6 Ways The Rise of Skywalker Undoes The Last Jedi

Director J.J. Abrams may be singing The Last Jedi director Rian Johnson’s praises in the press, but Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, does a lot of dirt to the many narrative threads, ideas and characters that were set up in the last movie. Check out the gallery below to see all the middle fingers to The Last Jedi that are in Rise of Skywalker!

Returning cast members for The Rise of Skywalker include Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Joonas Suotamo and Billie Lourd. Joining the cast are Naomi Ackie (Doctor Who), Richard E. Grant (Logan), Dominic Monaghan (Lord of the Rings), and Keri Russell (The Americans), who will also be joined by veteran Star Wars actors Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels and Billy Dee Williams, who will reprise his role as Lando Calrissian. The role of Leia Organa will once again be played by Carrie Fisher, using previously unreleased footage shot for Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

In addition to directing, J.J. Abrams co-wrote the screenplay with Chris Terrio (Argo, Justice League). Kathleen Kennedy, Michelle Rejwan, and Abrams will produce, with Callum Greene and Jason McGatlin executive producing. Composer John Williams, who has scored every chapter in the Star Wars saga since 1977’s A New Hope, will return to a galaxy far, far away with Rise of Skywalker.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is now playing everywhere!

6 Ways The Rise of Skywalker Undoes The Last Jedi

Rey Is NOT a Nobody

Having Rey be retconned as Palpatine's granddaughter takes away the heart of the character as someone who came from nothing and just happens to be acutely atuned to The Force.
Very Little Sign That the Force is Democratized

There is very little evidence of other Force users beyond Rey and Kylo, with the lone exception being Finn. While the film still suggests they are out there, there is almost nothing to build off the incredible promise of the final shot of The Last Jedi.
Kylo's Helmet Restored

Kylo very determinately destroyed his helmet in The Last Jedi as part of a bid to disconnect himself from his Darth Vader obsession. But In this film he just rebuilds it for no discernable reason except to undo something Rian Johnson did in the last film.
Rose Tico Sidelined

While Rose was a divisive character in the last film, many loved Kelly Marie Tran's performance and were disheartened to fins she only has a handful of short scenes and is all but dismissed by her friend/love interest Finn.
Luke's Comment

When Luke's Force Ghost catches the lightsaber Rey throws into the fire of the tie fighter on Ahch To island, he says that is no way to treat a Jedi's weapon. This is a direct broadside against the moment in the last film where he throws the saber off a cliff. However, we acknowledge that the moment could simply be a tongue-in-cheek moment of self mockery on Luke's part, signifying he has grown since the last film.
Holdo Maneuver Dismissed

While assessing their attack against Palpatine, someone suggests a similar maneuver to the one Admiral Holdo used in the last film of a kamikaze light speed attack. This is dismissed as a one-time-thing that couldn't be repeated.