Oscar Isaac Teases Fulfilling end to Skywalker Saga in Star Wars: Episode IX
In the end, there will have been 9 films stretched out over 42-years. What began in 1977 as a moonshot (pun intended) sci-fi space opera by a young George Lucas has become the single biggest film franchise in history. There were few people who ever thought that the trials and tribulations of a young Luke Skywalker and his plucky sister Leia would be the beginning of movie history, but here we are. This December 20, J.J. Abrams’ Star Wars: Episode IX will close out the Skywalker Saga for good. A Disney press release and a visit to the Today show by Poe Dameron himself, Oscar Isaac, confirms that Episode X will end the central Skywalker storyline. While The Last Jedi director Rian Johnson is already hard at work on a new trilogy, Abrams’ Episode IX bears the burden of delivering a satisfying conclusion to a singular family saga that has spanned 9 films, four decades, and dozens of planets. No pressure.
Here’s what Isaac had to say on Today:
“It is the end of the entire Skywalker saga. Nine stories. This is the culmination of the entire thing. What J.J. has done, and the entire Lucasfilm team, is incredibly fulfilling. It’s also special for us because you get to learn a lot more things about these characters.”
Abrams took to Twitter a month ago to remark on finishing production and to thank his cast and crew:
It feels impossible, but today wrapped photography on Episode IX. There is no adequate way to thank this truly magical crew and cast. I’m forever indebted to you all. pic.twitter.com/138AprtFuZ
— JJ Abrams (@jjabrams) February 15, 2019
While we’ve assumed that Episode IX would mark the conclusion to the Skywalker storyline, it hadn’t really been made official until now. This means the next iteration of Star Wars films will be focused on new characters. There’s Johnson’s trilogy, the films being spearheaded by Game of Thrones’ co-creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, and Jon Favreau’s live-action TV series The Mandalorian, all of which will presumably be Skywalker-free.
Episode IX will concern itself with more than just the Skywalkers, of course. We’ll find out how our new heroes Rey (Daisy Ridley), Poe and Finn (John Boyega) handle Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) and the First Order. Yet it’s the coda to Luke and Leia’s long, epic journey that will feel so momentous. This is a saga that began for many of us when we were children and will come to close as we enter middle age. That’s both amazing, and, if we’re being honest, a little sad. The fact that Carrie Fisher passed away makes it all the sadder. So yes, a fulfilling conclusion to this particular family drama, one that took place a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, would be nice.
No pressure, J.J.
Featured image: Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac). Photo: David James. ©2017 Lucasfilm Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
