’t mean everything has to be so serious.
The Teaser Set to Spider-Verse’s ‘What’s Up Danger’ is PerfectionOpens in a new tab: Two of our favorites get mashed up for an epic crossover.
Some Guy Predicted The Rise of Skywalker 6 Years AgoOpens in a new tab: No, it was not J.J. Abrams. That wouldn’t be a big deal.
Actor Domhnall Gleeson Sings “Happy Birthday” As General HuxOpens in a new tab: Pleasant? No. Funny? Yes.
Rey’s Flip Syncs Surprisingly Well with Every SongOpens in a new tab: An amazing flip over a speeding spaceship is like a black dress – it goes with anything.
Remember to bookmark this page so you can easily keep track of every new article we post before Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker comes to theaters this December.
Featured Image: Disney/Lucasfilm
