The long wait is over. Fans were treated to a two-minute teaser trailer for Star Wars: Rise of the Skywalker at Star Wars Celebration in Chicago. Although most of the main cast were in attendance, there were two major stars missing – Mark Hamill and Adam Driver. But the biggest shock was the huge Emperor Palpatine moment at the end of the trailer. Will the Sith legend actually appear in the movie? One of the stars made it very clear who will not be returning.
The trailer was immediately followed by another huge gasp in the hall when Ian McDiarmid walked onto stage.
He let the moment build before declaring in THAT voice: “Roll it again,” as the trailer started to play a second time.
It seems increasingly clear that Sheev Palpatine will appear in some form and we have listed the six ways Palpatine can appear in Star Wars 9, including one shown in an EA game last year.
Another beloved villain, however, will definitely NOT be coming back.
The Star Wars panel was hosted by Stephen Colbert, and he put some tricky questions to the cast members.
He reminded John Boyega of the classic scenes between Finn and Phasma and asked if she could have survived her fiery fall as Snoke’s ship was destroyed around them.
Boyega said: “Old news, she’s gone, got rid of her… Phasma, she dead.”
Finn, meanwhile will be heading off on a huge new adventure at the start of the movie, with some familiar faces, according to Abrams. A new image appeared on the screen showing them all about to set off (see below).
Abrams said: “The movie doesn’t pick up immediately after the last film. Some time has gone by. What you can tell from that picture this is at the beginning of it (the film) and this is an adventure the group goes off on together. One of the great things about working on it was the dynamic between the characters. They are just the most wonderful together and that is the thing I’m most excited for you to see.”
Naomi Ackie, who plays new character ‘Janna’, added: “The original group is going on this epic, epic adventure together and I am so excited about where my character crosses paths with them. It’s wicked.”