Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker#Box office

One year after the Battle of Crait,{{efn|As depicted in Star Wars: The Last Jedi}} the resurrected Emperor Palpatine sends a message of revenge to the galaxy. Hunting him down, Kylo Ren obtains a Sith wayfinder that leads him to the hidden planet Exegol, in the unknown regions of the galaxy. There, he finds Palpatine, who reveals himself as the power behind Snoke and the First Order. Palpatine unveils a Sith armada of Star Destroyers and offers it to Kylo if he finds and kills Rey, who is continuing her Jedi training under Resistance leader Leia Organa. Poe Dameron and Finn deliver intelligence from a spy in the First Order that Palpatine is on Exegol; Rey reads in Luke Skywalker's notes that a Sith wayfinder can lead them there. Rey, Finn, Poe, Chewbacca, {{nowrap|BB-8}}, and {{nowrap|C-3PO}} depart in the Millennium Falcon to the desert planet Pasaana, where a clue to a wayfinder is hidden.

Kylo initiates a Force bond with Rey to discover her location. He travels to Pasaana with his warrior subordinates, the Knights of Ren. With Lando Calrissian's help, Rey and her friends find the clue—a dagger inscribed with Sith text, which {{nowrap|C-3PO's}} programming forbids him from interpreting—and the remains of a Sith assassin named Ochi and his ship, which Rey recognizes. Rey senses Kylo nearby and faces him while the First Order captures the Falcon, Chewbacca, and the dagger. Attempting to save Chewbacca, Rey accidentally destroys a First Order transport with Force lightning. Believing Chewbacca is dead, the group escapes on Ochi's ship.

They travel to Kijimi, where the droidsmith Babu Frik extracts the Sith text from {{nowrap|C-3PO's}} memory, revealing the wayfinder's coordinates. Rey senses Chewbacca is alive aboard a First Order Star Destroyer, so the group stages a rescue with the smuggler Zorii's help. Rey recovers the dagger and experiences repressed memories of her parents. She duels Kylo, who reveals that Palpatine is her paternal grandfather. Foreseeing her power, Palpatine had ordered Ochi to find the young Rey, but her parents hid her on Jakku, prompting Ochi to kill them with the dagger. To spite Kylo, General Hux saves Poe, Finn, and Chewbacca from execution, revealing himself as the spy. Rey and her friends escape, while Hux is executed by Allegiant General Pryde. The group flies the Falcon to the wayfinder's coordinates on a moon in the Endor system.

There, they find renegade stormtroopers led by Jannah, whom they recruit to the Resistance. Rey retrieves the wayfinder from the wreckage of the second Death Star, but she is met by Kylo, who destroys the wayfinder and duels her. In a dying act, Leia distracts Kylo through the Force, and Rey impales him. Sensing Leia's death and overcome by guilt, Rey heals Kylo and takes his TIE fighter to exile herself on Ahch-To. Meanwhile, Kylo converses with a memory of his father, Han Solo. He discards his lightsaber and reclaims his identity as Ben Solo. Palpatine deploys the Sith fleet to draw Rey out and sends a Sith Star Destroyer to destroy Kijimi. On Ahch-To, Luke's Force spirit encourages Rey to face Palpatine and gives her Leia's lightsaber. Rey leaves for Exegol in Luke's X-wing fighter, using the wayfinder from Ben's ship.

Rey transmits her coordinates to R2-D2, allowing the Resistance, now led by Poe and Finn, to follow her to Exegol. There, she confronts Palpatine. Debilitated, he demands that she kill him in anger so his spirit can possess her body. The Resistance attacks the Sith fleet, while Ben overpowers the Knights of Ren and joins Rey. Palpatine senses their power as "a dyad in the Force" and drains it to rejuvenate his body. Lando arrives with reinforcements from across the galaxy, including Babu and Zorii. Palpatine incapacitates Ben and attacks the Resistance fleet with Force lightning. Weakened, Rey hears the voices of past Jedi, who give her strength. Palpatine attacks her with lightning, but Rey deflects it using Luke and Leia's lightsabers, destroying him before dying herself. Ben uses the Force to revive Rey, sacrificing himself, and they kiss before he dies. The Resistance destroys the remaining Sith forces, while people across the galaxy rise up against the First Order.

The Resistance celebrates their victory. Rey visits Luke's abandoned homestead on Tatooine and buries Luke and Leia's lightsabers. A passerby asks her name; seeing Luke and Leia's Force spirits nearby, she responds, "Rey Skywalker".

{{See also|List of Star Wars characters|List of Star Wars cast members}}

• Carrie Fisher as Leia Organa, the Force-sensitive leading general of the Resistance. She is Ben Solo's mother, Luke Skywalker's twin sister, and the daughter of Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala. Fisher, who died in December 2016, appears through the use of repurposed unreleased footage from The Force Awakens.{{efn|name=flashback|Billie Lourd portrays her mother's character in a short flashback, which also utilizes footage from Return of the Jedi (1983).{{Cite web |last=Dumaraog |first=Ana |date=January 7, 2020 |title=Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker's Leia Flashback Used Return of the Jedi Footage |url=https://screenrant.com/rise-skywalker-leia-flashback-return-jedi-footage/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200108172455/https://screenrant.com/rise-skywalker-leia-flashback-return-jedi-footage/ |archive-date=January 8, 2020 |access-date=January 8, 2020 |website=Screen Rant}}{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-visual-effects-secrets-revealed-200000081.html|title=Billie Lourd played Leia Organa and other visual effects secrets from 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker'|last=Alter|first=Ethan|publisher=Yahoo!|date=January 7, 2020|access-date=January 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200108112006/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-visual-effects-secrets-revealed-200000081.html|archive-date=January 8, 2020|url-status=live}}}}{{efn|Unseen footage of Fisher from The Last Jedi was considered but not used.{{cite web |url=https://screenrant.com/star-wars-9-carrie-fisher-leia-last-jedi-footage/ |title=Star Wars 9 Will Use The Last Jedi Footage of Leia |last=Agar |first=Chris |work=Screen Rant |date=August 3, 2018 |access-date=August 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803190349/https://screenrant.com/star-wars-9-carrie-fisher-leia-last-jedi-footage/ |archive-date=August 3, 2018 |url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/starwars/2019/12/06/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-carrie-fisher-footage-last-jedi/|title=Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Doesn't Use Any Carrie Fisher Footage From The Last Jedi|last=Perry|first=Spencer|publisher=ComicBook.com|quote=We only used footage from Force Awakens, there really wasn't anything from Last Jedi that was not used in that movie.|date=December 5, 2019|access-date=December 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208175355/https://comicbook.com/starwars/2019/12/06/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-carrie-fisher-footage-last-jedi/|archive-date=December 8, 2019|url-status=live}}}}
• Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, the last Jedi Master, who became one with the Force in The Last Jedi.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/12/star-wars-the-last-jedi-is-luke-skywalker-dead-what-happened-to-luke |title=Star Wars: The Last Jedi—What Happened to Luke? |last=Robinson |first=Joanna |magazine=Vanity Fair |date=December 14, 2017 |access-date=March 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171217200745/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/12/star-wars-the-last-jedi-is-luke-skywalker-dead-what-happened-to-luke |archive-date=December 17, 2017 |url-status=live |url-access=limited}}
• Adam Driver as Kylo Ren (Ben Solo),{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/star-wars-episode-9-cast-confirmed-characters/ |title=Star Wars: Every Confirmed Cast Member For Episode 9|last=Hutchinson|first=Corey|work=Screen Rant|date=December 18, 2017|access-date=January 2, 2018|archive-url=https://archive.today/20180702232218/https://screenrant.com/star-wars-episode-9-cast-confirmed-characters/ |archive-date=July 2, 2018 |url-status=live}} the Supreme Leader of the First Order, who shares a powerful Force connection with Rey. He is the son of Leia Organa and Han Solo and grandson of Darth Vader.
• Daisy Ridley as Rey, a former scavenger from Jakku, Luke and Leia's Jedi apprentice, and the paternal granddaughter of Palpatine.{{cite web |last=Robinson |first=Joanna |title=Everything New Revealed in Vanity Fair's The Rise of Skywalker Cover Story |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/05/everything-new-revealed-in-vanity-fairs-the-rise-of-skywalker-cover-story |website=Vanity Fair |access-date=May 22, 2019 |date=May 22, 2019 |archive-date=June 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605001619/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/05/everything-new-revealed-in-vanity-fairs-the-rise-of-skywalker-cover-story |url-status=live |url-access=limited}}{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/starwars/2019/12/05/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-confirms-leia-is-training-rey-jedi/|title=Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Confirms Leia Is Training Rey to Be a Jedi|date=December 5, 2019 |publisher=ComicBook.com|access-date=December 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211205719/https://comicbook.com/starwars/2019/12/05/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-confirms-leia-is-training-rey-jedi/|archive-date=December 11, 2019|url-status=live}}
• Cailey Fleming and Josefine Irrera Jackson as young Rey. Fleming appears through the use of archive footage from The Force Awakens.
• John Boyega as Finn, a member of the Resistance and a former stormtrooper (FN-2187) who defected from the First Order.
• Oscar Isaac as Poe Dameron, a high-ranking X-wing fighter pilot and commander of the Resistance who later inherits the rank of General from Leia.
• Anthony Daniels as C-3PO, a humanoid protocol droid in the service of Leia.
• Naomi Ackie as Jannah,{{cite web |last=Burton |first=Bonnie |title=Meet Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker character Jannah |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/meet-new-star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-character-jannah/ |publisher=CNET |access-date=April 14, 2019 |language=en |date=April 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414031924/https://www.cnet.com/news/meet-new-star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-character-jannah/ |archive-date=April 14, 2019 |url-status=live}} a former stormtrooper of the First Order (TZ-1719) living on the planet Kef Bir, who aids the Resistance.
• Domhnall Gleeson as General Hux, the First Order's third in-command.
• Richard E. Grant as Allegiant General Pryde, a high-ranking general and second-in-command of the First Order and later commanding officer of a Sith armada, the Final Order, who previously served in the Galactic Empire.{{cite web |last=Grossman |first=Lev |author-link=Lev Grossman |title=Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, The Ultimate Preview |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/05/star-wars-cover-story |website=Vanity Fair |date=May 22, 2019 |access-date=May 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724073216/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/05/star-wars-cover-story |archive-date=July 24, 2019 |url-status=live |url-access=limited}}
• Lupita Nyong'o as Maz Kanata, a former space pirate and ally of the Resistance.
• Keri Russell as Zorii Bliss,{{cite web |title=Check Out New Star Wars Products Just Revealed for Triple Force Friday |url=https://www.starwars.com/news/triple-force-friday-products |website=StarWars.com |access-date=October 3, 2019 |date=September 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003070443/https://www.starwars.com/news/triple-force-friday-products |archive-date=October 3, 2019 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Robinson |first=Joanna |title=Star Wars: Keri Russell Is the Roguish Zorri [sic] Bliss |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/05/star-wars-keri-russell-is-the-roguish-zorri-bliss |website=Vanity Fair |access-date=May 23, 2019 |date=May 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724073107/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/05/star-wars-keri-russell-is-the-roguish-zorri-bliss |archive-date=July 24, 2019 |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} an old acquaintance of Poe's from Kijimi.
• Joonas Suotamo as Chewbacca, a Wookiee and first mate of the Millennium Falcon.
• Kelly Marie Tran as Rose Tico, a mechanic in the Resistance and friend of Finn.
• Ian McDiarmid{{Cite magazine|first=Mark|last=Hughes |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/markhughes/2019/04/12/j-j-abrams-confirms-emperor-returns-in-star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker/#204ffc994be9|title=J.J. Abrams Confirms Emperor Returns In 'Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker' |date=April 12, 2019|magazine=Forbes|access-date=April 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413124706/https://www.forbes.com/sites/markhughes/2019/04/12/j-j-abrams-confirms-emperor-returns-in-star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker/#204ffc994be9|archive-date=April 13, 2019|url-status=live|url-access=limited}}{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2019-12-17/star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-palpatine|title=Emperor Palpatine actor was done with 'Star Wars'. Then J.J. Abrams called|last=Schoellkopf|first=Christina|work=Los Angeles Times|date=December 17, 2019|access-date=December 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218003439/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2019-12-17/star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-palpatine|archive-date=December 18, 2019|url-status=live|url-access=limited}} as Emperor Palpatine, the resurrected Dark Lord of the Sith, shadow leader of the First Order, creator of Snoke, and Rey's paternal grandfather. He serves as the main antagonist of the Skywalker Saga and was previously thought to be conclusively dead after the Battle of Endor depicted in Return of the Jedi (1983).{{cite web|url=https://time.com/5752170/who-are-reys-parents/|title=Breaking Down That Shocking Rey Reveal in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker|last=McCluskey|first=Megan|date=December 20, 2019|access-date=January 17, 2020|magazine=Time|archive-date=December 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222013348/https://time.com/5752170/who-are-reys-parents/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/star-wars-celebration/2019/4/15/18311680/star-wars-episode-ix-emperor-palpatine-dead-theory-rumors-rise-of-skywalker|title=Ian McDiarmid says the Emperor is definitely 'dead' before Episode IX.|last=Hall|first=Charlie|date=April 15, 2019|website=Polygon|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415205208/https://www.polygon.com/star-wars-celebration/2019/4/15/18311680/star-wars-episode-ix-emperor-palpatine-dead-theory-rumors-rise-of-skywalker|archive-date=April 15, 2019|access-date=April 16, 2019}}
• Billy Dee Williams as Lando Calrissian, a veteran of the Rebel Alliance, a former owner of the Millennium Falcon, and an old friend of Chewbacca, Leia, Luke, and Han.
• Liam Cook as Ochi,{{cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/liam-cook/credits/3060537685/ |title=Liam Cook |date= |last= |first= |work=TVGuide.com |access-date=January 23, 2025 }} the Sith assassin who is responsible for killing Rey's parents to reclaim his ship and for hiding her on Jakku.{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a40456541/star-wars-rey-parents-ochi-rise-of-skywalker/ |title=Star Wars clears up Rise of Skywalker mystery about Rey's parents |date=June 29, 2022 |last=Sandwell |first=Ian |work=Digital Spy |access-date=January 23, 2025 }}

