The wait is partially over; today’s the day we’re getting our first official look at Star Wars Episode IX (soon to be known by its own name) at Star Wars Celebration. If other Celebrations have been any indication, we’re getting a trailer, a title, and maybe even a poster. It’s a lot of information considering that they’ve been radio silent on this project for a while, save for a couple of set photos.
Episode IX is the conclusion of the Skywalker Saga, or at least that’s the party line being voiced by everyone involved. This might be the second-most anticipated movie of the year, or most anticipated depending on your feelings towards Avengers: Endgame. Today will be the first look at the finale of the franchise, with special guests, some teases, and probably more than a few tears when talking about the late Carrie Fisher and the conclusion of the series.
The stream, which starts at 11AM CDT (12AM EDT/9AM PDT), will run for an hour, and you can check it out on the Star Wars YouTube channel (we’ve also embedded the stream above). We’ve got some time to kill before it starts, so let’s run down what we think will happen at the event.
- A title
That almost goes without saying. The film is about to enter its official marketing period, and without a title, things would get a little weird. While previous titles for both sequel trilogy films and spinoffs were announced prior to the first trailers being dropped, this might be the first time that we get a Star Wars title revealed via trailer since the excellent reveal of Revenge of the Sith in 2005.
There have been plenty of leaks theorizing what the title will be. I have no idea what it could be myself, but I’m partial to the ending having the word “hope” in there somewhere. The saga began in 1977 with A New Hope. Let’s end it with something equally hopeful to tease whatever triumphant ending awaits our heroes.
- Special guests
Who’s sure to attend? J.J. Abrams. Who has attended in the past? Daisy Ridley and John Boyega have been at both Celebrations to hype up their films. Mark Hamill came in 2017, along with Kelly Marie Tran. Oscar Isaac was there in 2015. Kathleen Kennedy tends to appear on the saga film panels.
If I had to wager a guess, I’d say Ridley, Boyega, and Isaac were guarantees. I hope Tran is there, and I’d love to see some of the new cast members like Naomi Ackie show up. Hamill has confirmed that he won’t be in attendance, so maybe Billy Dee Williams can make an appearance to tease Lando’s return. Abrams and Kennedy are the safest of bets. We could get a surprise appearance from Adam Driver at this final Skywalker Saga panel, but he’s busy in New York, so that might not be possible.
It’ll be star-studded, that’s for sure.
- A jaw-dropping trailer
The Celebration trailers have tended to shock and awe audiences. It was the Celebration-released trailer for The Force Awakens that revealed Han Solo saying, “Chewie, we’re home,” and the first trailer for The Last Jedi promised that it was time for the Jedi to end. What could possibly be in the Episode IX trailer to make us all gasp and run to Twitter?
I’m guessing this trailer will be on the more emotional side, with a lot of emphasis on this forty-odd-year franchise coming to an end. There will probably be a great shot to end the trailer, though, hopefully involving Rey and her lightsaber. I just want a good look at her new costume. Is that too much to ask?
Get ready, readers; this trailer is going to break the internet for a while.
- John Boyega being amazing
He’s John Freaking Boyega. He’s always the best part of everything. I can’t wait to see him, and hopefully Ridley and Isaac, giving us the Resistance trio cuteness we deserve!
What do you hope we see at the panel? Are you emotionally ready for the trailer? I know I’m not. We’ll update this post with the stream once it goes up, and may the Force be with us all.
(image: Lucasfilm)
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