We are all familiar with the iconic Star Wars saga. Since its inception in 1977, the saga has enthralled audiences worldwide with its simple yet effective story line, vivid characters, and brilliant screenplay.
In light of the recent premiere of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, we take a look at how the saga’s end saw the spotlight shine brightest on its stars.
The Close-Knit Unit
The films of the Star Wars saga are iconic not just for their story but also for the way they were shot. Each movie in the original trilogy was a labor of love for George Lucas, who went above and beyond to ensure that the films turned out just how he envisioned them.
Lucas’s perfectionist nature meant that he shot each film multiple times, with different directors and cinematographers taking a crack at putting the final cut together. It is safe to assume that, had he not been so determined to get the movies right, the process of filming them might have taken much longer.
Robert Pattinson
The saga’s most recent entry, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, finally put an end to the trilogy that began over 40 years ago. The Last Jedi, as it were.
In 2019, the spotlight will likely be on Robert Pattinson, whose remarkable performance as both Rey and Luke Skywalker will no doubt be debated for years to come. If the films are any example, then we can expect that his cinematic legacy will grow even more impressive over time.
Mark Hamill
It is safe to assume that, as the last surviving cast member of the original Star Wars trilogy, Mark Hamill will be the subject of much interest and analysis in the coming months. His performance as Luke Skywalker will be widely debated, with many deeming it to be his finest hour onscreen.
The actor, who is set to appear in a number of upcoming movie projects, has become such a significant part of the Star Wars saga that 2019 will undoubtedly see more of Mark Hamill than we have ever seen before. Although it is unlikely that he will ever truly be done starring in the films, his role as Luke will see him stand out even more brightly in the coming months.
Laura Dern
Laura Dern will also be in the spotlight in 2019, with the upcoming premiere of Marriage Story garnering her a Best Actress nomination. The actress, who has starred in such memorable films as Twin Peaks, Toy Story, and The Grateful Dead Movie, put in another impressive performance as Joan Crawford. This is certainly an actor to keep an eye out for in the coming year.
Kelly Macdonald
Kelly Macdonald will likely be best known as Daisy Ridley’s nimble-footed companion and fellow scavenger Poe Dameron. That is, until she further stamps her name in cinematic history by playing the first female protagonist in the Star Wars saga. In The Mandalorian, as seen in the trailer, we are treated to a glimpse of an immensely talented actress who is not only capable of playing both a man and a woman but also fully embodying their combined personality traits.
The Mandalorian is set to be released on November 12th, and will be followed by a second season in the spring of next year. We can expect that Macdonald’s star will continue to rise in the years to come.
Carrie Fisher
Finally, let us not forget about Queen Carrie Fisher, who starred as Princess Leia in all the films of the Star Wars saga. Fisher’s memorable and enduring performance as Leia continues to resonate more than 40 years after the first film wrapped, attracting new audiences to the saga each year. Although Fisher had to drop her performance of Leia for multiple medical treatments, her legacy as the original Princess Leia will assure her a role in the continuing saga. She had a lot to do with making it possible for us to enjoy the films as we do now, and she will be remembered for her indomitable spirit and sharp wit for years to come.
We will see a lot of Carrie Fisher in 2019, with her book, The Princess Diarist, set for publication in May, and a new film, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, set for release in October.
What Will The Future Of Star Wars Look Like?
With 2019 drawing nearer, we can look forward to new developments in the saga that started it all. In 2020, the spotlight will turn to Lana Wigmore as the next generation of Star Wars is set to be introduced. In the year 2022 we will see the return of many of the original cast, with Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford all set to star in new films. What will 2022 and beyond look like for the saga? Who can say but we will soon find out.