Billie Lourd,{{efn|name=flashback}} Greg Grunberg, and Harrison Ford reprise their roles as Lieutenant Kaydel Ko Connix, Temmin "Snap" Wexley, and Han Solo, respectively.{{cite news|url=https://time.com/5567795/star-wars-episode-ix-release-date-cast/|title=Everything We Know About 'Star Wars: Episode IX'|last=Dockterman|first=Eliana|date=April 12, 2019|access-date=September 7, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190506015832/http://time.com/5567795/star-wars-episode-ix-release-date-cast/|archive-date=May 6, 2019|magazine=Time}}{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/starwars/2018/07/20/star-wars-episode-ix-greg-grunberg-returns/|title=Star Wars: Greg Grunberg Teases Episode IX Return|last=Schmidt|first=J.K.|date=July 20, 2018|publisher=ComicBook.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180720080518/http://comicbook.com/starwars/2018/07/20/star-wars-episode-ix-greg-grunberg-returns/|archive-date=July 20, 2018|access-date=July 20, 2018}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/12/rise-of-skywalker-han-solo-harrison-ford-legacy|title=How Han Solo's Legacy Looms Over The Rise of Skywalker|last=Breznican|first=Anthony|date=December 20, 2019|work=Vanity Fair|access-date=December 20, 2019|url-status=live|url-access=limited|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220232634/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/12/rise-of-skywalker-han-solo-harrison-ford-legacy|archive-date=December 20, 2019}} Additionally, Dominic Monaghan portrays Resistance trooper Beaumont Kin, Shirley Henderson voices Babu Frik, and Nick Kellington portrays Klaud via capture performance.{{cite web |url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/5e3050b014745|title=Star Wars Episode IX The Rise of Skywalker|publisher=British Film Institute|access-date=December 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020191512/https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/5e3050b014745|archive-date=October 20, 2020|url-status=dead}} Hassan Taj and Lee Towersey perform the role of R2-D2, while Dave Chapman and Brian Herring return as the puppeteers of BB-8, and director J. J. Abrams also provides the voice for D-O.{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-cameos-jodie-comer-harrison-ford-cast-spoilers-a9252951.html|title=Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker – every cameo, from Jodie Comer to John Williams|last=Stolworthy|first=Jacob|date=December 19, 2019|work=The Independent|access-date=December 20, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219175605/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-cameos-jodie-comer-harrison-ford-cast-spoilers-a9252951.html|archive-date=December 19, 2019}} Martin Wilde, Anton Simpson-Tidy, Lukaz Leong, Tom Rodgers, Joe Kennard, and Ashley Beck appear as the Knights of Ren. Amanda Lawrence reprises her role as Commander Larma D'Acy, while Vinette Robinson plays her wife, Pilot Wrobie Tyce.{{Cite web |title=Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker's Gay Characters Explained|url=https://screenrant.com/star-wars-rise-skywalker-gay-lesbian-kiss-explained/|last=Ramella|first=Brynne|date=May 19, 2020 |website=Screen Rant |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609235817/https://screenrant.com/star-wars-rise-skywalker-gay-lesbian-kiss-explained/|archive-date=June 9, 2020 |access-date=December 19, 2020}}

Billy Howle and Jodie Comer briefly appear as Rey's parents, Dathan and Miramir,{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/books/2022/05/19/star-wars-shadow-sith-exclusive-excerpt-reys-parents-luke-skywalker/9820101002/|title='Star Wars: Shadow of the Sith' exclusive excerpt: Rey's parents showcased in Luke Skywalker-centric story|publisher=Usa Today}} while Tom Wilton and screenwriter Chris Terrio briefly appear as the performer and voice for Aftab Ackbar, the son of Admiral Ackbar, respectively;{{Cite web |title=Here Are All the 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' Cameos (That We Know Of)|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-cameos/|last=Anderton|first=Ethan|date=January 20, 2020 |website=/Film |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112001150/https://www.slashfilm.com/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-cameos/|archive-date=November 12, 2020 |access-date=December 19, 2020}} and Mike Quinn and Kipsang Rotich return as the performer and voice of Nien Nunb, respectively. Denis Lawson and Warwick Davis briefly reprise their roles as Wedge Antilles, a veteran of the Rebel Alliance; and Wicket W. Warrick, now the leader of the Ewoks, respectively.{{Cite news|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/12/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-cameos-who-were-the-jedi-voices-jodie-comer-reys-mom|title=25 Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Cameos You Might Have Missed|last1=Breznican|first1=Anthony|date=December 20, 2019|work=Vanity Fair|last2=Robinson|first2=Joanna|access-date=December 23, 2019|archive-date=December 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201234554/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/12/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-cameos-who-were-the-jedi-voices-jodie-comer-reys-mom|url-status=live|url-access=limited}} Composer John Williams cameos as Oma Tres, a Kijimi bartender, Kevin Smith cameos as a Kijimi inhabitant, and Abrams' frequent composer collaborator Michael Giacchino cameos as a Sith Trooper, while Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jeff Garlin both cameo as human and alien Resistance troopers, respectively.{{cite web |last=Acebedo |first=Bayani Miguel |title=Kevin Smith Shares His Cameo in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker |url=http://epicstream.com/news/BayaniMiguelAcebedo/Kevin-Smith-Shares-His-Cameo-in-Star-Wars-The-Rise-of-Skywalker |website=Epicstream |access-date=December 24, 2019 |date=December 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191224121405/http://epicstream.com/news/BayaniMiguelAcebedo/Kevin-Smith-Shares-His-Cameo-in-Star-Wars-The-Rise-of-Skywalker |archive-date=December 24, 2019 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|last=Cavanaugh|first=Patrick|title=The Goldbergs Star Confirms Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Cameo|url=https://comicbook.com/starwars/2019/10/02/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-jeff-garlin-cameo-the-goldbergs-curb-your-enthusiasm/|publisher=ComicBook.com|access-date=October 22, 2019|date=October 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022043349/https://comicbook.com/starwars/2019/10/02/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-jeff-garlin-cameo-the-goldbergs-curb-your-enthusiasm/|archive-date=October 22, 2019|url-status=live}} Actors making reprisal vocal cameos include: Hayden Christensen and James Earl Jones as Anakin Skywalker / Darth Vader, Andy Serkis as Snoke, and the voices of several past Jedi, including Ewan McGregor and Alec Guinness as Obi-Wan Kenobi (the latter via digitally altered archive audio), Ashley Eckstein as Ahsoka Tano, Freddie Prinze Jr. as Kanan Jarrus, Olivia d'Abo as Luminara Unduli, Frank Oz as Yoda, Liam Neeson as Qui-Gon Jinn, Jennifer Hale as Aayla Secura, Samuel L. Jackson as Mace Windu, and Angelique Perrin as Adi Gallia. Ed Sheeran, Karl Urban, Dhani Harrison, Nigel Godrich, J. D. Dillard, and Dave Hearn all cameo as stormtroopers.{{Cite web|last1=Alex|first1=Susannah|last2=Tanswell|first2=Adam|date=July 28, 2020|title=The Boys and Star Trek star Karl Urban had secret Rise of Skywalker cameo|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a33444596/karl-urban-star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-cameo/|access-date=July 29, 2020|publisher=Digital Spy|archive-date=July 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729224715/https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a33444596/karl-urban-star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-cameo/|url-status=live}}

In October 2012, Star Wars creator George Lucas sold his production company Lucasfilm to the Walt Disney Company.{{cite web |url=http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-03-07/how-disney-bought-lucasfilm-and-its-plans-for-star-wars |title=How Disney Bought Lucasfilm—and Its Plans for 'Star Wars' |last=Leonard |first=Devin |date=March 7, 2013 |website=Bloomberg Businessweek |access-date=May 26, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170930150541/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-03-07/how-disney-bought-lucasfilm-and-its-plans-for-star-wars |archive-date=September 30, 2017 |url-status=dead |url-access=subscription }} Disney subsequently announced the Star Wars sequel trilogy.{{cite web |last=Serpe |first=Gina |title=New Star Wars Film Coming in 2015! |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/358618/star-wars-7-movie-coming-in-2015-as-disney-buys-lucasfilm-for-4-billion |website=E! |access-date=May 23, 2019 |date=October 30, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190523231407/https://www.eonline.com/news/358618/star-wars-7-movie-coming-in-2015-as-disney-buys-lucasfilm-for-4-billion |archive-date=May 23, 2019 |url-status=live}} The next month, Lawrence Kasdan and Simon Kinberg entered negotiations to write and produce either Episode VIII or Episode IX.{{cite web|last=Kit|first=Borys|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/star-wars-lawrence-kasdan-simon-393459/|title=Sources: Lawrence Kasdan, Simon Kinberg Lock Deals to Write and Produce Star Wars Installments|date=November 20, 2012|website=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=June 15, 2022|archive-date=June 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615162016/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/star-wars-lawrence-kasdan-simon-393459/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Fleming|first=Mike Jr.|url=https://deadline.com/2012/11/star-wars-lawrence-kasdan-simon-kinberg-writers-script-disney-371022/|title=Are Lawrence Kasdan, Simon Kinberg Being Courted To Script Star Wars Pics 2 and 3?|date=November 20, 2012|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=June 15, 2022|archive-date=June 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615162020/https://deadline.com/2012/11/star-wars-lawrence-kasdan-simon-kinberg-writers-script-disney-371022/|url-status=live}} Kinberg, Kasdan, and Michael Arndt worked in a writers room to discuss and map out the trilogy.{{cite web|last=Chitwood|first=Adam|url=https://collider.com/star-wars-simon-kinberg-talks-writers-room-force-awakens-involvement/|title=Simon Kinberg Reveals His Role in the Star Wars Universe, Force Awakens Involvement|date=August 4, 2015|website=Collider|access-date=June 15, 2022|archive-date=June 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615162015/https://collider.com/star-wars-simon-kinberg-talks-writers-room-force-awakens-involvement/|url-status=live}} However, these plans did not come to fruition and instead Kasdan co-wrote Episode VII - Star Wars: The Force Awakens, with Kinberg serving as a creative consultant.{{cite web|last=Taylor|first=Drew|url=https://www.thewrap.com/the-355-simon-kinberg-interview-star-wars/|title=The 355 Director Simon Kinberg Talks Female Spy Movies, Star Wars, and His New Running Man|date=January 7, 2022|website=The Wrap|access-date=June 15, 2022|archive-date=May 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524222437/https://www.thewrap.com/the-355-simon-kinberg-interview-star-wars/|url-status=live}} In June 2014, it was announced that Rian Johnson, writer and director of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, would write a story treatment for Episode IX.{{cite news |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/star-wars-episode-viii-sets-713726 |title='Star Wars: Episode VIII' Sets Director |last1=Ford |first1=Rebecca |last2=Siegel |first2=Tatiana |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=June 20, 2014 |access-date=June 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140620224243/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/star-wars-episode-viii-sets-713726 |archive-date=June 20, 2014 |url-status=live}} However in April 2017, Johnson later denied involvement in writing the film, claiming the information was outdated.{{cite web |last=Chitwood |first=Adam |url=https://collider.com/star-wars-9-rian-johnson/ |title=No, Rian Johnson Didn't Write the Story Treatment for 'Star Wars: Episode IX' |date=April 27, 2017 |publisher=Collider |access-date=February 20, 2021 |archive-date=September 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922122411/https://collider.com/star-wars-9-rian-johnson/ |url-status=live}}

In August 2015, Colin Trevorrow was announced as the director of the film;{{cite news |last1=Rebecca |first1=Ford |title=Star Wars: Episode IX Sets Jurassic World Director Colin Trevorrow to Helm |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/star-wars-episode-9-director-807838 |access-date=August 16, 2015 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=August 15, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150817133200/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/star-wars-episode-9-director-807838 |archive-date=August 17, 2015 |url-status=live}} he was to write the script with frequent collaborator Derek Connolly.{{cite web |url=https://collider.com/star-wars-9-rey-parents-colin-trevorrow/ |title=Star Wars: Episode IX Director Colin Trevorrow Promises 'Satisfying' Answer to Rey Theories |last=Chitwood |first=Adam |publisher=Collider |date=January 12, 2016 |access-date=April 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170430210426/http://collider.com/star-wars-9-rey-parents-colin-trevorrow |archive-date=April 30, 2017 |url-status=live}} Trevorrow and Connolly's script, titled Star Wars: Duel of the Fates after the theme of the same name from Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, included elements which were utilized to some extent in the final film, such as Kylo finding a Sith holocron in Darth Vader's castle on Mustafar, the transference of Force energy,{{cite web |title=Full Breakdown of Colin Trevorrow's Star Wars: Episode IX Story |url=https://www.starwarsnewsnet.com/2020/01/full-breakdown-of-colin-trevorrows-star-wars-episode-ix-story.html |website=Star Wars News Net |access-date=January 25, 2020 |date=January 16, 2020 |archive-date=January 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200125091731/https://www.starwarsnewsnet.com/2020/01/full-breakdown-of-colin-trevorrows-star-wars-episode-ix-story.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Russell |first1=Bradley |title=Star Wars: Colin Trevorrow confirms Episode 9 script leak is real but corrects one plot point |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/star-wars-episode-9-duel-of-the-fates-colin-trevorrow-confirmation/ |website=GamesRadar+ |access-date=January 25, 2020 |date=January 24, 2020 |archive-date=January 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200124171037/https://www.gamesradar.com/star-wars-episode-9-duel-of-the-fates-colin-trevorrow-confirmation/ |url-status=live }} the concept of a superlaser-equipped Star Destroyer, Lando leading a galaxy-wide fleet of spaceships to save the day, and Chewbacca receiving a medal.{{Cite web|last=Bacon|first=Thomas|date=2020-02-19|title=Every Rise Of Skywalker Moment In Colin Trevorrow's Star Wars 9 Script|url=https://screenrant.com/star-wars-9-rise-skywalker-duel-fates-script-story-similarities/|access-date=2021-08-25|website=Screen Rant|language=en-US|archive-date=December 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211205204315/https://screenrant.com/star-wars-9-rise-skywalker-duel-fates-script-story-similarities/|url-status=live}} An original idea of Trevorrow and his design team, the First Order TIE Echelon, survived in the Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge theme park, whose ship was supposed to appear in its original film.{{Cite web|last=Baxter|first=Baxter|date=2019-06-14|title=Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge's TIE Echelon Was Designed for Colin Trevorrow's Episode IX|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/star-wars-galaxys-edge-tie-echelon-colin-trevorrow-episode-ix/|access-date=2024-04-03|website=Den of Geek|language=en-US}}

File:J. J. Abrams by Gage Skidmore.jpg returned to direct the final film.]]

