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Lucasfilm President on Why Palpatine and Dark Rey Were Revealed in The Rise of Skywalker Trailers


Credit: Lucasfilm


With a huge franchise such as Star Wars, fans were shocked to learn about multiple secrets in The Rise of Skywalker, with Emperor Palpatine and Dark Rey being revealed in a handful of promotional materials. Usually, secrets like these are strictly kept under wraps. Being the final installment of the Skywalker Saga, it's certainly interesting to see information like these prior to the premiere. But Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy explains why the marketing has been less secretive this time around.

In a recent interview with io9, Kennedy was asked if it's safe to say that the marketing for Episode IX has been "purposefully revealing" this time. To which she responds, "I think that is a fair assessment." This is because Kennedy thinks the fans already know most of the characters who'll play a "significant role" in the film, but they don't exactly know how the story "is going to unfold."

"It's not like Baby Yoda," she added. Pointing out that the story won't reveal "something significant like that."

"We're not trying to be coy and unnecessarily clever," Kennedy said. She revealed that they decided "earlier on" that it'll be something that the fans would want. In addition, she thinks they "need to be somewhat more open" because there's isn't exactly something to "hide." She admitted that teasing Palpatine would be something to "tantalize everybody with" and to "let speculation be a part of the conversation."

Kennedy thinks a "great thing" about Star Wars is that fans get "so engaged," which is why they "felt" revealing the said secrets should be "allowed" to happen with this particular story.

What do you think is the significance of Palpatine in the story? Do you think Dark Rey was just a vision? Tell us in the comments below!

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker premieres December 20.

Also Read: Daisy Ridley on Negative Star Wars Sequel Trilogy Comments: ‘I Didn't Ask!'

For more articles like this, take a look at our Star Wars: Episode IX page.