Welcome, everyone, to the final installment of Cantina Talk before Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker opens. That’s right, it’s the last one of these before the Skywalker saga ends. However, the success of The Mandalorian on Disney+—and by that, what we really mean is that everyone loves Baby Yoda—ensures that, whatever the future of the franchise looks like, there’s definitely going to be a future of the franchise once we’ve seen the last of the Skywalkers. So let’s say sayonara to them, shall we?
The Rise of Skywalker Will Show New Force Abilities
The Source: Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker writer/director J.J. Abrams
Probability of Accuracy: He made the movie. If this isn’t accurate, that’s pretty bad.
The Real Deal: While we’re waiting impatiently for the movie to be released, here’s something unexpected to think about: The Rise of Skywalker will, apparently, feature all-new ways to use the Force. “We wanted to make sure that this picture also showed aspects of the Force in ways that go beyond what you’ve seen before,” writer/director J.J. Abrams told Vanity Fair in a recent interview. “The challenge on this film, being the end of three trilogies, was to tell a story that not only feels inevitable but also feels surprising.” Abrams wasn’t saying what those abilities may be (of course), but he did add that he knew the new elements “will infuriate some people and thrill others.” Start your speculation engines, everyone—as well as the countdown to when the first person complains that the new abilities are unrealistic deus ex machina skills given to Mary Sues yada yada yada. (Unrealistic, you say? In a movie about space wizards?)
That Old Jedi You Like Is Making a Comeback
The Source: Anonymous sourcing
Probability of Accuracy: Given the outlet, I’d argue it’s more likely to be accurate than inaccurate.
The Real Deal: But don’t just expect new things in The Rise of Skywalker; there’ll be some old too, it seems, with celebrated fan site Making Star Wars claiming to have confirmed that Anakin Skywalker is in the new movie … kind of. According to the site, Anakin’s voice will be heard at the end of the movie, alongside a number of other Force users—including Yoda, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and even Ahsoka Tano—as they speak to Rey for reasons we’re certainly not going to spoil in case the details are indeed correct. (Click through and read for yourself if you’re curious.) It’s not quite the Force Ghost appearance that many were expecting, but who’s to say there’s not a further surprise to come before the movie’s release?
No, Finn and Poe Aren’t Dating, Sorry
The Source: Oscar Isaac and J.J. Abrams, to begin with …
Probability of Accuracy: Surely disappointing more than a few fans, this seems to be 100 percent accurate.
The Real Deal: Meanwhile, there’s one sad piece of news to come from the Rise promo circuit. According to folks who would know these things, Finn and Poe are not in a romantic relationship. One of those saddened by the decision? None other than Poe Dameron himself, Oscar Isaac. “Personally, I kind of hoped and wished that maybe that would’ve been taken further in the other films, but I don’t have control,” Isaac told Variety. “It seemed like a natural progression, but sadly enough it’s a time when people are too afraid, I think, of … I don’t know what. But if they would’ve been boyfriends, that would have been fun.” J.J. Abrams also talked about the subject, saying, “And in the case of the LGBTQ community, it was important to me that people who go to see this movie feel that they’re being represented in the film. I will say I’m giving away nothing about what happens in the movie. But I did just say what I just said.” Sound too cute by far? Perhaps you should read this great op-ed about teasing LGBTQ+ characters as a marketing tool and how tacky it is.
Yes, Somehow There’s a Star Wars Game Show Now
The Source: An official Disney+ announcement
Probability of Accuracy: Astonishingly accurate.
The Real Deal: Elsewhere in a galaxy far, far away, Disney+ continues to add Star Wars content with the unexpected announcement of … a Star Wars game show? Even stranger, it looks as if they’re trying to suggest that Star Wars: Jedi Temple Challenge is somehow in canon, in that host Ahmed Best (aka Jar Jar Binks) will be playing a Jedi Master, accompanied by a droid voiced by Mary Holland. It is, according to Disney+’s head of unscripted content Dan Silver, “a game show set in the Star Wars galaxy.” So that’s a thing that’s happening. It’ll debut on the streaming service at some point in 2020.
Now You Can Finally Join the Resistance
The Source: Disney Parks, and also a lucky journalist who got to do it all first
Probability of Accuracy: Sorry, can’t answer, too busy going to join the Resistance.
The Real Deal: When Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opened, it was missing its big centerpiece attraction, Rise of the Resistance. That’s no longer the case, with the ride opening in Anaheim last week and in Florida next month. Wondering what to expect? This preview piece is surprisingly robust, including a plot summary of the ride that’s almost guaranteed to get die-hards wanting to be the first in line. Who doesn’t want to get captured by the First Order, meet General Hux and Kylo Ren, and then escape with the help of the Resistance?
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