In January 2016, Trevorrow revealed he was considering shooting on film and that he had wanted to shoot "on location" in outer space with IMAX cameras.{{cite web|last=Lee|first=Ashley|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/star-wars-episode-ix-shot-860188/|title=Star Wars: Episode IX Director Wants to Shoot on Film, Not Digital — and in Outer Space|date=January 28, 2016|website=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=June 14, 2022|archive-date=June 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615162015/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/star-wars-episode-ix-shot-860188/|url-status=live}} Trevorrow and cinematographer John Schwartzman had planned to shoot the project entirely on 65mm film, using a new processing facility Kodak had developed in the UK.{{Cite web |date=2016-11-11|title= Colin Trevorrow's 'Star Wars: Episode 9' Will Be Shot On 65mm Film|url= https://theplaylist.net/star-wars-episode-9-65-mm-20161111/|access-date=2025-02-21 |website=The Playlist}} Trevorrow collaborated closely with Johnson whilst developing his script and even requested a scene featuring Rey and Poe be shot for Episode VIII -The Last Jedi.{{cite web|last=Romano|first=Nick|url=https://collider.com/star-wars-8-rian-johnson-colin-trevorrow/|title=Star Wars: Episode VIII: Rian Johnson, Colin Trevorrow "Working Closely Together" on Sequels|date=January 11, 2016|website=Collider|access-date=June 14, 2022|archive-date=December 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221190022/https://collider.com/star-wars-8-rian-johnson-colin-trevorrow/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Winfrey|first=Graham|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2017/06/star-wars-episode-ix-colin-trevorrow-rian-johnson-shoot-extra-scene-the-last-jedi-1201844274/|title=Star Wars: Episode IX Director Colin Trevorrow Asked Rian Johnson to Shoot an Extra Scene For Him|date=June 20, 2017|website=IndieWire|access-date=June 14, 2022|archive-date=June 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615162015/https://www.indiewire.com/2017/06/star-wars-episode-ix-colin-trevorrow-rian-johnson-shoot-extra-scene-the-last-jedi-1201844274/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=De Semlyen|first=Nick|url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/colin-trevorrow-star-wars-rise-skywalker-last-jedi/|title=Star Wars: Colin Trevorrow On His Rise Of Skywalker Writing Credit And His Last Jedi Contribution – Exclusive|date=November 22, 2019|website=Empire Online|access-date=June 14, 2022|archive-date=June 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615162014/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/colin-trevorrow-star-wars-rise-skywalker-last-jedi/|url-status=live}} After the success of The Force Awakens, which became the highest-grossing film of 2015, Episode IX was put into production in February 2016, which Disney chief executive officer Bob Iger vaguely reported.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.ew.com/article/2016/02/10/star-wars-episode-viii-production |title=Star Wars: Episode VIII has started filming |last=Breznican |first=Anthony |author-link=Anthony Breznican |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=February 10, 2016 |access-date=February 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160210204839/http://www.ew.com/article/2016/02/10/star-wars-episode-viii-production |archive-date=February 10, 2016 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=2015 Worldwide Box Office |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/world/2015/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818152249/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/world/2015/ |archive-date=August 18, 2020 |access-date=November 19, 2023 |website=Box Office Mojo}}

In late April 2017, Disney announced that the film would be released on May 24, 2019. A month later, filming was expected to begin in January 2018.{{cite web |url=http://clicklancashire.com/2017/06/03/star-wars-episode-ix-to-begin-filming-in-january-2018.html |title=Star Wars: Episode IX to begin filming in January 2018 |last=Kim |first=Lawrence |work=Click Lancashire |date=June 3, 2017 |access-date=July 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912234703/http://clicklancashire.com/2017/06/03/star-wars-episode-ix-to-begin-filming-in-january-2018.html |archive-date=September 12, 2017 |url-status=usurped}} In August 2017, it was announced that Jack Thorne would rewrite the script.{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/star-wars-episode-ix-gets-a-new-writer-1026003 |title=Star Wars: Episode IX Gets a New Writer (Exclusive) |last=Kit |first=Borys |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=August 1, 2017 |access-date=August 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813060215/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/star-wars-episode-ix-gets-a-new-writer-1026003 |archive-date=August 13, 2017 |url-status=live}} On September 5, 2017, Lucasfilm stated that Trevorrow had left the production following creative differences.{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2017/film/news/colin-trevorrow-exits-star-wars-episode-ix-1202548088/ |title=Colin Trevorrow Out as Star Wars: Episode IX Director |last=McNary |first=Dave |author-link=Dave McNary |work=Variety |date=September 5, 2017 |access-date=September 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906005343/http://variety.com/2017/film/news/colin-trevorrow-exits-star-wars-episode-ix-1202548088/ |archive-date=September 6, 2017 |url-status=live}} Trevorrow's place as director was supposedly on ice since June 2017.{{cite web|last=Davis|first=Grant|url=https://www.starwarsnewsnet.com/2018/04/colin-trevorrow-was-dismissed-from-star-wars-episode-ix-earlier-than-realized.html|title=Colin Trevorrow Was Dismissed from Star Wars Episode IX Earlier Than Realized|date=April 29, 2018|website=Star Wars News Net|access-date=June 14, 2022|archive-date=June 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627084437/https://www.starwarsnewsnet.com/2018/04/colin-trevorrow-was-dismissed-from-star-wars-episode-ix-earlier-than-realized.html|url-status=live}} The Hollywood Reporter reported that his working relationship with Kathleen Kennedy had become unmanageable after failing to deliver a satisfactory script, despite writing several drafts, nor were either happy with Thorne's revisions.{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/colin-trevorrow-as-director-star-wars-episode-ix-1035463 |title=Colin Trevorrow Out as Star Wars: Episode IX Director |last1=Kit |first1=Borys |last2=Galuppo |first2=Mia |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=September 5, 2017 |access-date=September 12, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913164402/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/colin-trevorrow-as-director-star-wars-episode-ix-1035463 |archive-date=September 13, 2017 |url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Chitwood|first=Adam|url=https://collider.com/star-wars-9-why-colin-trevorrow-was-fired/|title=Here's Why Colin Trevorrow Was Fired from Star Wars: Episode IX|date=May 11, 2018|website=Collider|access-date=June 14, 2022|archive-date=June 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615162015/https://collider.com/star-wars-9-why-colin-trevorrow-was-fired/|url-status=live}} Johnson was rumored as the top choice to replace Trevorrow as director,{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2017/09/rian-johnson-frontrunner-star-wars-episode-ix-colin-trevorrow-1202162109/ |title=Might Rian Johnson Return For Star Wars: Episode IX? |last=Fleming |first=Mike Jr. |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=September 6, 2017 |access-date=September 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906015823/http://deadline.com/2017/09/rian-johnson-frontrunner-star-wars-episode-ix-colin-trevorrow-1202162109/ |archive-date=September 6, 2017 |url-status=live}} but stated "it was never in the plan for me to direct Episode IX."{{cite web |url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/886645-rian-johnson-casts-doubt-on-directing-star-wars-episode-ix#/slide/1 |title=Rian Johnson Casts Doubt on Directing Star Wars: Episode IX |last=Perry |first=Spencer |publisher=ComingSoon.net |date=September 11, 2017 |access-date=September 12, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911212822/http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/886645-rian-johnson-casts-doubt-on-directing-star-wars-episode-ix#/slide/1 |archive-date=September 11, 2017 |url-status=live}} David Fincher had discussions with the studio but would ultimately decline from directing the film.{{cite web|last=Saavedra|first=John|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/star-wars-episode-ix-david-fincher/|title=Star Wars Episode IX: Why David Fincher Didn't Direct the Movie|date=April 12, 2019|website=Den of Geek|access-date=June 16, 2022|archive-date=June 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617020737/https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/star-wars-episode-ix-david-fincher/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Parker|first=Ryan|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/star-wars-episode-ix-david-fincher-didnt-want-direct-1051156/|title=David Fincher Didn't Want the Stress of Directing a Star Wars Film|date=October 23, 2017|website=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=June 16, 2022|archive-date=June 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617020737/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/star-wars-episode-ix-david-fincher-didnt-want-direct-1051156/|url-status=live}}

On September 12, it was announced that J.J. Abrams, the director of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, would return to direct the film,{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2017/film/news/j-j-abrams-star-wars-episode-ix-director-colin-trevorrow-1202548094/ |title=J.J. Abrams to Replace Colin Trevorrow as Director of Star Wars: Episode IX |last=Kroll |first=Justin |work=Variety |date=September 12, 2017 |access-date=September 12, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912192741/http://variety.com/2017/film/news/j-j-abrams-star-wars-episode-ix-director-colin-trevorrow-1202548094/ |archive-date=September 12, 2017 |url-status=live}} and that the film's release date would be moved to December 20, 2019.{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/jj-abrams-replace-colin-trevorrow-as-star-wars-episode-ix-writer-director-1037933? |title=J.J. Abrams to Replace Colin Trevorrow as Star Wars: Episode IX Writer and Director |last=Parker |first=Ryan |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=September 12, 2017 |access-date=September 12, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912174742/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/jj-abrams-replace-colin-trevorrow-as-star-wars-episode-ix-writer-director-1037933 |archive-date=September 12, 2017 |url-status=live}} The story team met with George Lucas before writing the new script to help find a way to conclude the saga.{{cite web |last=Yehl |first=Joshua |title=How George Lucas Helped Finish Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/04/12/how-george-lucas-helped-finish-star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker |website=IGN |date=April 12, 2019 |access-date=April 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413191819/https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/04/12/how-george-lucas-helped-finish-star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker |archive-date=April 13, 2019 |url-status=live}} Abrams {{nowrap|co-wrote}} the script with Chris Terrio,{{cite web |url=http://www.starwars.com/news/j-j-abrams-to-write-and-direct-star-wars-episode-ix |title=J.J. Abrams To Write And Direct Star Wars: Episode IX |publisher=StarWars.com |date=September 12, 2017 |access-date=September 12, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912234903/http://www.starwars.com/news/j-j-abrams-to-write-and-direct-star-wars-episode-ix |archive-date=September 12, 2017 |url-status=live}} though Trevorrow and Connolly retain story credits.{{cite web |last=Lawrence |first=Gregory |title=Exclusive: 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' Final Writing Credits Revealed |url=https://collider.com/who-wrote-star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker/ |publisher=Collider |access-date=November 19, 2019 |date=November 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191119001404/https://collider.com/who-wrote-star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker/ |archive-date=November 19, 2019 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|last=Welk|first=Brian|url=https://www.thewrap.com/star-wars-writer-chris-terrio-explains-why-the-rise-of-skywalker-doesnt-undo-the-last-jedi/|title=Star Wars Writer Chris Terrio Says The Rise of Skywalker Doesn't Undo The Last Jedi|date=December 30, 2019|website=TheWrap|access-date=December 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230161706/https://www.thewrap.com/star-wars-writer-chris-terrio-explains-why-the-rise-of-skywalker-doesnt-undo-the-last-jedi/|archive-date=December 30, 2019|url-status=live}} The story was rewritten to some extent before filming was completed.{{cite web |last=Jackson |first=Matthew |title=J.J. Abrams spilled entire Rise of Skywalker plot to Daisy Ridley, loudly, in public |url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/jj-abrams-spilled-entire-rise-of-skywalker-story-in-public |publisher=Syfy Wire |access-date=June 30, 2019 |date=June 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190629233958/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/jj-abrams-spilled-entire-rise-of-skywalker-story-in-public |archive-date=June 29, 2019 |url-status=live}} Terrio had written off working on larger-scale films at the time and did not socially know Abrams prior to agreeing to co-write the film with him.{{cite web|last=Philip|first=Tom|url=https://www.gq.com/story/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalkers-writer-knew-not-everyone-would-like-it|title=Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker 's Writer Knew Not Everyone Would Like It|date=January 8, 2020|website=GQ|access-date=June 14, 2022|archive-date=June 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615162015/https://www.gq.com/story/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalkers-writer-knew-not-everyone-would-like-it|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Pate|first=Jordan|url=https://www.starwarsnewsnet.com/2019/04/j-j-abrams-on-episode-ix-chris-terrio-and-bringing-a-beloved-saga-to-a-satisfying-end.html|title=J.J. Abrams on Episode IX, Chris Terrio, and Bringing a Beloved Saga to a Satisfying End|date=April 9, 2019|website=Star Wars News Net|access-date=June 14, 2022|archive-date=June 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615162015/https://www.starwarsnewsnet.com/2019/04/j-j-abrams-on-episode-ix-chris-terrio-and-bringing-a-beloved-saga-to-a-satisfying-end.html|url-status=live}}

The film was produced by Abrams' company Bad Robot, Kathleen Kennedy, and Michelle Rejwan. According to Terrio, the film's script had to include certain narrative beats provided by Kennedy and Rejwan, including the redemption of the character Kylo Ren.{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/12/30/star-wars-palpatines-return-was-apparently-kathleen-kennedys-idea-jj-abrams-rise-of-skywalker-emperor-rey-kylo|title=Star Wars: Palpatine's Return in Rise of Skywalker Was Apparently Kathleen Kennedy's Idea|date=December 30, 2019|access-date=January 28, 2021|first=Matt|last=Fowler|website=IGN|archive-date=January 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127173644/https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/12/30/star-wars-palpatines-return-was-apparently-kathleen-kennedys-idea-jj-abrams-rise-of-skywalker-emperor-rey-kylo|url-status=live}} Abrams had also consulted with Johnson on making a film that both stood on its own but built upon previously established ideas and story elements.{{cite web|last=El-Mahmoud|first=Sarah|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2487404/yes-jj-abrams-consulted-with-rian-johnson-ahead-of-star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker|title=Yes, J.J. Abrams Consulted With Rian Johnson Ahead Of Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker|date=December 23, 2019|website=CinemaBlend|access-date=June 15, 2022|archive-date=June 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615162015/https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2487404/yes-jj-abrams-consulted-with-rian-johnson-ahead-of-star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Burlingame|first=Russ|url=https://comicbook.com/starwars/news/rian-johnson-reveals-he-had-many-discussions-with-j-j-abrams-abo/|title=Rian Johnson Reveals He Had Many Discussions With J.J. Abrams About Star Wars: The Last Jedi|date=October 9, 2019|website=Comic Book|access-date=June 15, 2022|archive-date=June 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615162020/https://comicbook.com/starwars/news/rian-johnson-reveals-he-had-many-discussions-with-j-j-abrams-abo/|url-status=live}}

