The Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker special look revealed at D23 over the weekend has now been officially released online, with fans losing it over the climactic shot that appears to show Rey turning to the Dark Side. Let’s not overlook the potential importance of the rest of the footage, however, as it may give us further evidence of a key returning location.
One clip sees Rey and Kylo Ren locked in another one of their fierce battles between mortal enemies, this time on top of some sort of wreckage with a swirling sea whipping up around them. Once put together with the first trailer for Episode IX from back in April, it looks like they could be fighting atop the remains of the Death Star.
The original trailer saw Rey and friends approach the destroyed super-weapon, likely the second edition, which would make this Endor – last seen in Return of the Jedi. The wreckage was located off the shore in that shot, so this gels with the ocean-set fight in the new footage. It appears that both the Resistance and the First Order make their way to the old Death Star, which is where the two sides come to blows once again.
The question is, then, why are both sides interested in the Death Star? It can’t be a coincidence that this is the supposed resting site of the Emperor, and he’s known to be returning in the movie. There must be something of value in the wreckage that both sides want. So, do they encounter Palpatine on board the remains of the spacestation? And has he been manipulating them to come to him?
Either way, it looks like the story of the Sequel Trilogy will end in the same location as the final installment of the Original Trilogy. A fitting way to wrap up the Skywalker saga as a whole.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker hits theaters on December 20th.
