The wait is finally over, with Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker beginning its global roll out today as Disney and Lucasfilm bring the curtain down on the Sequel Trilogy and the Skywalker Saga some 42 years after George Lucas first transported audiences to the galaxy far, far away.
According to Deadline, the J.J. Abrams-directed Episode IX is expected to earn around $450 million worldwide by close of play on Sunday, which is exactly what Star Wars: The Last Jedi began its run with back in December 2017, and down almost $80 million on Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ then-record $529 million from 2015.
The Rise of Skywalker hasn’t received the best of receptions from critics, and is currently sitting on 58% rotten on Rotten Tomatoes, besting only The Phantom Menace on 53% and 2008’s awful The Clone Wars animated movie on 18% in terms of the entire Star Wars franchise.
SEE ALSO: Read our spoiler free written review of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker here
However, tracking (and pre-sales) suggests that audiences will still be out in force for the movie, and it will certainly be interesting to see the reactions from fans over the coming days and weeks. In the meantime, you can check out a new ‘Special Look’ promo for the movie, which debuted alongside The Mandalorian on Disney+ today…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wK7tzwT9l9w&fbclid=IwAR1BHCEbUP4ArCDJFf4VvJ7wy7xv4OIfDamocP2d5rMynBoUyVuHWxlMDr4
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker sees J.J. Abrams (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) directing a cast that includes Star Wars veterans Daisy Ridley (Rey), Adam Driver (Kylo Ren), John Boyega (Finn), Oscar Isaac (Poe Dameron), Lupita Nyong’o (Maz Kanata), Domhnall Gleeson (General Hux), Kelly Marie Tran (Rose Tico), Joonas Suotamo (Chewbacca), Billie Lourd (Lieutenant Connix), Greg Grunberg (Snap Wexley), Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian), Ian McDiarmid (Emperor Palpatine) and Carrie Fisher (Leia Organa) as well as new additions Naomi Ackie (Lady Macbeth), Richard E. Grant (Logan), Dominic Monaghan (Lost), and Keri Russell (The Americans).
