Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’s second teaser just dropped, sending fans into meltdown as to what awaits our heroes when the blockbuster releases in December. The footage showed older Star Wars stuff but also displayed snippets of new clips that hadn’t previously been seen by anybody else - except those fortunate enough to be at D23.
Inevitably, much footage has got fans theorizing now more than ever. So we now take a look at 10 theories that have emerged in the wake of Disney’s decision to show off its latest movie.
The Gang Will Be Searching For Something
When we last saw the Resistance at the end of 2017’s The Last Jedi, things weren’t looking great. They had lost the majority of their troops thanks to the First Order, who spent the entirety of the film chasing them. Even on Crait they sustained heavy losses and many were wondering how they were going to recover when they had already lost so much.
But it appears they might be looking for something to help them achieve their mission. One of the first scenes of the D23 footage shows Rey, Finn, Chewbacca, C3PO, and Poe Dameron on a desert planet which may or may not be Pasaana. They look as if they’re there for a key reason, particularly with all of them looking so serious.
The Resistance Will Rebuild
Well, it looks like they just might. As mentioned above, the Resistance were down to their last few fighters at the end of The Last Jedi, with what seemed to be the entirety of the group cooped up in the Millennium Falcon at the blockbuster’s conclusion.
But there’s a clip in the D23 trailer that shows the Resistance have the resources to at least worry the enemy, if not enough to beat them. They have X-wings aplenty, while A New Hope and Rogue One’s Tantive IV can also be spotted in the sky. With the Falcon at the forefront of the action, seemingly about to lead them into battle, it looks like the Resistance will indeed rebuild.
Leia Will Take A Back Seat In The Fight
During the original trilogy, Leia Organa was always in the thick of the action. She had no issue slaying stormtroopers on the Death Star during A New Hope, welcomed a fight against the Empire in The Empire Strikes Back and murdered both Jabba the Hutt and soldiers aplenty during Return of the Jedi.
So far, when it comes to the sequels, Leia has been away from the action. And it seems like this may remain the case. The D23 footage shows her on the same jungle planet where Rey is training, suggesting the Resistance are hiding safely while their best players carry on the fight against the First Order in secret. Due to Carrie Fisher’s tragic passing, Disney have just a small amount of footage they can use.
The Sith Will Take Over The First Order
We know Palpatine is back for The Rise of Skywalker, despite seemingly plummeting to his death during 1983’s Return of the Jedi. And the Sith are primed to return, too, with Sith Troopers and Imperial Star Destroyers primed to play a key role in the movie. Given that’s the case, it’s been suggested that Palpatine and his forces may even end up taking over the First Order.
Even if the Sith Lord played a key role in their creation (the First Order was born out of the ashes of the old Empire) we can’t see him wanting to hog authority with Kylo Ren. Therefore, it’s perfectly feasible that the two evil organizations may become one - which may even prompt Ben Solo into switching allegiances.
Kylo Ren May Turn
It would be wrong to outright predict Kylo Ren switching allegiances based on the fact he’s barely in the D23 footage for the movie. However, with the Sith returning and appearing to take center stage, that certainly supports the theory. As does his behavior during the one scene of the teaser that he features in.
Kylo Ren ignites his lightsaber and walks towards what many assume to be Rey - but the setting doesn’t back that up. Sure, he engages the hero of the franchise in battle, but that’s not to say he’ll stay dark. He’s lost once to Rey before and, even then, appeared ready to say something before the land of Starkiller Base split in two. Kylo’s aura suggests his path is finally clear, that he’s a man comfortable in his own skin, which may pave the way for a change of sides.
C3PO’s Memory Will Play A Role
There have been plenty of rumors that C3PO’s memory will play a key role. Fans of the saga will remember that the protocol droid had his mind wiped after Revenge of the Sith in order to stop him blabbing about what he knows.
But there’s chatter on the internet that C3PO’s memory will play a key role and the sight of him with bright red eyes in the D23 footage certainly backs that up. What role will it play? We don’t have a clue. It’s definitely random. But it’s definitely something we can’t wait to find out about.
The Resistance Will Experience Heavy Losses
So far, the Resistance has had it tough. They did well to blow up Starkiller Base but, even so, they experienced heavy losses. It was a similar story in The Last Jedi with the base planet of D’Qar destroyed, fighters dropping like flies during the opening sequence of the movie and more soldiers losing their lives during the confrontation on Crait.
And it looks as if they’re in for a similarly tough time later this year. The sight of hundreds of Imperial Star Destroyers is a formidable one and makes you wonder how the good guys will respond. There’s also a brief glimpse of what seems to be Starkiller Base technology destroying the surface of a planet. The heroes don’t have that sort of power - meaning it’s likely the bad guys do instead.
Rey’s Power Will Reach New Heights
Rey has been extremely powerful up to this point - so much so that a section of the fan base have expressed their anger at Daisy Ridley’s character seemingly possessing more ability than previous protagonists Anakin and Luke Skywalker. And it looks as if she’s going to be even stronger in the next movie.
In the D23 footage we see her throwing her lightsaber before it returns to her - not too dissimilar to Thor in the MCU. These new powers could even help her and the Resistance reign supreme and finally restore peace to the galaxy.
Rey May Fight A Clone
Obviously, the money shot of the D23 footage is Rey, in dark side attire, wielding a double-bladed lightsaber. Like, wow. Who saw that coming? She’s a Disney Princess in all but name and many are now predicting a dramatic transformation. Other, more skeptical, fans believe it could merely be a vision.
But there’s another theory out there: what if it’s a clone of Rey? One of the many theories relating to her origins is that she was created using Luke Skywalker’s severed hand from The Empire Strikes Back. It could be that there’s more than one version of Daisy Ridley’s character out there - even an evil version. Will Rey have to fight herself? It can’t be ruled out at this moment.
It’s Going To Be The Biggest Sequel Movie Yet
If you look at the teaser trailer, then take a glance at the D23 footage, what’s startling is that this looks set to be the biggest Star Wars sequel trilogy movie yet.
There seems to be major action sequences, a welcome variation of interesting planets and characters more developed than ever before. There was nothing wrong with either The Force Awakens or The Last Jedi but Star Wars looks to be upping the stakes for the final movie of the Skywalker saga. This could lead to it being one of the biggest box office releases of the entire year and we can’t wait to see it.