'Star Wars': J.J. Abrams Pulls Back the Curtain on 'Episode IX'

[Black Panther]

The end of the Skywalker saga has officially begun, with a little help from Stephen Colbert. 


After a year's worth of speculation, emcee Colbert, Lucasfilm head Kathleen Kennedy and filmmaker J.J. Abrams unveiled the first taste of Star Wars: Episode IX to a packed (and raucous) crowd at Star Wars Celebration in Chicago Friday.


"This movie, in addition to being the end of three trilogies, it also has to work as its own movie," said Abrams. "It's about this new generation and what they've inherited the light and the dark, and asking the question as they face the greatest evil, are they prepared? Are they ready?"


The late Carrie Fisher will appear as Leia in the film, with Abrams utilizing unused footage they shot together during The Force Awakens. Colbert asked how they filled the void left by the star's 2016 death.


"We couldn't," said Abrams. "You don't recast that part and you don't suddenly have her disappear. The weird miracle of having a number of scenes from Force Awakens that had got unused, looking at those scenes and starting to understand that there was an actually a way to use those scenes and continue her story, so that it would be her. The idea of having a CG character was off the table … we said, 'what if we could write scenes about her so it's her performance?' "


He noted that she's in scenes with Fisher's daughter Billie Lourd.


"Every day it hits me that she's not here. It's so surreal because we are working with her still, if that makes sense. She's in scenes. She's alive in scenes," said Abrams.


Colbert asked if this film takes place immediately after the events of 2017's Star Wars: The Last Jedi, and Abrams confirmed it does not. 


"Some time has gone by," Abrams said. "This is an adventure that the group goes on together. It's a story that I think one of the great things about the movie, getting to work on it, was the dynamic between the characters. They are just the most wonderful together."


Billy Dee Williams returns as Lando Calrissian for the first time since 1983's Return of the Jedi. Colbert asked him what it was like to return to the character after decades. 


"Lando never left me," Williams said to big cheers. 


Abrams recalled Williams' first day on set, noting it was a big scene with a lot of extras. 


"Billy came on to the set … and it just went silent. Everyone was watching. It was so sweet to see the reaction from the people who were working on the movie. Honestly it was an emotional thing," said Abrams.


Kennedy noted that Abrams was a little starstruck working with the Star Wars vet for the first time.


"The thing I love with J.J. is he'll turn to me and go, 'Oh my god! Can you believe this is happening?' " said Kennedy.


Franchise newcomer Naomi Ackie revealed that her character is named Jana (spelling is unclear at this point).


"The original group are going on this epic, epic adventure together and I'm so excited about where Jana crosses paths with them," Ackie said. "It's wicked."


Colbert brought up rumors that she is Lando's daughter.


"Listen. Lando is a very charming man, so he could have children all over the universe," she said with a laugh. "That's all I'm saying."


Episode IX will be the final Star Wars film for the foreseeable future as Disney is emphasizing its upcoming streaming service Disney+, debuting in November, as the home of Star Wars stories (for now) Jon Favreau's The Mandalorian and an untitled Rogue One prequel starring Diego Luna in the works.


Episode IX began shooting in August 2018 and wrapped in February. It is going to be the final chapter of the nine-movie Skywalker saga, which began with 1977's Star Wars. 


The film stars Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, and Joonas Suotamo. Newcomers to the franchise include Keri Russell, and Logan actor Richard E. Grant. They will be joined by original Star Wars actors including Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), and Anthony Daniels (C-3PO). 


The panel was widely expected to be the first time a trailer and even the name for Episode IX would be revealed. Waiting for a Star Wars title has become a pastime among fans in recent years.. Rian Johnson's Star Wars: The Last Jedi revealed its title in January 2017, nearly a year before it hit theaters, while the Han Solo prequel was titled Solo: A Star Wars Story in October 2017, seven months before it opened. 


The next Star Wars movie opens Dec. 20.