The Rise of Skywalker Filmmakers Used Code Names to Talk About Surprise Characters in Public

The return of Emperor Palpatine in The Rise of Skywalker was one of the many things that fans were really surprised and excited about prior to the movie's release. In order to avoid spoiling things to anyone in public, Episode IX filmmakers had to use code names for the characters. And with the addition of another cameo by another legendary Star Wars actor, they really had to keep things under wraps.

This article contains SPOILERS for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

In a recent interview with GQ, The Rise of Skywalker writer Chris Terrio revealed that both him and director J.J. Abrams had to be much more careful when talking about the movie in public, such as coffee shops. "I am very relieved to finally be able to speak about this without generalities," he said. "I can use proper nouns!"

Terrio said they had to use code words with the fear of someone overhearing them. He then recalled the time when Abrams and him were discussing ideas in a bar at Oxford, in which the director just gave a talk to a uni. "The very next day some of the contents of our conversation wound up on the internet," he added. "We realized we had to be a little more careful."

When asked what the codenames were, Terrio said the Emperor was called Trooper 13 whilst Han Solo was called The Janitor. "We felt that was a huge unresolved part of Kylo. The family sin," he explained. "So closure was necessary for Ren to make peace with the memory with his father, so we called Harrison The Janitor because he allowed Ren to clean up, at least spiritually, some of the mess he'd made."

Since Ford's cameo was a surprise, it makes sense for them to use code names. The actor's shoot was a "super top-secret mission" and they even had Harrison Ford flown in an unmarked plane to the set.

What are your thoughts on the movie bringing back both these characters? Tell us in the comments below!

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is now showing.

Also Read: Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Writer Details Rey's Parentage Story

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