Lucasfilm just held its panel for Star Wars: Episode IX today, and not only did the studio drop the first teaser trailer for the final film in its sequel trilogy, but it also revealed the movie's official title. For those who've been missing out on all the Star Wars news the past few hours, Episode IX is now being officially called Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, a title which many suspect to be a reference to Rey's (Daisy Ridley) true heritage.
Though Star Wars: The Force Awakens and The Rise of Skywalker director J.J. Abrams is usually tight-lipped about his upcoming Star Wars projects, the filmmaker decides to explain why he chose this specific title for Episode IX in an interview with Entertainment Tonight live.
"The title feels like it's the right title for this movie. I know it's provocative and asks a bunch of questions, but I think when you see the movie, you'll see how it's intended and what it means," Abrams told the entertainment news outlet, ""But in the flow of titles, this movie had a very weird responsibility. It had to be the end of not just three movies, but nine movies, and the idea of having to incorporate the stories that have come before, strangely, is the story of the movie."
Abrams is right. There is a lot riding on The Rise of Skywalker. Not only is the film going to serve as the closing chapter to Lucasfilm's sequel trilogy, but it is also going to serve as the culmination of the entire Skywalker saga. Naming Episode IX something directly related to the legacy family seems fitting.
What do you think of Episode IX's official title? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker premieres December 26, 2019.
Read: Disney's Bob Iger Says Star Wars Film Franchise Is Going On ‘Hiatus' After Episode IX