Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker - live updates: Trailer reveals the return of Palpatine
Get ready, Chicago! This weekend sees all manner of creatures, droids, and jedi masters descend upon the city for Star Wars Celebration 2019. It’s the ultimate convention for fans of the franchise: not only can they gather together, revel in the geekery, and flaunt their very best cosplay outfits, but the event will feature a host of special panels – with some teasing major revelations for Star Wars’ future.
On Friday, we’ll get our very first look at Episode IX. Disney is expected to debut a trailer at the panel, which presumably means we’ll learn the film’s title too. As the epic conclusion to the Skywalker saga, which began all the way back in 1977 with A New Hope, Episode IX is likely hiding some surprises up its sleeve, which may explain why we’ve heard so little so far.
We’ll be covering all this live from the convention centre itself, so follow the liveblog below to find out the latest news coming out of Star Wars Celebration 2019.
Kelly Marie Tran – who's gotten the biggest and warmest reception from fans so far – may or may not have a romance with Finn – there's a lot of talk about him being an "eligible bachelor"!
"My answer is not the end of this story, but the lightsaber that Rey inherited from Luke lives," Daisy Ridley has confirmed. They're being very touchy about whether Rey gets any new force powers though. "There are some other things," Abrams said.
John Boyega has explained that Finn has found his place in the Resistance in Episode IX, which means a new costume. Plus, Captain Phasma is definitely dead! And about that Finn/Poe romance we all wanted? Boyega hasn't taken it off the table entirely...
C-3PO actor Anthony Daniels has arrived, alongside R2-D2. Daniels has something to say for the franchise's history of characters telling C-3PO to shut up. "Enough!" he exclaimed. "Droid rights!" It seems L3's influence is spreading...
Episode IX will feature a number of deleted scenes from the Force Awakens featuring Carrie Fisher as Leia. Abrams explains that they were adamant they weren't going to use CGI, but that they used the scenes to "continue her story".
Host Stephen Colbert has brought on Lucasfilm head Kathleen Kennedy and director JJ Abrams to start off all the reveals and teases. "He cares more than anybody I know," Kennedy said of Abrams.
Abrams also said of the film's new characters: "It's about what they've inherited, the light and the dark" He's teasing that they'll face "the greatest evil". Colbert immediately wants to know what that its!
I'm here and ready! There have been plenty of rumours as to what Episode IX's title will be. Something to do with the force? With redemption? A new order? I guess we'll find out soon...
It's a given that every Star Wars fan has their own official ranking of the films and will defend it with all their might. As your guide to all things from a galaxy far, far away for the next four days, here's how mine works out:
Hi! Welcome to The Independent's coverage of Star Wars Celebration 2019, coming straight from the convention floor itself in Chicago. We're in for four packed days of events, so check back here tomorrow and throughout the weekend for all the best news, photos, and surprises from the world's biggest Star Wars convention.
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