Watch Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker's original script in animation form
This new project offers a comedic look at what could have happened in episode nine
A new animated video has adapted the original script for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, which was scrapped when director JJ Abrams came on board.
The ninth instalment in the Skywalker saga had a mixed reception from critics and proved divisive among the fanbase, as many took issue with how it abandoned plot threads set up in Rian Johnson's The Last Jedi.
The original script, written by Jurassic World's Colin Trevorrow, is more of a direct continuation featuring a larger role for Rose Tico (Kelly Marie Tran) and no resurrection for Emperor Palpatine.
When the document was leaked in January, die-hard fans poured over every page to determine whether it was better than what ultimately made it to cinemas. Opinion was predictably split once again.
The script has now been adapted into this comedic animated short by pop culture commentator Mr Sunday Movies, for those who don't have time to read the whole thing themselves...
Major differences include the introduction of a sith lord named Tor Valum, who trained Palpatine and offers advice to the troubled Kylo Ren, as well as a romantic subplot between Rey and Poe Dameron.
However, there are a number of similarities with the Rise of Skywalker too, including the introduction of force healing and the ultimate fate of Kylo Ren.
The script was thrown out when Trevorrow left Episode IX in September 2017, in favour of the new take written by Abrams and his collaborator Chris Terrio (Batman v Superman).
The Rise of Skywalker will be released on DVD and Blu-ray on 20th April, pre-orders are available on Amazon now
Authors
David Craig is the Senior Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest and greatest scripted drama and comedy across television and streaming. Previously, he worked at Starburst Magazine, presented The Winter King Podcast for ITVX and studied Journalism at the University of Sheffield.