Before filming, Episode IX was initially given the working title Black Diamond, which was then changed to TrIXie in 2018,{{cite web |last=Cameron |first=Brian |title=Exclusive: Episode IX gets a new working title |url=http://www.fanthatracks.com/news/film-music-tv/exclusive-episode-ix-gets-a-new-working-title/ |website=Fantha Tracks |access-date=December 18, 2019 |date=June 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218091110/http://www.fanthatracks.com/news/film-music-tv/exclusive-episode-ix-gets-a-new-working-title/ |archive-date=December 18, 2019 |url-status=live }} so that the roman numeral "IX" would be included in the working title.{{Cite book|last=Szostak|first=Phil|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1100598789|title=The Art of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker|publisher=Abrams|year=2020|isbn=978-1-4197-4038-1|pages=91|oclc=1100598789|access-date=January 28, 2021|archive-date=January 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128143614/https://www.worldcat.org/title/art-of-star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker/oclc/1100598789|url-status=live}} The film's title, The Rise of Skywalker, was announced at April 2019's Star Wars Celebration in Chicago.{{cite web |last1=Whitten |first1=Sarah |title=Star Wars Episode IX's title is 'The Rise of Skywalker' |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/04/12/star-wars-episode-ixs-title-is-the-rise-of-skywalker.html |publisher=CNBC |access-date=April 12, 2019 |date=April 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412181531/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/04/12/star-wars-episode-ixs-title-is-the-rise-of-skywalker.html |archive-date=April 12, 2019 |url-status=live}} Until its official reveal, only Abrams knew the title of the film.{{cite web |last=Kurp |first=Josh |date=February 12, 2019 |title=There's Only One Person Who Knows The Star Wars: Episode IX Title |url=https://uproxx.com/hitfix/star-wars-episode-ix-title-jj-abrams/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615162015/https://uproxx.com/hitfix/star-wars-episode-ix-title-jj-abrams/ |archive-date=June 15, 2022 |access-date=June 15, 2022 |website=Uproxx}}

Carrie Fisher, who played General Leia Organa, died on December 27, 2016.{{Cite news |date=December 27, 2016 |title=Carrie Fisher, iconic "Star Wars" actress, dead at 60 |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/carrie-fisher-iconic-star-wars-princess-leia-dead-at-60/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228163920/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/carrie-fisher-iconic-star-wars-princess-leia-dead-at-60/ |archive-date=December 28, 2016 |access-date=February 22, 2021 |publisher=CBS News}} Variety and Reuters reported that she had been planned for a key role in Episode IX.{{cite web |author=((Reuters News Agency)) |date=December 28, 2016 |title=How will Carrie Fisher's death affect the Star Wars franchise and will they recast Princess Leia? |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2016/12/28/will-carrie-fishers-death-affect-star-wars-franchise-will-recast/ |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228163517/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2016/12/28/will-carrie-fishers-death-affect-star-wars-franchise-will-recast/ |archive-date=December 28, 2016 |access-date=December 29, 2016 |website=The Daily Telegraph}} In January 2017, Lucasfilm stated that there were no plans to digitally generate Fisher's performance as they had for Rogue One (2016).{{cite web |url=http://www.starwars.com/news/a-statement-regarding-new-rumors |title=A Statement Regarding New Rumors |date=January 13, 2017 |publisher=StarWars.com |access-date=January 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170123073355/http://www.starwars.com/news/a-statement-regarding-new-rumors |archive-date=January 23, 2017 |url-status=live}} The following April, Fisher's brother Todd revealed that Fisher's daughter, Billie Lourd, had granted Disney the rights to use recent footage of Fisher.{{cite web |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/late-carrie-fisher-final-star-wars-movie-article-1.3030154 |title=The late Carrie Fisher will appear in final Star Wars movie, says brother Todd Fisher |last=Desorbough |first=James |date=April 7, 2017 |work=New York Daily News |access-date=April 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170408005055/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/late-carrie-fisher-final-star-wars-movie-article-1.3030154 |archive-date=April 8, 2017 |url-status=live}} However, a week later, Kathleen Kennedy stated that Fisher would not appear in the film.{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/star-wars-carrie-fisher-will-not-appear-episode-ix-994204 |title=Carrie Fisher Will Not Appear in Star Wars: Episode IX |last=Parker |first=Ryan |date=April 14, 2017 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=April 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170415103946/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/star-wars-carrie-fisher-will-not-appear-episode-ix-994204 |archive-date=April 15, 2017 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2017/film/news/carrie-fisher-not-in-star-wars-episode-ix-1202033153/ |title=Carrie Fisher Won't Appear in Star Wars: Episode IX |last=Khatchatourian |first=Maane |date=April 14, 2017 |work=Variety |access-date=April 15, 2017 |archive-date=December 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201234554/https://variety.com/2017/film/news/carrie-fisher-not-in-star-wars-episode-ix-1202031153/ |url-status=live }} In July 2018, J. J. Abrams announced that unused footage of Fisher from The Force Awakens would be used to help complete the story.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/star-wars-episode-ix-cast-revealed-1130442|title=Carrie Fisher to Appear in 'Star Wars: Episode IX'|last=Couch|first=Aaron|work=The Hollywood Reporter|quote="We desperately loved Carrie Fisher," Abrams said in a statement. "Finding a truly satisfying conclusion to the Skywalker saga without her eluded us. We were never going to recast, or use a CG character. With the support and blessing from her daughter, Billie [Lourd], we have found a way to honor Carrie's legacy and role as Leia in Episode IX by using unseen footage we shot together in Episode VII."|date=July 27, 2018|access-date=July 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728035727/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/star-wars-episode-ix-cast-revealed-1130442|archive-date=July 28, 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/culture/story/todd-fisher-carries-continuing-legacy-lot-60049395 |title=Todd Fisher on Carrie's continuing legacy: 'There's a lot more to come' |last=Sanda |first=Clayton |date=December 28, 2018 |work=Good Morning America |access-date=December 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181228221037/https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/culture/story/todd-fisher-carries-continuing-legacy-lot-60049395 |archive-date=December 28, 2018 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/7/27/17623272/carrie-fisher-mark-hamill-star-wars-episode-9-cast |title=Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill will appear in Star Wars: Episode IX |last=Alexander |first=Julia |date=July 27, 2018 |work=Polygon |access-date=December 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180825200307/https://www.polygon.com/2018/7/27/17623272/carrie-fisher-mark-hamill-star-wars-episode-9-cast |archive-date=August 25, 2018 |url-status=live}}{{efn|According to Todd Fisher, "There's a lot of minutes of footage. I don't mean just outtakes. This is unused, new content that could be woven into the storyline. ... It's going to look like it was meant to be. Like it was shot yesterday."}} In flashback scenes, digital de-aging was used for the appearance of Luke and Leia through the use of facial shots of both characters from the Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi respectively.{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/movies/2020/01/07/carrie-fisher-daughter-billie-lourd-young-leia-star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker/|title=Carrie Fisher's daughter Billie Lourd briefly played young Leia in The Rise of Skywalker|first=Devan|last=Coggan|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=January 7, 2020|access-date=January 25, 2020|archive-date=January 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200125000242/https://ew.com/movies/2020/01/07/carrie-fisher-daughter-billie-lourd-young-leia-star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker/|url-status=live}} In November 2019, prior to the release of the film, Carrie Fisher's brother Todd Fisher, who planned before her death for her character to appear in the film, revealed that "she was going to be the big payoff in the final film" and "she was going to be the last Jedi, so to speak."{{Cite web |last1=Alter |first1=Ethan |last2=San |first2=Jon |date=November 6, 2019 |title=Carrie Fisher's brother reveals new details about Leia's 'Rise of Skywalker' role: 'She was going to be the last Jedi' |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/details-of-carrie-fishers-rise-of-skywalker-role-revealed-210514180.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218233256/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/details-of-carrie-fishers-rise-of-skywalker-role-revealed-210514180.html |archive-date=December 18, 2019 |access-date=February 22, 2021 |publisher=Yahoo!}}

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|footer = Billy Dee Williams (left) and Ian McDiarmid (right) returned as Lando Calrissian and Emperor Palpatine, on-screen for the first time since Return of the Jedi (1983) and Revenge of the Sith (2005), respectively.{{cite web |url=https://theportalist.com/billy-dee-williams-lando-episode-ix |title=Billy Dee Williams to Return as Lando in Star Wars: Episode IX |website=The Portalist |last=Wild |first=Allison |date=July 10, 2018 |access-date=October 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181022153229/https://theportalist.com/billy-dee-williams-lando-episode-ix|archive-date=October 22, 2018|url-status=live}}}}

In July 2018, Keri Russell was in talks to play a part with some "action-heavy fight scenes",{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/star-wars-episode-ix-keri-russell-1202861343/ |title=Star Wars: Episode IX Eyes Keri Russell |last1=Kroll |first1=Justin |date=July 6, 2018 |work=Variety |access-date=July 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180706171844/https://variety.com/2018/film/news/star-wars-episode-ix-keri-russell-1202861343/ |archive-date=July 6, 2018 |url-status=live}} and it was confirmed that Billy Dee Williams would return as Lando Calrissian,{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/star-wars-billy-dee-williams-returning-as-lando-calrissian-xi-1125818 |title='Star Wars': Billy Dee Williams Reprising Role as Lando Calrissian |last=Kit |first=Borys |date=July 9, 2018 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710015137/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/star-wars-billy-dee-williams-returning-as-lando-calrissian-xi-1125818 |archive-date=July 10, 2018|url-status=live |access-date=July 9, 2018}} onscreen for the first time since 1983's Return of the Jedi — marking one of the longest intervals between portrayals of a character by the same actor in American film history.{{efn|Also tying this record is Denis Lawson as Wedge Antilles, though he only makes a cameo appearance in The Rise of Skywalker.}} At the end of July, Russell was confirmed to have been cast,{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2018/07/keri-russell-star-wars-episode-ix-deal-made-cast-1202435383/ |title=Keri Russell Is In 'Star Wars: Episode IX' After All |last=Hipes |first=Patrick |date=July 27, 2018 |work=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=July 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729085754/https://deadline.com/2018/07/keri-russell-star-wars-episode-ix-deal-made-cast-1202435383/ |archive-date=July 29, 2018 |url-status=live}} and there was an announcement of returning and additional new cast members. In late August, Deadline Hollywood announced that Dominic Monaghan and Matt Smith had been cast in unspecified roles;{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2018/08/star-wars-episode-ix-dominic-monaghan-jj-abrams-1202451972/ |title=Dominic Monaghan Re-Unites With JJ Abrams In Star Wars: Episode IX |last=Fleming |first=Mike Jr. |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=August 24, 2018 |access-date=August 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180824232418/https://deadline.com/2018/08/star-wars-episode-ix-dominic-monaghan-jj-abrams-1202451972/ |archive-date=August 24, 2018 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2018/08/star-wars-episode-ix-taps-doctor-who-alum-matt-smith-1202453611/ |title=Star Wars: Episode IX Taps 'Doctor Who' Alum Matt Smith |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |work=Deadline Hollywood |date=August 28, 2018 |access-date=August 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829035025/https://deadline.com/2018/08/star-wars-episode-ix-taps-doctor-who-alum-matt-smith-1202453611/ |archive-date=August 29, 2018 |url-status=live}} in 2019, Smith denied his involvement,{{cite web |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/us/movies/star-wars/279727/star-wars-episode-ix-matt-smith |title=Star Wars: Episode IX – Matt Smith Isn't in the Movie |date=March 7, 2019 |last1=Howard |first1=Kirsten |last2=Saavedra |first2=John |website=Den of Geek |access-date=March 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190308072055/https://www.denofgeek.com/us/movies/star-wars/279727/star-wars-episode-ix-matt-smith |archive-date=March 8, 2019 |url-status=live}}{{efn|In April 2019, Disney's British website listed Smith as being in the film,{{cite web |last=Cavanaugh |first=Patrick |title=International Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Site Seemingly Confirms Mystery Actor |url=https://comicbook.com/starwars/2019/04/30/star-wars-episode-9-the-rise-of-skywalker-cast-matt-smith/ |publisher=ComicBook.com |access-date=May 23, 2019 |date=April 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502051659/https://comicbook.com/starwars/2019/04/30/star-wars-episode-9-the-rise-of-skywalker-cast-matt-smith/ |archive-date=May 2, 2019 |url-status=live}} but removed his and Monaghan's name the following month.{{cite web |url=https://disney.co.uk/movies/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker |title=Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker – Trailer & Release Date | Disney UK |via=disney.co.uk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430071713/https://disney.co.uk/movies/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker |archive-date=April 30, 2019 |access-date=May 4, 2019}}}} but he later clarified that he had been in talks for an unrealized "transformative" part.{{cite news|last=Scribner|first=Herb|url=https://www.deseret.com/2021/11/4/22763876/matt-smith-rise-of-skywalker-role-star-wars-forever|title=Matt Smith Says His Rise of Skywalker Role Would Have Transformed Star Wars Forever|date=November 4, 2021|newspaper=Deseret News|access-date=June 15, 2022|archive-date=June 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615162020/https://www.deseret.com/2021/11/4/22763876/matt-smith-rise-of-skywalker-role-star-wars-forever|url-status=live}} Early rumors from Making Star Wars claimed Smith was set to portray a "dark side acolyte" who gets possessed by Palpatine.{{cite web|last=Ward|first=Jason|url=https://makingstarwars.net/2019/04/huge-rumor-about-how-the-final-duel-in-star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-plays-out/|title=Huge Rumor About How the Final Duel in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Plays Out!|date=May 7, 2019|website=Making Star Wars|access-date=June 15, 2022|archive-date=July 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713140224/https://makingstarwars.net/2019/04/huge-rumor-about-how-the-final-duel-in-star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-plays-out/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Outlaw|first=Kofi|url=https://comicbook.com/starwars/news/star-wars-9-rise-skywalker-rey-kylo-ren-palpatine-fight-spirit-posession-matt-smith/|title=Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Rumor May Reveal Final Battle Between Rey, Kylo Ren and Palpatine|date=May 7, 2019|website=Comic Book|access-date=June 15, 2022|archive-date=August 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816010636/https://comicbook.com/starwars/news/star-wars-9-rise-skywalker-rey-kylo-ren-palpatine-fight-spirit-posession-matt-smith/|url-status=live}} Greg Grunberg reprises his role as Temmin "Snap" Wexley.

