As one of the most anticipated films of the year, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker has a ton to prove. After the brutal backlash to The Last Jedi, fans found themselves divided on how they felt about the sequel trilogy. Some took to forums and comments sections to voice their displeasure toward the franchise's new direction. Despite the endless boycotting, though, director Rian Johnson seemed completely content with his creative choices. Even if some of the actors and actresses he worked with agreed with (or at least understood) the backlash. But now that the outrage has subsided, it's important to consider this new film on its own merit. That's what Clerks director Kevin Smith is doing, at least.
During a Comic-Con interview with IGN, Kevin Smith recounted how, after his recent heart attack, Rise of Skywalker director J.J. Abrams invited him to the film's set to glimpse some of what they had planned. Spoiler alert: he wept. But according to Smith, that wasn't when he was most moved. Several crew members, including Abrams himself, warned him about one of the sets, saying that it was being used for the final shot of the film, aka the final shot of the entire Star Wars saga.
There was a scuttlebutt about a set there at Pinewood. A big set that they were like ‘You have to see this, when you see this it will melt your mind.’ I was like ‘What was it?’ They're like ‘Ask J.J.’ And so I asked J.J. I was like, 'They keep telling me I should see the set.' And he goes, 'Don't.' I said 'Why?' He said, 'It's the last shot of the movie.' So I was like, 'Well, now I REALLY want to see it.' He said, 'You don't want to be spoiled. You want to be in a theater when this happens, trust me.' And then other people on the crew were like 'Bro, I wish I hadn't seen it. I'm glad I did, but it will melt your mind.'
Smith continued with the story, saying how important it was to let the filmmakers work their magic while resisting the urge to rob yourself of a rewarding cinematic experience.
So for that reason alone, as inquisitive as I am, and curious as I am, I desperately wanted to go look. But when you talk to the magician and the magician's like 'Trust me on this one.' Sometimes as human beings we want to know how they pull the rabbit out of the hat. But J.J.'s such a magical magician that I'm just like 'You know what? OK, trick me.' I'll wait and get tricked. Even though I could've seen what it was, I was like 'I'll sit back. I'll like your plan.' He's never let me down so far.
There's a ton to look forward to in The Rise of Skywalker, the inclusion of the Knights of Ren and Emperor Palpatine's probable return being two of the major aspects fans are wanting to see. But if Kevin Smith's comments are to be believed, that last shot will blow everything else out of the water.
Let's hope so.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker will hit theaters on December 20, 2019.
