CHICAGO (AP) — The Latest on the unveiling of details about the final installment of the third “Star Wars” trilogy at the Star Wars Celebration being held this weekend in Chicago (all times local):
12:10 p.m.
No one is ever really gone, says Luke Skywalker in the first teaser for “Star Wars: Episode IX,” which fans got a first look at Friday at Star Wars Celebration in Chicago.
The short spot also revealed the title to the final chapter in the Skywalker saga will be “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.”
The voice of Mark Hamill’s Luke Skywalker provided the narration for the teaser, with a voice telling Daisy Ridley’s Rey that the knowledge of a thousand generations has been passed on. He added that this is her fight now.
Audiences also got to see a glimpse of the return of Billy Dee Williams’ Lando Calrissian and Carrie Fisher’s Leia Organa.
The trailer ends with the ominous laughter of an old but familiar villain: Emperor Palpatine from the original and prequel trilogies.
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11:45 a.m.
“Star Wars Episode IX” doesn’t pick up immediately after the events of “The Last Jedi.”
Director J.J. Abrams says Friday at Star Wars Celebration in Chicago that some time has gone by since the events of the last movie.
He teased that it will be an adventure that the group goes on together. Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy also reiterated that “Episode IX” will close out the newest trilogy and the 9-film Skywalker saga that began in 1977.
Stephen Colbert moderated the panel Friday where fans are hoping to get a title and a trailer for the film that opens nationwide on Dec. 20.
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11:15 a.m.
J.J. Abrams says that Carrie Fisher’s Leia will live in “Star Wars: Episode IX” through unused scenes from “The Force Awakens” that he’s been able to integrate into the story.
Speaking Friday at the Star Wars Celebration event in Chicago, Abrams said having a CG character, recasting or just having her disappear, were not options.
Fisher died in Dec. 2016, after shooting had wrapped on “The Last Jedi,” and her character is alive in the last shot of the film. It’s been a lingering question how the final installment in the new trilogy would handle Fisher’s passing.
Abrams says that Leia lives in the film in a way that is mind-blowing to him.
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1 a.m.
The Skywalker saga may be coming to an end this December as the latest Star Wars trilogy finishes, but eight months out from its release fans still know precious little about what director J.J. Abrams and Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy have in store for “Episode IX.”
That should change Friday at Star Wars Celebration in Chicago when Abrams takes the main stage with Kennedy for what is the most-anticipated event of the five day fan convention.
Just what will be revealed remains a mystery, although many expect to learn the title at least and perhaps even see some footage. Earlier Star Wars Celebrations have shown trailers or teasers from upcoming installments in the most recent trilogy that kicked off with 2015’s “The Force Awakens.”
“Episode IX” opens nationwide Dec. 20.