At Star Wars Celebration in April 2019, it was revealed via the film's teaser trailer that Ian McDiarmid would return to portray Palpatine. Since the event was held after principal photography wrapped, Abrams was thrilled that news of McDiarmid on the set never leaked. Kathleen Kennedy said they decided to reveal Palpatine's return ahead of the film's release because of the characters playing a larger role in the story, having them differentiated from Grogu, the character from The Mandalorian.{{cite web |last=Bonomolo |first=Cameron |title=Lucasfilm Exec Kathleen Kennedy Explains Why Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Trailers Spoiled Major Reveals |url=https://comicbook.com/starwars/2019/12/14/why-star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-spoiled-reveals-palpatine-dark-rey-marketing-lucasfilm-kathleen-kennedy/ |publisher=ComicBook.com |access-date=January 5, 2020 |date=December 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217110349/https://comicbook.com/starwars/2019/12/14/why-star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-spoiled-reveals-palpatine-dark-rey-marketing-lucasfilm-kathleen-kennedy/ |archive-date=December 17, 2019 |url-status=live }} Abrams had initially considered Palpatine returning while developing The Force Awakens.{{cite web|last=Burks|first=Robin|url=https://screenrant.com/star-wars-9-palpatine-return-plan-force-awakens/|title=Palpatine's Star Wars 9 Return Was Mapped Out In The Force Awakens|date=November 26, 2019|website=Screen Rant|access-date=June 15, 2022|archive-date=June 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615162015/https://screenrant.com/star-wars-9-palpatine-return-plan-force-awakens/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Cavanaugh|first=Patrick|url=https://comicbook.com/starwars/news/star-wars-emperor-palpatine-return-the-rise-of-skywalker-force-awakens-explained/|title=Star Wars: J.J. Abrams Reportedly Wanted to Debut Palpatine in The Force Awakens With Cloning Backstory|date=February 29, 2020|website=Comic Book|access-date=June 15, 2022|archive-date=June 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615162019/https://comicbook.com/starwars/news/star-wars-emperor-palpatine-return-the-rise-of-skywalker-force-awakens-explained/|url-status=live}}

File:JOR-2017-Wadi Rum 02.jpg in Jordan served as the location for the desert planet Pasaana.]]

Principal photography began on August 1, 2018, at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire, England.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2018/07/star-wars-episode-ix-cast-carrie-fisher-naomi-ackie-billy-dee-williams-1202435346/ |title=Star Wars: Episode IX Rounds Out Cast, Which Will Include Carrie Fisher In Unreleased Footage |last=Hipes |first=Patrick |work=Deadline Hollywood |date=July 27, 2018 |access-date=July 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728215841/https://deadline.com/2018/07/star-wars-episode-ix-cast-carrie-fisher-naomi-ackie-billy-dee-williams-1202435346/ |archive-date=July 28, 2018 |url-status=live}} Filming also took place in Wadi Rum, Jordan.{{cite web |url=https://makingstarwars.net/2018/10/photos-of-wadi-rum-set-from-star-wars-episode-ix/ |title=Photos of Jordan's Wadi Rum set from Star Wars: Episode IX! |date=October 8, 2018 |website=MakingStarWars.net |access-date=December 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190118021659/https://makingstarwars.net/2018/10/photos-of-wadi-rum-set-from-star-wars-episode-ix/ |archive-date=January 18, 2019 |url-status=live}} Oscar Isaac stated that Abrams was allowing more improvised acting than in the previous two films.{{cite web |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2018/10/oscar-isaac-star-wars-episode-ix-break-at-eternitys-gate-1202011808/ |title=Oscar Isaac Is Taking the Year Off After Star Wars: Episode IX, So He's Passing on Everything |last=Kohn |first=Eric |date=October 12, 2018 |publisher=IndieWire |access-date=October 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181013024313/https://www.indiewire.com/2018/10/oscar-isaac-star-wars-episode-ix-break-at-eternitys-gate-1202011808/ |archive-date=October 13, 2018 |url-status=live}} Due to the tight schedule, some editing took place on set.{{cite web |last=Anderton |first=Ethan |title='Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' Was Edited on Set Despite Initial Objection by J.J. Abrams |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-was-edited-on-set-despite-initial-objection-by-j-j-abrams/ |website=/Film |access-date=June 15, 2019 |date=June 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616063511/https://www.slashfilm.com/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-was-edited-on-set-despite-initial-objection-by-j-j-abrams/ |archive-date=June 16, 2019 |url-status=live}} The crew on The Rise of Skywalker had three fewer months than they had to work on The Force Awakens leading to Maryann Brandon being sent in to cut on set a third of the way through production.{{cite web|last=Sharf|first=Zach|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2020/01/star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-editor-rushed-production-fan-service-1202199976/|title=Rise of Skywalker Editor Opens Up on Rushed Production, Agrees Film Is Fan Service|date=January 2, 2020|website=IndieWire|access-date=June 15, 2022|archive-date=June 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615162015/https://www.indiewire.com/2020/01/star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-editor-rushed-production-fan-service-1202199976/|url-status=live}} Scenes detailing Palpatine's return were altered and changed during production as they were felt to "go off topic".{{cite web|last=Bradley|first=Bill|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/star-wars-rise-of-skywalker_n_5e011966e4b05b08bab96b07|title=Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker Editor Reveals Answers To Major Mysteries|date=January 2, 2020|website=HuffPost|access-date=June 15, 2022|archive-date=June 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615162015/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/star-wars-rise-of-skywalker_n_5e011966e4b05b08bab96b07|url-status=live}} The kiss between Rey and Ben was initially going to be excluded from the film, until Abrams decided against it at the last minute.{{cite web|last=Scott|first=Ryan|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/873710/the-rey-and-kylo-ren-kiss-in-star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-almost-didnt-happen/|title=The Rey And Kylo Ren Kiss In Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker Almost Didn't Happen|date=May 24, 2022|website=Slash Film|access-date=June 15, 2022|archive-date=July 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703213010/https://www.slashfilm.com/873710/the-rey-and-kylo-ren-kiss-in-star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-almost-didnt-happen/|url-status=live}} Principal photography wrapped on February 15, 2019.{{cite web |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/episode-9-wraps/ |title='Star Wars: Episode 9' Has Wrapped Filming – See a New Image From the Set |last=Hall |first=Jacob |work=/Film |date=February 15, 2019 |access-date=February 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190215230850/https://www.slashfilm.com/episode-9-wraps/ |archive-date=February 15, 2019 |url-status=live}} Footage from the film was shown at The Walt Disney Company's annual shareholders meeting on March 7, 2019.{{cite web |url=https://comicbook.com/starwars/2019/03/07/star-wars-episode-9-footage-shown/ |title=Star Wars: Episode IX Footage Shown at Disney Shareholders Meeting |last=Cavanaugh |first=Patrick |date=March 7, 2019 |publisher=ComicBook.com |access-date=March 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190307203743/https://comicbook.com/starwars/2019/03/07/star-wars-episode-9-footage-shown/ |archive-date=March 7, 2019 |url-status=live}} Two weeks of reshoots took place at Pinewood involving Hamill, Ridley, and Isaac in July 2019.{{cite web|last=Chitwood|first=Adam|url=https://collider.com/rise-of-skywalker-reshoots-scenes/|title=These 3 Rise of Skywalker Scenes Were Added in Reshoots|date=January 7, 2020|publisher=Collider|access-date=August 8, 2020|archive-date=June 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617001229/https://collider.com/rise-of-skywalker-reshoots-scenes/|url-status=live}} Another round of reshoots took place at Bad Robot between late September and mid-October.{{cite web |last=Trivedi |first=Sachin |title='Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker' Reshoots And Trailer Update Revealed |url=https://www.ibtimes.com/star-wars-rise-skywalker-reshoots-trailer-update-revealed-2845377 |website=International Business Times |access-date=October 14, 2019 |date=October 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014085701/https://www.ibtimes.com/star-wars-rise-skywalker-reshoots-trailer-update-revealed-2845377 |archive-date=October 14, 2019 |url-status=live }} Abrams stated that the film had fewer reshoots and story adjustments than Episode VII.{{cite magazine|last=Hibberd|first=James|url=https://ew.com/movies/2019/11/19/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker/|title=Inside Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker: 'The Stakes are All or Nothing'|date=November 19, 2019|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=June 15, 2022|archive-date=June 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615162015/https://ew.com/movies/2019/11/19/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker/|url-status=live}}

The visual effects were created by Industrial Light & Magic and supervised by Roger Guyett.{{cite web |url=https://www.artofvfx.com/star-wars-episode-ix-the-rise-of-skywalker/ |title=Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker |website=The Art of VFX |access-date=May 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517082945/https://www.artofvfx.com/star-wars-episode-ix-the-rise-of-skywalker/|archive-date=May 17, 2019|url-status=live}} Last minute ADR was recorded with Adam Driver, in which he recorded his lines in a closet.{{cite web|last=Morrow|first=Brendan|url=https://theweek.com/news/1014405/author-james-patterson-apologizes-for-saying-white-male-writers-face-another-form-of|title=Adam Driver Apparently Recorded Some Last-Minute Rise of Skywalker Dialogue in His Closet|date=January 29, 2020|website=The Week|access-date=June 15, 2022|archive-date=June 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615134415/https://theweek.com/news/1014405/author-james-patterson-apologizes-for-saying-white-male-writers-face-another-form-of|url-status=live}} The film finished post-production on November 25, 2019. After John Boyega accidentally left a copy of the script in his hotel room, it was listed on eBay for around £65. A Disney employee identified the script as authentic and purchased it from the seller for an undisclosed sum.{{cite news |last1=McCarthy |first1=Kelly |title='Star Wars' director J.J. Abrams reveals how 'Rise of Skywalker' script wound up on eBay |url=https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/culture/story/star-wars-director-jj-abrams-reveals-rise-skywalker-67289571 |access-date=November 26, 2019 |work=Good Morning America |date=November 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191125165734/https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/culture/story/star-wars-director-jj-abrams-reveals-rise-skywalker-67289571 |archive-date=November 25, 2019 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Carras |first1=Chris |title=J.J. Abrams won't reveal which actor caused leak of 'Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker' script |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2019-11-25/star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-jj-abrams-script-leaked |access-date=November 26, 2019 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=November 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191125233537/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2019-11-25/star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-jj-abrams-script-leaked |archive-date=November 25, 2019 |url-status=live |url-access=limited }}{{cite news|url=https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/culture/story/star-wars-actor-john-boyega-admits-lost-script-67343446|title=Actor John Boyega admits 'Star Wars' script on eBay was his|last=McCarthy|first=Kelly|date=November 27, 2019|work=Good Morning America|access-date=December 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191130015404/https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/culture/story/star-wars-actor-john-boyega-admits-lost-script-67343446|archive-date=November 30, 2019|url-status=live}}

{{Main|Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (soundtrack)}}

In January 2018, it was confirmed that John Williams would return to compose and conduct The Rise of Skywalker.{{cite web |url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/john-williams-to-score-star-wars-episode-ix |title=John Williams Says He's Scoring Star Wars: Episode IX For J.J. Abrams |last=Weiss |first=Josh |publisher=Syfy Wire |date=January 10, 2018 |access-date=January 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111004704/http://www.syfy.com/syfywire/john-williams-to-score-star-wars-episode-ix |archive-date=January 11, 2018 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.flickeringmyth.com/2018/01/john-williams-will-returning-star-wars-episode-ix/ |title=John Williams will be returning for Star Wars: Episode IX |last=Jones |first=Jordan |work=Flickering Myth |date=January 11, 2018 |access-date=January 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402225935/https://www.flickeringmyth.com/2018/01/john-williams-will-returning-star-wars-episode-ix/ |archive-date=April 2, 2019 |url-status=live }} The next month, Williams announced that it would be the last Star Wars film for which he would compose the score (though he would later return to compose the theme music for the Disney+ miniseries Obi-Wan Kenobi). In August 2019, it was revealed that Williams had written about 35 of an expected 135 minutes of music for the film, which according to Williams' brother Don, would incorporate all of the major themes of the Skywalker saga.{{cite web |last=Barfield |first=Charles |title=John Williams Is Writing 135 Minutes Of Music For 'Rise Of Skywalker' & Will Feature EVERY 'Star Wars' Theme |url=https://theplaylist.net/john-williams-star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-themes-20190812/ |website=The Playlist |access-date=August 12, 2019 |date=August 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190813054652/https://theplaylist.net/john-williams-star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-themes-20190812/ |archive-date=August 13, 2019 |url-status=live}} Scoring began in July 2019 with Williams and William Ross conducting and orchestrating the sessions over the course of six months.{{cite web |last1=Anderson |first1=Jenna |title=John Williams Reportedly Beginning Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Score Next Month |url=https://comicbook.com/starwars/2019/05/21/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-spoilers-score-john-williams-episode-9/ |publisher=ComicBook.com |access-date=December 19, 2019 |date=May 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219045407/https://comicbook.com/starwars/2019/05/21/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-spoilers-score-john-williams-episode-9/ |archive-date=December 19, 2019 |url-status=live }} The official soundtrack album was released by Walt Disney Records on December 20, 2019.{{cite web|first=Abrar|last=Al-Heeti|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/disney-releases-star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-soundtrack-early-then-takes-it-down/|title=Disney releases Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker soundtrack early (then removes it)|date=December 10, 2019|publisher=CNET|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210222221341/https://www.cnet.com/news/disney-releases-star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-soundtrack-early-then-takes-it-down/|archive-date=February 22, 2021|access-date=February 22, 2021}}

Despite staying silent about many details of the film, Abrams expressed his hopes that fans and general audiences would be "satisfied".{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/02/23/star-wars-jj-abrams-on-whether-episode-9-was-affected-by-the-last-jedi-response |title=Star Wars: J.J. Abrams on Whether Episode 9 Was Affected by The Last Jedi Response |last=Osborn |first=Alex |date=February 22, 2019 |website=IGN |access-date=February 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190223035649/https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/02/23/star-wars-jj-abrams-on-whether-episode-9-was-affected-by-the-last-jedi-response |archive-date=February 23, 2019 |url-status=live}} He headed a panel dedicated to the film on April 12, 2019, during Star Wars Celebration in Chicago,{{cite web |last1=Cooper |first1=Gael Fashinbauer |title=Star Wars Episode 9 trailer and title could be hitting April 12 |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/star-wars-episode-9-trailer-and-title-could-be-hitting-april-12/ |publisher=CNET |date=March 13, 2019 |access-date=April 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404025943/https://www.cnet.com/news/star-wars-episode-9-trailer-and-title-could-be-hitting-april-12/ |archive-date=April 4, 2019 |url-status=live}} where the film's title was revealed.

