Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker
Rey seems to be becoming the raw " Darth Vader " figure inStar Wars , but that just makes oneRise of Skywalkermistake all the worse . Last year ’s Star Wars Celebration was an unforgettable experience , but one minute stick out in my memory ; Daisy Ridley take to the point when Lucasfilm announced her return in the " New Jedi Order . " I ’m terminally online , and I ’m used to manoeuvre in a worldly concern where the simple mention of Ridley is controversial . Celebration was a welcome reminder that social media is not real life , becausethe sheer excitement at Rey ’s return was tangible .
As exciting as Rey ’s return may be , it ’s no surprise that progress on this New Jedi Order picture has been slow ; writerSteven Knight has left the Daisy Ridley project , and its future seems to be in doubt yield the news Simon Kinberg is penning a trilogy that may well become Episodes 10 - 12 . Lucasfilm ’s repute is n’t enceinte ; there have been a astonishing phone number ofcanceledStar Warsmoviesand register over the last decade or so . This time , though , the problems are really being drive by a surprising argument : thatRidley ’s Rey is simply too of import to get faulty .
Daisy Ridley Is Darth Vader’s Replacement As The “Face” Of Star Wars
Star Wars : The Rise of Skywalkerseemed to position Rey as the new Luke Skywalker figure , beginner of the New Jedi Order . It ’s now becoming light she ’s far more , though ; Ridley ’s Rey is seen asStar Wars ' most marketable character , a proven star of the braggart screen . Rey is essentially the Darth Vader replenishment , the new " human face " ofStar Wars . There are apparently multiple film in the work that will feature her in some elbow room , not just Sharmeen Obaid - Chinoy ’s New Jedi Order movie .
Lucasfilm ’s biggest trouble when it come to Rey , though , is that the studio apartment has n’t quite fix on a direction for the persona . Several film boast Rey are in ontogeny , andany one of them could essentially set her unexampled status quo in position , affecting everything else . It ’s a far from ideal situation , and it all flows from one decisive fault inThe Rise of Skywalker .
Darth Vader Embodies The Duality Of The Force
lease ’s take a step back and ask a childlike question : What makes Darth Vader the perfect " side " ofStar Wars ? A big part of it lies in the fact the Darth Vader design is so inexpressibly iconic , commit every one of the Sith Lord ’s appearance with so much weight and power . I think back the thrill of watchingRogue One : A Star Wars Storyfor the first prison term , look on with amazement as Darth Vader rationalise through rebel force with brutal efficiency . His return inObi - Wan Kenobiwas alike unforgettable , as he exacted retaliation on the Jedi who defeated him on Mustafar .
Redemption , hope , the darkest Nox overcome by the spark of the Jedi … all these ideas are now found in Darth Vader ’s fearful visage .
But there ’s more to it than that . Darth Vader embody the dichotomy of the Force , because he is n’t just a villain ; he ’s a fallen hero who is ultimately redeemed . On a symbolic level , Vader represents the potentiality for redemption and redemption , the triumph of the light over the dark . Every atrocity simply underscores the wonder of the ending . Redemption , promise , the darkest night overcome by the light of the Jedi … all these idea are now found in Darth Vader ’s fearsome physiognomy . It ’s why he is the " face " of George Lucas’Star Wars , and it make him very unmanageable to replace .
Rise Of Skywalker Set Up A Similar Story For Rey… But Backed Away
Rey just does n’t quite strike the same promissory note . To be sure , he had her own struggle with darkness - but it feel more like a dingy lineage than her own privileged non-white side . I thinkRise of Skywalkerwas trying to confuse the air there , but the flick did n’t quite pull it off , and it really was n’t satisfying as a outcome . When Rey did see a vision of herself as a Sith ( " Dark Rey"),it was n’t clear whether this potential futurity was her own pick , or a termination of her being possessed by her gramps ’s spirit . It was something of a great deal .
Personally , I viewThe Rise of Skywalkeras something of a frustrating moving picture ; it has a lot of idea I was interested in exploring in peachy detail , but it never actually committed to them . I ’m fascinated by theForce Dyad , for lesson , which has the potential difference to redefine the Force in a enchanting way , but any real geographic expedition has been reserved for tie - ins . Dark Rey is another case , an idea so exciting it feature prominently inRise of Skywalker ’s merchandising , when it ’s really just a brief moment that ’s then bury at speed .
Star Wars Failed Rey, Making Her A More Frustrating “Face” For Star Wars Than Vader
Do n’t get me wrong here , I do n’t need to unite the legion of Rey hater ; as I mentioned in the beginning , I loved Celebration because it remind me there ’s so much love life for the graphic symbol . I ca n’t even begin to count how many cosplayers had come dressed as Rey , and the declaration of Ridley ’s paying back was a highlight of the whole upshot . But there seems to be no abnegate the truth thatStar Warsfailed Rey , her lineament arcs and motive damaged because of piteous plotting and too many course - correction .
envisage a scenario whereThe Rise of Skywalkerhad actually committed to Dark Rey , turning Rey ’s battle with the dark side into something much more compelling - something really rooted in her own inner darkness rather than some weird , ill - defined bequest that came because Palpatine insist he was her gramps . This version of Rey would be one whose story incorporated both swarthiness and igniter in a much more visceral mode , meaning she more well struck the same symbolic notes as Darth Vader .
Lucasfilm ’s sequel trilogy stumbles think Rey will never really be the " face " ofStar Wars . She ’ll certainly be Lucasfilm ’s most marketable part , their one remaining essay liberal - screen superstar now too many other character have been killed off ( Kylo Ren ) or simply underdeveloped ( Finn ) . But she could have been so much more , hadStar Warsnot failed inThe wage increase of Skywalker .
Custom image by Yeider Chacon
Upcoming Star Wars Movies
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The Mandalorian & Grogu
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, released in December 2019, follows the surviving Resistance as they confront the First Order. The film continues the journey of Rey, Finn, and Poe Dameron as they harness the power of past generations to engage in a climactic battle against the forces of tyranny.
May 22 , 2026
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Star warfare : The Rise of Skywalker , released in December 2019 , follows the last Resistance as they confront the First Order . The moving-picture show continues the journey of Rey , Finn , and Poe Dameron as they harness the king of past generations to engage in a climactic battle against the forces of Stalinism .
