Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Cast

Updated 8/26 with footage.

The second day of Disney’s D23 Expo started with a bang as Lucasfilm’s Kathleen Kennedy brought out J.J. Abrams and the cast of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker to kick-off the new, combined “Behind-the-Scenes with Walt Disney Studios” panel. Anticipation was high, but no new trailer debuted during the presentation. Instead, the crowd was treated to a new poster and some new clips — a “D23 Special Look” — that presented an overview of the entire nine-film Skywalker Saga, ending with a look at what audiences will find in theaters this December.

Spoiler Alert!

At the end of the footage, Rey can be seen in black robes holding a double-bladed red lightsaber. Is this a hint that she turns to the Dark Side? Or could this be just another vision of a potential future, much like Luke in the cave on Dagobah?

Following the presentation, those in attendance received a new Rise of Skywalker poster featuring The Emperor looming large in the stars above Rey and Kylo Ren as they battle it out atop some mechanical wreckage. The official theatrical one sheet is expected to debut in October.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

Stay tuned for more news from D23 Expo here.

Photos: Walt Disney Studios/Lucasfilm

About the author

James Zahn

James Zahn

James Zahn, AKA The Rock Father, is Editor-in-Chief of The Toy Book, a Senior Editor at The Toy Insider and The Pop Insider, and Editor of The Toy Report, The Toy Book‘s weekly industry newsletter. As a pop culture and toy industry expert, Zahn has appeared as a panelist and guest at events including Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC) Wizard World Chicago, and the ASTRA Marketplace & Academy. Zahn has more than 30 years of experience in the entertainment, retail, and publishing industries, and is frequently called upon to offer expert commentary for publications such as Forbes, Marketwatch, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, USA Today, Reuters, the Washington Post, and more. James has appeared on History Channel’s Modern Marvels, was interviewed by Larry King and Anderson Cooper, and has been seen on Yahoo! Finance, CNN, CNBC, FOX Business, NBC, ABC, CBS, WGN, The CW, and more. Zahn joined the Adventure Media & Events family in 2016, initially serving as a member of the Parent Advisory Board after penning articles for the Netflix Stream Team, Fandango Family, PBS KIDS, Sprout Parents (now Universal Kids), PopSugar, and Chicago Parent. He eventually joined the company full time as a Senior Editor and moved up the ranks to Deputy Editor and Editor-in-Chief.

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