Additionally, the story events of the Disneyland themed area Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge precede the film, including the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run motion simulator, which features Chewbacca.{{cite web |last=Prudom |first=Laura |title=The Story of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge Takes Place After The Last Jedi (For Now) |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/06/01/star-wars-land-galaxys-edge-movies-timeline-take-place-after-last-jedi-before-rise-of-skywalker |website=IGN |access-date=June 1, 2019 |date=June 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190601203700/https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/06/01/star-wars-land-galaxys-edge-movies-timeline-take-place-after-last-jedi-before-rise-of-skywalker |archive-date=June 1, 2019 |url-status=live}} On August 24, a new poster and "sizzle reel" was released at D23;{{cite magazine |last=Hibberd |first=James |title=Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker reveals poster, epic new footage at D23 |url=https://ew.com/movies/2019/08/24/star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-d23-poster/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=August 24, 2019 |date=August 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824200949/https://ew.com/movies/2019/08/24/star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-d23-poster/ |archive-date=August 24, 2019 |url-status=live}} the latter was released to the public two days later. The footage includes a montage of the Skywalker saga so far, as well as several new shots from the film.{{cite web |last=Hipes |first=Patrick |title='Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker' Showdown Glimpsed In D23 Sizzle Reel – Watch |url=https://deadline.com/video/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-first-look-sizzle-reel-rey-kylo-ren-showdown/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=August 26, 2019 |date=August 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190827003127/https://deadline.com/video/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-first-look-sizzle-reel-rey-kylo-ren-showdown/ |archive-date=August 27, 2019 |url-status=live}}

A publishing campaign titled "Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" was announced on May 4, 2019. It includes the novel Resistance Reborn, set between The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker, the young-adult novel Force Collector, the Middle Grade novel Spark of the Resistance, and various other titles.{{cite web |title=Lucasfilm Unveils Complete 'Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' Publishing Program – Exclusive |url=https://www.starwars.com/news/journey-to-star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-publishing-program |publisher=StarWars.com |access-date=May 6, 2019 |date=May 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190505173552/https://www.starwars.com/news/journey-to-star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-publishing-program |archive-date=May 5, 2019 |url-status=live}} From December 18, 2019, to March 11, 2020, a prequel graphic novel titled The Rise of Kylo Ren, telling the story of how Ben Solo became Kylo Ren and elaborating upon the character's backstory, was published by Marvel Comics, written by Charles Soule and illustrated by Will Sliney.{{cite web |last=Kleinman |first=Jake |title=Lucasfilm reveals the one comic you need to read before 'Rise of Skywalker' |url=https://www.inverse.com/article/59886-star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-spoilers-kylo-comic-book |website=Inverse |access-date=October 12, 2019 |date=October 6, 2019 |archive-date=October 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191012072943/https://www.inverse.com/article/59886-star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-spoilers-kylo-comic-book |url-status=live }}

The official novelization of The Rise of Skywalker is by Rae Carson; hardcover and audiobook versions were released on March 19, 2020. The novel details Palpatine's return in more depth: He transferred his consciousness into a clone body following his death in Return of the Jedi, and his "son", Rey's father, was a failed clone of Palpatine.{{cite web |last=Bacon |first=Thomas |title=Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Book Confirms Palpatine Was A Clone! |url=https://screenrant.com/star-wars-palpatine-clone-rise-skywalker-confirm-novel/ |website=Screen Rant |access-date=February 29, 2020 |date=February 29, 2020 |archive-date=March 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200301074906/https://screenrant.com/star-wars-palpatine-clone-rise-skywalker-confirm-novel/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Fraser |first=Kevin |title=Rise of Skywalker novel explains how the Emperor survived Return of the Jedi |url=https://www.joblo.com/movie-news/rise-of-skywalker-novel-explains-how-the-emperor-survived-return-of-the-jedi |publisher=JoBlo.com |access-date=March 4, 2020 |date=March 4, 2020 |archive-date=June 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615075036/https://www.joblo.com/movie-news/rise-of-skywalker-novel-explains-how-the-emperor-survived-return-of-the-jedi |url-status=live }} The junior novel and corresponding audiobook are by Michael Kogge and was released on April 21, 2020. A five-issue Marvel Comics adaptation written by Jody Houser and illustrated by Will Sliney was planned to debut in mid-2020,{{Cite web|date=February 20, 2020|title='Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' Gets the Marvel Comics Treatment This June|url=https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-gets-the-marvel-comics-treatment-this-june|access-date=July 28, 2020|publisher=Marvel.com|archive-date=July 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728075129/https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-gets-the-marvel-comics-treatment-this-june|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Cavanaugh|first=Patrick|date=July 29, 2020|title=Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Comic Artist Seemingly Shoots Down Cancellation Rumors|url=https://comicbook.com/comics/news/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-comic-book-adaptation-marvel-details-update/|access-date=October 9, 2020|publisher=ComicBook.com|language=en|archive-date=October 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011053024/https://comicbook.com/comics/news/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-comic-book-adaptation-marvel-details-update/|url-status=live}} but this was later cancelled, making the film the first in the franchise not to receive a serialized comic adaptation.{{Cite web|last=Jennings|first=Collier|date=2020-11-28|title=Marvel Cancels Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker Adaptation, Morbius and More|url=https://www.cbr.com/marvel-cancels-rise-skywalker-adaptation-morbius/|access-date=2020-11-29|publisher=Comic Book Resources|archive-date=November 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129121520/https://www.cbr.com/marvel-cancels-rise-skywalker-adaptation-morbius/|url-status=live}} However, the comic has finally been scheduled for release in February 2025.{{Cite web|date=2024-11-20|title='Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' Gets Its Long-Awaited Marvel Comics Adaptation|url=https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-marvel-comics-adaptation|access-date=29 January 2025|publisher=Marvel Comics}} A separate graphic novel adaptation was released by IDW Publishing in 2021.{{Cite web|last=Jones|first=Benton|date=2021-03-30|title=REVIEW: Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Graphic Novel Gives the Blockbuster Finale a New Look|url=https://www.cbr.com/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-graphic-novel-review/|access-date=2021-10-08|website=Comic Book Resources|language=en-US|archive-date=October 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009123833/https://www.cbr.com/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-graphic-novel-review/|url-status=live}}

A story arc of 2020's Darth Vader comic ties into The Rise of Skywalker, utilizing a creature cut from the film as well as Ochi.{{Cite web|last=Bradley|first=Ryan|date=2020-11-12|title=Star Wars: Darth Vader Met Rise of Skywalker's CREEPIEST Unused Monster|url=https://www.cbr.com/star-wars-darth-vader-met-rise-of-skywalkers-creepiest-unused-monster/|access-date=2021-10-08|website=Comic Book Resources|language=en-US|archive-date=October 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008073318/https://www.cbr.com/star-wars-darth-vader-met-rise-of-skywalkers-creepiest-unused-monster/|url-status=live}} Further, a novel titled Shadow of the Sith, released mid-2022, explores the backstory of Luke and Lando as they investigate the dead world of Exegol.{{Cite web|last=Marshall|first=Cass|date=2021-10-07|title=An upcoming Star Wars book will include additional backstory for Rise of Skywalker|url=https://www.polygon.com/star-wars/22715115/star-wars-upcoming-novels-jedi-sith-brotherhood-shadow-of-the-sith-padawan|access-date=2021-10-08|website=Polygon|language=en-US|archive-date=October 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008073318/https://www.polygon.com/star-wars/22715115/star-wars-upcoming-novels-jedi-sith-brotherhood-shadow-of-the-sith-padawan|url-status=live}}

The video game Star Wars Battlefront II (2017) released a free level set on Ajan Kloss.{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/12/23/star-wars-battlefront-2-sith-trooper-ajan-kloss-bb-8-and-more-community-update-trailer|title=Star Wars Battlefront 2 – Sith Trooper, Ajan Kloss, BB-8, and More: Community Update Trailer|website=IGN|date=December 23, 2019|access-date=February 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210222132312/https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/12/23/star-wars-battlefront-2-sith-trooper-ajan-kloss-bb-8-and-more-community-update-trailer|archive-date=February 22, 2021|url-status=live}} In December 2019, the video game Fortnite Battle Royale released several cosmetics featuring character outfits for Rey, Finn, a Sith Trooper, Kylo Ren, and Zorii Bliss along with a TIE Fighter glider, a Millennium Falcon glider (which was given to players for free from the Winterfest Event), four emotes, and two free banners.{{cite news |last1=Statt |first1=Nick |title=Fortnite Released Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Rey, Finn, and Sith Trooper Skins to Buy Now |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/12/12/21019726/fortnite-star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-rey-finn-sith-trooper-skins-buy-now |access-date=December 13, 2019 |work=The Verge |date=December 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213011925/https://www.theverge.com/2019/12/12/21019726/fortnite-star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-rey-finn-sith-trooper-skins-buy-now |archive-date=December 13, 2019 |url-status=live }} On December 14, Fortnite{{'s}} publisher Epic Games released a preview of the film on an in-game theater screen as a live event.{{cite news |last1=Statt |first1=Nick |title=How to watch Fortnite's exclusive Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker clip this Saturday |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/12/13/21020843/fortnite-star-wars-the-rise-of-sykwalker-clip-exclusive-premiere-risky-reels |access-date=December 13, 2019 |work=The Verge |date=December 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213213123/https://www.theverge.com/2019/12/13/21020843/fortnite-star-wars-the-rise-of-sykwalker-clip-exclusive-premiere-risky-reels |archive-date=December 13, 2019 |url-status=live }} At the end of the event, a message from Palpatine (the one mentioned in the film's opening crawl) was heard.{{cite web |last=Good |first=Owen S. |title=The Rise of Skywalker's opening crawl references an event you could only hear in Fortnite |url=https://www.polygon.com/fortnite/2019/12/20/21031513/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-fortnite-opening-crawl-palpatines-message |website=Polygon |access-date=December 21, 2019 |date=December 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220195907/https://www.polygon.com/fortnite/2019/12/20/21031513/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-fortnite-opening-crawl-palpatines-message |archive-date=December 20, 2019 |url-status=live }} To coincide with the release of the film, a trailer for the forthcoming video game, Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga was released on the same day.{{Cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/lego-star-wars-skywalker-saga-trailer/|title=Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga Reimagines All 9 Episodes|last=Little|first=Riley|date=December 20, 2019|website=Screen Rant|access-date=December 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221133002/https://screenrant.com/lego-star-wars-skywalker-saga-trailer/|archive-date=December 21, 2019|url-status=live}}

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker was originally planned to be released in the United States on May 24, 2019, before being pushed back to December 20 swapping release dates with Aladdin {{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/9/12/16297442/star-wars-episode-ix-release-date-december-2019|title=Star Wars: Episode IX will premiere in December 2019|last=Plaugic|first=Lizzie|website=The Verge|date=September 12, 2017|access-date=February 5, 2021|archive-date=February 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205231455/https://www.theverge.com/2017/9/12/16297442/star-wars-episode-ix-release-date-december-2019|url-status=live}} It had its world premiere at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, on December 16.{{Cite web |last1=Couch |first1=Aaron |last2=Parker |first2=Ryan |date=December 16, 2019 |title=Bob Iger, J.J. Abrams Reflect on 'Bittersweet' Close to Skywalker Saga at Star Wars Premiere |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/star-wars-rise-skywalker-premiere-stars-reflect-bittersweet-ending-1262952/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517154005/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/star-wars-rise-skywalker-premiere-stars-reflect-bittersweet-ending-1262952/ |archive-date=May 17, 2022 |access-date=September 30, 2023 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}} Unlike most studio films, Disney reportedly did not hold test screenings for The Rise of Skywalker, instead only showing it to Abrams' friends and family, as well as a terminally-ill fan.{{cite web |last=Libbey |first=Dirk |title=Surprise, Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker Didn't Have Any Test Screenings |url=https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2485858/surprise-star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-didnt-have-any-test-screenings |website=CinemaBlend |access-date=December 2, 2019 |date=December 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191203045627/https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2485858/surprise-star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-didnt-have-any-test-screenings |archive-date=December 3, 2019 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Sharf |first=Zack |title=Disney Screens 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' Three Weeks Early for Dying Fan |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2019/12/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-screens-early-dying-fan-1202193518/ |publisher=IndieWire |access-date=December 17, 2019 |archive-date=December 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191203143521/https://www.indiewire.com/2019/12/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-screens-early-dying-fan-1202193518/ |url-status=live |date=December 2, 2019 }} Before the film's release, Disney issued a warning that the scenes with strobe-like flashing lights may trigger photosensitive migraines and seizures.{{cite web |last=McNary |first=Dave |author-link=Dave McNary |title='Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' Flashing Lights Could Pose Seizure Risk, Disney Warns |url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-seizure-risk-flashing-lights-1203427472/ |website=Variety |access-date=March 20, 2020 |date=December 6, 2019 |archive-date=April 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406174751/https://variety.com/2019/film/news/star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-seizure-risk-flashing-lights-1203427472/ |url-status=live }}

