‘Star Wars’ Changed Forever After Emotional ‘Rise of Skywalker’ Moment Remade

Over five years after its contentious release, Star Wars: Episode IX–The Rise of Skywalker (2019) has returned—not to theaters, but in a newly illustrated format that reinterprets its most debated moments. It’s the latest twist in Lucasfilm’s ongoing effort to chart a steady course for the galaxy-spanning franchise.

Originally released in 2019 as the final chapter of the sequel trilogy, J.J. Abrams’ The Rise of Skywalker was intended to tie a bow on the entire Skywalker saga. Instead, it left audiences split. Plot points such as Rey’s shocking ancestry, Palpatine’s return from the grave, and Kylo Ren’s abrupt transformation polarized the fandom.

The film followed Rey (Daisy Ridley), Finn (John Boyega), and Poe (Oscar Isaac) as they battled Palpatine’s (Ian McDiarmid) Final Order on the hidden world of Exegol. General Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher) guided Rey through her Jedi training, while Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) wavered between darkness and redemption. But despite the high stakes, the narrative’s rapid shifts and callbacks to previous lore left many cold.

In the wake of that reception, the franchise fell silent on the film front. But Lucasfilm’s theatrical drought is ending. The Mandalorian and Grogu, directed by Jon Favreau, arrives May 22, 2026, followed by Shawn Levy’s Star Wars: Starfighter—starring Ryan Gosling and Mia Goth—in 2027.

Notably, Favreau’s movie wasn’t part of the 2023 Star Wars Celebration slate, where Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy spotlighted three very different film projects. James Mangold’s Dawn of the Jedi would explore the ancient origins of the Force. Dave Filoni’s film promised a New Republic event film linking his Disney+ series. Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy was set to helm New Jedi Order, with Ridley returning as Rey in a mentor role.

Since then, updates have been sparse. Obaid-Chinoy’s film has been especially quiet, with rumors swirling about its production status. Even Ridley has suggested that Rey’s arc is leaning more into a leadership role—mirroring Luke Skywalker’s transition in Star Wars: Episode VIII–The Last Jedi (2015).

In a surprising development, Kennedy confirmed that Simon Kinberg is now on board to produce a new Star Wars trilogy. Insiders believe this may be the next set of core episodic entries—potentially Episodes X–XII. If so, fans wonder whether this means Rey’s story will shift from New Jedi Order into Kinberg’s trilogy.

A source close to the studio described Rey as “the most important cinematic asset the franchise has…”—a telling statement that suggests Lucasfilm remains focused on her future.

Ridley first debuted as Rey in 2015’s Star Wars: Episode VII–The Force Awakens, becoming the emotional center of the sequel trilogy. The Rise of Skywalker revealed that she was a descendant of Palpatine, a plot twist that arrived late in the saga. With minimal setup and scattered foreshadowing, many fans felt the film tried to resolve too much too fast.

In response, Lucasfilm has used tie-in content to elaborate. Marc Sumerak’s “The Secrets of the Sith” (2021) offered new insight into Snoke’s creation, and Dave Filoni’s animated series The Bad Batch delved into Palpatine’s cloning experiments.

The latest expansion comes from Marvel. “Written by Jody Houser and drawn by artist Will Sliney, the previously-announced five-issue limited series brings 2019’s Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker film to the page at last,” Marvel.com wrote late last year. “In addition to retelling the Resistance’s desperate last stand, the shocking return of Emperor Palpatine, and more, the series will include all-new scenes not in the final film.”

Released between February and June 2025, the comic adaptation adds more context—and in some cases, brand-new visuals. Also in February, Charles Soule returned with “Star Wars: The Legacy of Vader,” a story that delves into Kylo Ren’s fixation on Darth Vader before The Rise of Skywalker.

One of the film’s most important moments has now been reimagined. In the original ending, Rey hears the voices of long-deceased Jedi as she prepares to strike down Palpatine. The comic adaptation takes it a step further—Issue 5 shows the Force ghosts of Obi-Wan, Ahsoka, Qui-Gon, Luke, and more.

For fans, it’s a chance to see what that scene might’ve looked like in live action. And for many, it’s a moment of emotional payoff that was missing in the final cut.

“THE LAST HOPE OF THE RESISTANCE! REY races to confront PALPATINE, but can she stop him before the FINAL ORDER devastates the galaxy?” the synopsis of the final issue reads. “Hope comes from unexpected places as the RESISTANCE makes its last stand!”

This isn’t the first retelling of the story. Rae Carson’s novelization, released in 2020, was the first to expand the film’s events.

In other corners of the galaxy, Star Wars wrapped the second season of Andor, created by Tony Gilroy, and Skeleton Crew from Jon Watts and Christopher Ford. Andor chronicled the road to 2016’s Rogue One, while Skeleton Crew explored the New Republic timeline.

Those series followed a rough patch for the brand. The Acolyte, launched in summer 2024, became a source of heated conversation. Despite its diverse cast—Amandla Stenberg, Jodie Turner-Smith, and Lee Jung-jae among them—the series faced intense backlash and was ultimately canceled. Several cast members addressed the criticism publicly.

As Lucasfilm prepares to return to the big screen, The Rise of Skywalker’s latest interpretation may help smooth over past missteps—and offer fans a different view of how the saga could have ended.

How do you feel about this change five years later? Let us know in the comments down below!