The Battle Lines Are Drawn In The D23 Special Look At Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker
by Erik Amaya
While the first image of “Dark Rey” (Daisy Ridley) wowed fans who attended the Walt Disney Studios presentation at D23 Expo on Saturday, there is definitely more to uncover in the “Special Look” video. Thankfully, Lucasfilm and Disney has made the sizzle reel available to anyone who wants to pour over it and make up their own theories about a Sith-influenced Rey with a double-sided, switchblade lightsaber in Bogan Red. But note the way the Resistance is refreshed early in the new material, the red eyes on C-3PO, and the fleet of pristine Imperial Star Destroyers. If the Skywalker Saga is coming to an end, it is doing it with all the toys on display.
Also, the shots in the new material just look amazing. Beautiful photography showcasing the brand’s ability to make real locations and complete GCI fantasies look their very best.
Meanwhile, the inclusion of Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) — a controversial return first announced back at Star Wars Celebration — makes perfect sense to us. Much as the First Order is comprised of Imperial cosplayers, it make sense the malignant message of the Sith (or the Bogan if you want to go with more ancient terms) would be represented by one of its most successful adherents even after death. Sure, you could get Darth Revan to cameo in this slot, but Palapatine works better as a higher percentage of Star Wars fans knows who he is. He also has a personal connection to the Skywalker saga. And, we’ll be honest, his role in the creation of Anakin Skywalker was never clearly defined — something this age of Star Wars fan fic will not leave unanswered. Also, as anyone who read the Thrawn Trilogy or Star Wars: Dark Empire will tell you, Palpatine can cheat death with shocking ease.
What this means for Rey is anyone’s guess. In fact, the internet is already guessing she’s a clone of Sheev Palpatine. It is a much better answer than her parents being Skywalkers, but we still like her coming from nowhere to solve this long-running Star Wars conflict.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker opens on December 20th