The Rise of Skywalker was scheduled to be released on Digital HD on March 17, 2020, but was released four days early in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web |last=Lawler |first=Richard |title='Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' is available on digital a few days early |url=https://www.engadget.com/2020/03/13/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-early-vod/ |publisher=Engadget |access-date=March 14, 2020 |date=March 13, 2020 |archive-date=March 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200314081114/https://www.engadget.com/2020/03/13/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-early-vod/ |url-status=live }} Its DVD, Blu-ray, and 4K Ultra HD release followed on March 31 by Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.{{Cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/movies/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-released-home-video/|title=Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker released early on digital home video|last=Hibberd|first=James|date=March 14, 2020|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=February 20, 2021|archive-date=February 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210220154334/https://ew.com/movies/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-released-home-video/|url-status=live}} The 4K version of the film was also released in "The Skywalker Saga" Ultra HD Blu-ray box set that same date.{{Cite web|url=https://mashable.com/shopping/may-4-star-wars-skywalker-saga-blu-ray-set/|title=The entire Star Wars Skywalker Saga 4K Blu-ray set is $50 off|date=May 4, 2020|publisher=Mashable|last=Stodart|first=Leah|access-date=January 29, 2021|archive-date=January 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129235205/https://mashable.com/shopping/may-4-star-wars-skywalker-saga-blu-ray-set/|url-status=live}} It was released on Disney+ on May 4, which is reportedly two months ahead of its previously scheduled release date.{{cite news |last1=France |first1=Lisa Respers |title=Disney + to stream 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' early |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/27/entertainment/star-wars-skywalker-stream/index.html |access-date=April 28, 2020 |publisher=CNN |date=April 27, 2020 |archive-date=April 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200428214353/https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/27/entertainment/star-wars-skywalker-stream/index.html |url-status=live}}

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The Rise of Skywalker grossed $515.2 million in the United States and Canada, and $561.8 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $1.077 billion, making it the seventh highest-grossing film of 2019.{{Cite web |title=2019 Worldwide Box Office |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/world/2019/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200425204010/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/world/2019/ |archive-date=April 25, 2020 |access-date=August 18, 2023 |website=Box Office Mojo}} Deadline Hollywood calculated the net profit of the film to be $300{{nbsp}}million, when factoring together all expenses and revenues.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2020/04/star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-movie-profit-2019-lowest-for-lucasfilm-1202915179/|title='Star Wars: Rise Of Skywalker' Lowest Profit Of Disney Trilogy Titles: No. 9 On Deadline's 2019 Most Valuable Blockbuster Tournament|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=April 22, 2020|access-date=April 22, 2020|archive-date=April 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424132647/https://deadline.com/2020/04/star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-movie-profit-2019-lowest-for-lucasfilm-1202915179/|url-status=live}}

Pre-sale tickets went on sale on October 21, 2019, and the film sold more tickets in their first hour of availability on Atom Tickets than the previous record-holder for ticket sales, Avengers: Endgame (2019). It became Atom Tickets' second-best first-day seller of all time behind Endgame, selling more than twice the number of tickets as The Last Jedi sold in that same timeframe, while Fandango reported it outsold all previous Star Wars films.{{cite news |last1=Painter |first1=Ryan |title=Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker final trailer, tickets now on sale |url=https://kutv.com/news/entertainment/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-final-trailer-tickets-now-on-sale |publisher=KUTV |date=October 21, 2019 |access-date=October 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022024748/https://kutv.com/news/entertainment/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-final-trailer-tickets-now-on-sale |archive-date=October 22, 2019 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1= D'Alessandro |first1= Anthony |title= 'The Rise Of Skywalker': Advance Ticket Sales More Than Other 'Star Wars' Pics On Fandango – Update |url=https://deadline.com/2019/10/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-first-day-pre-sales-2nd-best-for-atom-tickets-1202766729/ |work= Deadline Hollywood |date= October 23, 2019 |access-date= October 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023023637/https://deadline.com/2019/10/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-first-day-pre-sales-2nd-best-for-atom-tickets-1202766729/ |archive-date= October 23, 2019 |url-status= live }} Box office tracking had The Rise of Skywalker grossing around $205 million in its opening weekend, though some firms predicted a debut closer to $175 million.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2019/12/star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-little-women-spies-in-disguise-uncut-gems-1202801742/ |title=How 'Spies In Disguise', 'Little Women' & 'Uncut Gems' Are Shaping Up At Christmas B.O.; 'Rise Of Skywalker' Opening Still Around $200M |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |work=Deadline Hollywood |date=December 5, 2019 |access-date=December 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191206004103/https://deadline.com/2019/12/star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-little-women-spies-in-disguise-uncut-gems-1202801742/ |archive-date=December 6, 2019 |url-status=live }} The film made $89.6 million on its first day, including $40 million from Thursday night previews, the sixth-highest opening day of all time.{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/chart/top_opening_day/?ref_=bo_csd_ac|title=Top Grossing Opening Days|publisher=Box Office Mojo|date=December 23, 2019|access-date=December 24, 2019|archive-date=December 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201234555/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/chart/top_opening_day/?ref_=bo_csd_ac|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/stars-wars-rise-skywalker-friday-box-office-hits-90m-cats-declawed-1264679|title=Box Office: 'Star Wars' Soars to $90M Friday, 'Cats' Declawed|last=McClintock|first=Pamela|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=December 21, 2019|access-date=December 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221165951/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/stars-wars-rise-skywalker-friday-box-office-hits-90m-cats-declawed-1264679|archive-date=December 21, 2019|url-status=live}} It went on to debut to $177.4 million, which was the third-highest opening ever for a December release and the 12th-best of all time, and it was also noted that Saturday (which saw a 47% drop from Friday's gross) was the busiest shopping day of the year, likely affecting ticket sales.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2019/12/star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-opening-weekend-box-office-cats-bombshell-1202814594/ |title='Star Wars: Rise Of Skywalker' Lowers Lightsaber To $177M+, Still 3rd Best December Opening – Monday AM Update |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |work=Deadline Hollywood |date=December 22, 2019 |access-date=December 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221165400/https://deadline.com/2019/12/star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-opening-weekend-box-office-cats-bombshell-1202814594/ |archive-date=December 21, 2019 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2019/film/box-office/box-office-star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-opening-weekend-cats-bombs-1203450541/ |title=Box Office: 'Rise of Skywalker' Soars to $176 Million, 'Cats' Bombs |last=Rubin |first=Rebecca |work=Variety |date=December 22, 2019 |access-date=December 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222164449/https://variety.com/2019/film/box-office/box-office-star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-opening-weekend-cats-bombs-1203450541/ |archive-date=December 22, 2019 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2019W51/?ref_=bo_wey_table_1|title=Domestic 2019 Weekend 51|publisher=Box Office Mojo|access-date=December 23, 2019|archive-date=December 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201234606/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2019W51/?ref_=bo_wey_table_1|url-status=live}} However, Deadline Hollywood did write that "we can't ignore the less than platinum B+" audience exit scores, which could affect the film's legs (box office longevity) moving forward. The film made $32 million on Christmas Day, the second-best total ever for the holiday after The Force Awakens{{'}} $49.3 million in 2015.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2019/12/star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-christmas-box-office-little-women-spies-in-disguise-1202816735/ |title='Rise Of Skywalker' Rings Up Second Best Christmas Ever With $32M+; 'Little Women' $6M+; 'Spies In Disguise' Near $5M |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |work=Deadline Hollywood |date=December 26, 2019 |access-date=December 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191226005009/https://deadline.com/2019/12/star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-christmas-box-office-little-women-spies-in-disguise-1202816735/ |archive-date=December 26, 2019 |url-status=live }} It went on to have a five-day total of $138.8 million, including $76 million for the weekend.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2019/12/star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-little-women-uncut-gems-spies-in-disguise-post-christmas-box-office-1202817539/ |title=' Star Wars: Rise Of Skywalker' Counts $362M Through 10 Days, -2% Behind 'Last Jedi'; 'Little Women' All Grown Up With $29M 5-Day |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |work=Deadline Hollywood |date=December 28, 2019 |access-date=December 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229033102/https://deadline.com/2019/12/star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-little-women-uncut-gems-spies-in-disguise-post-christmas-box-office-1202817539/ |archive-date=December 29, 2019 |url-status=live }} In its third weekend the film made $34.5 million, remaining in first,{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2020/01/star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-the-grudge-uncut-gems-weekend-box-office-2020-1202820066/|title='Star Wars: Rise Of Skywalker' Dips To $34M+ Third Weekend; 'Grudge' Doesn't Scream With $11M+ & 'F' CinemaScore|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=January 5, 2020|access-date=January 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200105014442/https://deadline.com/2020/01/star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-the-grudge-uncut-gems-weekend-box-office-2020-1202820066/|archive-date=January 5, 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-earns-34-million-third-no-1-at-box-office/|title='Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' Earns $34 Million in 3rd Week at No. 1 at Box Office|last=Fuster|first=Jeremy|work=TheWrap|date=January 5, 2020|access-date=January 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200105185800/https://www.thewrap.com/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-earns-34-million-third-no-1-at-box-office/|archive-date=January 5, 2020|url-status=live}} before being dethroned in its fourth weekend by newcomer 1917 (2019).{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2020/01/box-office-1917-star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-like-a-boss-1202826743/ |title='1917' Strong With $36M+, But 'Like A Boss' & 'Just Mercy' Fighting Over 4th With $10M; Why Kristen Stewart's 'Underwater' Went Kerplunk With $6M+ |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |work=Deadline Hollywood |date=January 12, 2020 |access-date=January 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112062751/https://deadline.com/2020/01/box-office-1917-star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-like-a-boss-1202826743/ |archive-date=January 12, 2020 |url-status=live }} On January 14, 2020, the film crossed the $1 billion mark at the box office, becoming Disney's seventh film of 2019 to do so.{{Cite web |last=Whitten |first=Sarah |date=2020-01-15 |title='Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' tops $1 billion at the global box office |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/01/15/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-tops-1-billion-at-box-office.html |access-date=2022-06-29 |website=CNBC |language=en |archive-date=June 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220629230415/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/01/15/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-tops-1-billion-at-box-office.html |url-status=live }} At the end of its box office run, it was third highest-grossing film of 2019 in this region behind Avengers: Endgame and The Lion King.{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/2019/|title=Domestic Box Office For 2019|website=Box Office Mojo|publisher=IMDb|access-date=January 7, 2023|archive-date=December 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221220022235/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/2019/|url-status=live}}

Worldwide the film was projected to gross around $450 million in its opening weekend, including $250 million from 52 international territories.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/12/star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-global-opening-box-office-1202810995/|title='Star Wars: Rise Of Skywalker' Eyes $450M+ Global Debut: The Last Huge Event Opening At The B.O. Until 2021?|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=December 17, 2019|access-date=December 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218221539/https://deadline.com/2019/12/star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-global-opening-box-office-1202810995/|archive-date=December 18, 2019|url-status=live}} It made $59.1 million from its first day of international release in 46 countries. The biggest markets were the United Kingdom ($8.3 million), Germany ($7.2 million), France ($5.3 million), and Australia ($4.3 million). In China, the film made $1.6 million (RMB11.6 million) through its first day.{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/china-box-office-star-wars-rise-skywalker-beaten-by-local-films-1264388 |title= China Box Office: 'Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker' Crashing and Burning, Beaten by Local Blockbusters |last= Brzeski |first= Patrick |work= The Hollywood Reporter |date= December 20, 2019 |access-date= December 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220122443/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/china-box-office-star-wars-rise-skywalker-beaten-by-local-films-1264388 |archive-date= December 20, 2019 |url-status= live }} It went on to open to $198 million from overseas countries and $373.5 million worldwide, coming in below projections and 47% lower than The Last Jedi{{'}}s total. Its biggest opening totals remained the UK ($26.8 million), Germany ($21.8 million), France ($15.2 million), Japan ($14.6 million), Australia ($12.6 million), and China ($12.1 million).{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2019/12/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-opening-weekend-china-global-international-box-office-1202814799/ |title='Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker' Awakens With $198M Overseas, $374M Global; 'Jumanji' Tops $300M WW – International Box Office |work=Deadline Hollywood |last=Tartaglione |first=Nancy |date=December 22, 2019 |access-date=December 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222171842/https://deadline.com/2019/12/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-opening-weekend-china-global-international-box-office-1202814799/ |archive-date=December 22, 2019 |url-status=live }}

{{Over-quotation|section|both=y|date=September 2023}}

The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported an approval rating of {{RT data|score}} with an average score of {{RT data|average}}, based on {{RT data|count}} reviews. The website's critical consensus reads, "The Rise of Skywalker suffers from a frustrating lack of imagination, but concludes this beloved saga with fan-focused devotion."{{cite Rotten Tomatoes|id={{RT data|rtid|noprefix=y}}|title=Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker|type=m|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218234151/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/star_wars_the_rise_of_skywalker/|archive-date=December 18, 2019|access-date={{RT data|access date}}}} Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 53 out of 100 based on 61 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".{{cite Metacritic|id=star-wars-episode-ix---the-rise-of-skywalker|type=movie|title=Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker|access-date=December 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218122420/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/star-wars-episode-ix---the-rise-of-skywalker|archive-date=December 18, 2019|url-status=live}} As such, The Rise of Skywalker holds the lowest approval rating among the nine main movies of the three Star Wars trilogies, both on Metacritic and on Rotten Tomatoes.

Richard Roeper, reviewing for the Chicago Sun-Times, gave the film three stars out of four, writing that it "rarely comes close to touching greatness, but it's a solid, visually dazzling and warmhearted victory [for] quality filmmaking."{{cite web|last=Roeper|first=Richard|author-link=Richard Roeper|url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/2019/12/18/21026951/star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-review-ix-richard-roeper-jj-abrams-rey-kylo-ren-lando-calrissian-leia|title='Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' displays the good (not great) side of the Force|work=Chicago Sun-Times|date=December 18, 2019|access-date=December 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219044946/https://chicago.suntimes.com/2019/12/18/21026951/star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-review-ix-richard-roeper-jj-abrams-rey-kylo-ren-lando-calrissian-leia|archive-date=December 19, 2019|url-status=live}} The A.V. Club{{'}}s A. A. Dowd gave the film a C+, stating that the film "is so freighted with obligation that it almost groans under the weight, flashing a weak smile as it vaguely approximates the appearance of a zippy good time."{{Cite web |url=https://www.avclub.com/the-rise-of-skywalker-rebalances-star-wars-into-a-force-1840501611 |title=The Rise of Skywalker Rebalances Star Wars into a Force of Safe, Familiar Fan Service |last=Dowd |first=A. A. |date=December 18, 2019 |access-date=December 18, 2019 |website=The A.V. Club |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218105533/https://film.avclub.com/the-rise-of-skywalker-rebalances-star-wars-into-a-force-1840501611 |archive-date=December 18, 2019 |url-status=live }} Michael Phillips for Chicago Tribune wrote that the film "does the job. It wraps up the trio of trilogies begun in 1977 in a confident, soothingly predictable way, doing all that is cinematically possible to avoid [upsetting the] tradition-minded quadrants of the Star Wars fan base."{{cite web|last=Phillips|first=Michael|author-link=Michael Phillips (critic)|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/movies/michael-phillips/ct-star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-review-20191218-rvahqprn4zbjvc7s7bgpxo6z34-story.html|title='Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' review: The space saga straightens up and flies right, more or less|work=The Chicago Tribune|date=December 18, 2019|access-date=December 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219020023/https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/movies/michael-phillips/ct-star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-review-20191218-rvahqprn4zbjvc7s7bgpxo6z34-story.html|archive-date=December 19, 2019|url-status=live}}

Mick LaSalle of the San Francisco Chronicle described the film as "a disappointment" and wrote, "For all the movie's faults, it's likely that most people will consider The Rise of Skywalker and accept the trade: Sit through a so-so 110 minutes to get to a strong half hour."{{cite web|last=LaSalle|first=Mick|author-link=Mick LaSalle|url=https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/movies-tv/review-the-rise-of-skywalker-has-problems-but-its-a-fitting-ending-to-the-saga|title=Review: 'The Rise of Skywalker' has problems, but it's a fitting ending to the saga|work=San Francisco Chronicle|date=December 18, 2019|access-date=December 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218210308/https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/movies-tv/review-the-rise-of-skywalker-has-problems-but-its-a-fitting-ending-to-the-saga|archive-date=December 18, 2019|url-status=live}} Owen Gleiberman of Variety called the film "the most elegant, emotionally rounded, and gratifying Star Wars adventure since the glory days of Star Wars (1977) and The Empire Strikes Back (1980) ... but given the last eight films, the bar isn't that high."{{cite web|last=Gleiberman|first=Owen|author-link=Owen Gleiberman|url=https://variety.com/2019/film/reviews/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-review-daisy-ridley-adam-driver-jj-abrams-1203445811/|title='Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker': Film Review|work=Variety|date=December 18, 2019|access-date=December 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218164256/https://variety.com/2019/film/reviews/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-review-daisy-ridley-adam-driver-jj-abrams-1203445811/|archive-date=December 18, 2019|url-status=live}} The BBC's Nicholas Barber praised the film's acting and wrote, "The Rise of Skywalker has been lovingly crafted by a host of talented people, and yet the best they can do is pay tribute to everything [George Lucas] did several decades ago."{{Cite web |url=http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20191218-film-review-star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker |last=Barber |first=Nicholas |publisher=BBC |date=December 18, 2019 |access-date=December 18, 2019 |title=Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218093928/http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20191218-film-review-star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker |archive-date=December 18, 2019 |url-status=live }}

Scott Mendelson for Forbes described the film as "possibly worse" compared to the previous Skywalker saga films while ending the main saga and "denying this new trilogy its artistic reason for existence". He also criticized the film for retconning The Last Jedi and for its conventional plot twists, writing that the film is full of "patronizing reversals in the name of mollifying the fans who merely want to be reminded of the first three movies."{{cite web|last=Mendelson|first=Scott|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2019/12/18/review-disney-and-lucasfilms-star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-is-a-terrible-end-to-the-skywalker-saga/#67492f56113c|title=Review: 'Rise Of Skywalker' Is The Worst 'Star Wars' Movie Ever|work=Forbes|date=December 18, 2019|access-date=December 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219011844/https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2019/12/18/review-disney-and-lucasfilms-star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-is-a-terrible-end-to-the-skywalker-saga/#67492f56113c|archive-date=December 19, 2019|url-status=live|url-access=limited}} Justin Chang of the Los Angeles Times described the film as "a Last Jedi corrective", which is "the more accurate way to describe it" and represents "an epic failure of nerve". He further wrote it "feels more like a retreat, a return to a zone of emotional and thematic safety from a filmmaker with a gift for packaging nostalgia as subversion."{{cite web|last=Chang|first=Justin|author-link=Justin Chang|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2019-12-18/star-wars-review-the-rise-of-skywalker-last-jedi|title=Review: 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' is here to remind you just how good 'The Last Jedi' was|work=Los Angeles Times|date=December 18, 2019|access-date=December 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219012125/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2019-12-18/star-wars-review-the-rise-of-skywalker-last-jedi|archive-date=December 19, 2019|url-status=live|url-access=limited}} Writing for The New Yorker, Richard Brody wrote that the film's faults "are those of the franchise over all", as the film's director "J. J. Abrams is mainly a distiller and a magnifier and brings virtually no originality to it". Brody said that it would have been better if a "boldly imaginative vulgarian such as Michael Bay" had instead created a "derisive wreckage" of Star Wars.{{cite magazine|last=Brody|first=Richard|author-link=Richard Brody|url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-front-row/the-robotic-familiarity-of-star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker|title=The Robotic Familiarity of 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker'|magazine=The New Yorker|date=December 19, 2019|access-date=December 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220233352/https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-front-row/the-robotic-familiarity-of-star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker|archive-date=December 20, 2019|url-status=live|url-access=limited}} Brian Tallerico of RogerEbert.com criticized the film, giving it 2.5/4 stars, faulting it for "Terrible dialogue, disinterested performances, and an unconvincing, phony CGI aesthetic", and criticizing it for its "misdirection" and calling it "A movie that so desperately wants to please a fractured fanbase that it doesn't bother with an identity of its own", though he praised it for its "[r]emarkable set pieces".{{cite web|last=Tallerico|first=Brian|author-link=Brian Tallerico|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-movie-review-2019|title="Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker"|work=RogerEbert.com|date=December 18, 2019}}

Whereas Asian-American actress Kelly Marie Tran had around ten minutes of screen time in The Last Jedi, she appears for about a minute in The Rise of Skywalker. The reduced role was interpreted by some critics as a concession to fans who disliked her character;{{cite web|url=https://slate.com/culture/2019/12/the-rise-of-skywalker-kelly-marie-tran-rose-tico-time-onscreen.html|title=Kelly Marie Tran Is in Even Less of The Rise of Skywalker Than We Thought|last=Kim|first=Violet|date=December 24, 2019|work=Slate|access-date=December 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191228185335/https://slate.com/culture/2019/12/the-rise-of-skywalker-kelly-marie-tran-rose-tico-time-onscreen.html|archive-date=December 28, 2019|url-status=live}} Tran had been a target of racist, fatphobic and misogynistic online harassment following the release of The Last Jedi. Multiple cast members involved on the previous film defended her, such as Boyega.{{cite web |last=Blackmon |first=Michael |title=John Boyega Defended Kelly Marie Tran After She Was Bullied Off Instagram By Racist Trolls |website=BuzzFeed News |date=June 13, 2018 |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/michaelblackmon/john-boyega-defended-his-star-wars-castmates-after |access-date=July 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722032949/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/michaelblackmon/john-boyega-defended-his-star-wars-castmates-after |archive-date=July 22, 2019 |url-status=live }} Critics said she was "sidelined" into a minor character, and commented on how she was written out "without any explanation" and her minor role was considered by one critic to be "one of the film's biggest disappointments".{{Cite web|url=https://nerdist.com/article/star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-failed-rose-tico-kelly-marie-tran/|title=How The Rise of Skywalker Failed Rose Tico|website=Nerdist|date=December 20, 2019 |access-date=December 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221062001/https://nerdist.com/article/star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-failed-rose-tico-kelly-marie-tran/|archive-date=December 21, 2019|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2019/12/wheres-rose-is-one-of-the-biggest-disappointments-of-star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker.html|title='Where's Rose?' is one of the biggest disappointments of 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker'|last=Morona|first=Joey|author2=Cleveland.com|date=December 18, 2019|publisher=Cleveland.com|language=en|access-date=December 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221062002/https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2019/12/wheres-rose-is-one-of-the-biggest-disappointments-of-star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker.html|archive-date=December 21, 2019|url-status=live}} With regard to the criticism towards the character's reduced screen-time, screenwriter Chris Terrio said it was due to the difficulty of including the deceased Carrie Fisher archive footage in scenes planned to feature both characters.{{cite web|last=Harvey|first=Josephine|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/star-wars-kelly-marie-tran-rose-tico_n_5e098362c5b6b5a713b08791?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000063&ir=Entertainment|title='Star Wars: Rise Of Skywalker' Writer Explains Why Kelly Marie Tran Lost So Much Screen Time|website=HuffPost|date=December 30, 2019|access-date=February 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808005643/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/star-wars-kelly-marie-tran-rose-tico_n_5e098362c5b6b5a713b08791?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000063&ir=Entertainment|archive-date=August 8, 2020|url-status=live}}

Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale, the lowest among the live-action films in the franchise.{{cite web|last=Fowler |first=Matt |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/12/21/star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-receives-lowest-cinemascore-of-sequel-trilogy-kylo-ren-rey-palpatine-han-leia-luke |website=IGN |title=Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker Receives Lowest CinemaScore of Sequel Trilogy |date=December 21, 2019 |access-date=December 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221191414/https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/12/21/star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-receives-lowest-cinemascore-of-sequel-trilogy-kylo-ren-rey-palpatine-han-leia-luke |archive-date=December 21, 2019 |url-status=live }} On PostTrak, audiences gave the film an average of four stars out of five, with 70% of respondents rating it as a "definite recommend".{{Cite web |last=Fuster|first=Jeremy|url=https://www.thewrap.com/star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-cats-box-office/ |title='Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' Soars, While 'Cats' Crashes at Box Office |date=December 21, 2019 |website=TheWrap |access-date=December 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222005750/https://www.thewrap.com/star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-cats-box-office/ |archive-date=December 22, 2019 |url-status=live }} Of the demographics polled by PostTrak, parents gave it 5 stars and children under 12 years old gave it 4.5 stars, with 80% of males and 84% of females rating it positively. RelishMix, which tracks social media posts and online presence, "noticed a divided reaction to Skywalker online, though it leaned slightly positive".

Months prior to the film's trailer release, the "Want to See" percentage was review bombed on Rotten Tomatoes, dropping the score as low as 5% within a day. Negative comments reflected a "lingering negativity" toward The Last Jedi according to Screen Rant. After a similar bombing campaign occurred with the 2019 film Captain Marvel, Rotten Tomatoes temporarily changed the "Want to See" feature to a number and eventually removed the feature altogether.{{Cite web |last=Zinski |first=Dan |url=https://screenrant.com/star-wars-9-review-bombed-rotten-tomatoes/ |title=Star Wars 9 Is Already Getting Review Bombed On Rotten Tomatoes |date=February 25, 2019 |website=Screen Rant |access-date=December 19, 2019 |archive-date=July 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190705044552/https://screenrant.com/star-wars-9-review-bombed-rotten-tomatoes/ |url-status=live }}

Some fans reacted negatively to the manner in which Darth Sidious was written back into the series, particularly due to perceived lack of explanation. Subsequently, the details regarding Palpatine's apparent survival of the Battle of Endor have in some measure been explored in some of the spin-off TV series released since the film. The line, "Somehow, Palpatine returned," has since become an internet meme, and has been called "the Star Wars meme to end all memes." Liz Declan of Screen Rant stated that the line seemed like a "bit of a slap in the face" to fans of the series. She assessed: "The phrasing of that line alone suggested Star Wars knew this plotline didn't really make sense, and the movie didn't seem all that concerned with whether audiences believed it or not." Ian McDiarmid commented in 2025: "I don’t read that stuff and I’m not online. So it’ll only reach me if someone mentions it. I thought there might be a bit of a fuss about bringing him back. But as I said, mine and Palpatine’s logic was entirely reasonable. This man who was horribly maimed thought maybe one day it might happen to him, and we’ve got to have a plan B. I loved the whole idea that he should come back and be even more powerful than he was before. Though this time, he had to be utterly destroyed. So I think he’s dead."{{Cite web |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |date=2025-04-28 |title='Palpatine's Logic Was Entirely Reasonable' — Ian McDiarmid Responds to the Emperor's Divisive Return in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/palpatines-logic-was-entirely-reasonable-ian-mcdiarmid-responds-to-the-emperors-divisive-return-in-star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker |access-date=2025-05-26 |website=IGN |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Declan |first=Liz |date=2024-12-19 |title=Star Wars Has Spent The Last 5 Years Explaining "Somehow, Palpatine Returned" - Are You Convinced? |url=https://screenrant.com/star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-palpatine-return-five-years-explaining/ |access-date=2025-05-26 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}

In a November 2021 interview by Empire, Kathleen Kennedy indicated that the Lucasfilm team had been having conversations regarding the future of the sequel trilogy's characters.{{Cite web|last=Travis|first=Ben|date=2021-11-22|title=Kathleen Kennedy Talks 'Emotional' Obi-Wan Reunion, Suggests Star Wars Sequel Trilogy Characters Could Return – Exclusive|url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/kathleen-kennedy-talks-emotional-obi-wan-reunion-star-wars-sequel-characters-exclusive/|access-date=2021-12-11|website=Empire|archive-date=December 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204230240/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/kathleen-kennedy-talks-emotional-obi-wan-reunion-star-wars-sequel-characters-exclusive/|url-status=live}} At Star Wars Celebration Europe in 2023, a new film directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy was announced that will follow Rey as she attempts to rebuild the Jedi Order following the events of The Rise of Skywalker. Ridley is set to reprise her role as Rey.{{Cite web|last1=Vary|first1=Adam|last2=Warmann|first2=Amon|date=2023-04-07|title=Daisy Ridley to Reprise Role as Rey in New 'Star Wars' Film |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/daisy-ridley-rey-star-wars-new-movie-1235572603// |access-date=April 7, 2023|website=Variety|archive-date=April 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407120928/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/daisy-ridley-rey-star-wars-new-movie-1235572603/|url-status=live}} Kennedy also hinted at the possibility of other sequel trilogy characters coming back.{{Cite magazine |last=Ross |first=Dalton |date=2023-04-09 |title= The Star Wars crawl is coming back, says Kathleen Kennedy |url=https://ew.com/movies/star-wars-crawl-rey-kathleen-kennedy-star-wars-celebration-interview/ |access-date=2023-04-09 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |language=en-US}}

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