No, it's not an adult-film parody title, or a coffee table book about George Lucas' movie ranch. Episode 9, the next Star Wars movie, is really called Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
We finally got the title Friday morning at Star Wars Celebration Chicago, and yes, these things take time to get used to. But I can't be the only Star Wars watcher who thinks it's about as appealing as the Sarlacc.
I've said it before: I was rooting for Star Wars: A New Order. That worked on every level. Short, appealing, direct and a nice throwback to the 1977 original Star Wars film, which I saw in theaters when it was just called Star Wars but was later dubbed A New Hope.
Also, doesn't the new title just scream spoiler? In one of two ways, apparently. With Rey all over the trailer and the words THE RISE OF SKYWALKER emblazoned on the screen, are we just all admitting now that we know she's obviously a Skywalker relation, whether Luke's kid or not? Let's hope that's just too obvious. So on the other hand, is Kylo Ren, whose mother Leia was a Skywalker, the family member on the rise?
Some fans liked it, with writer Kris Tapley putting it solidly in the middle of a title ranking, above the 1977 original and below The Phantom Menace.
Ranking Star Wars episode titles! (TITLES)
— Kris Tapley (@kristapley) April 12, 2019
1. The Phantom Menace
2. The Empire Strikes Back
3. Return of the Jedi
4. Attack of the Clones
5. The Rise of Skywalker
6. The Force Awakens
7. A New Hope
8. The Last Jedi
9. Revenge of the Sith
Tapley also has thoughts about the title's meaning, writing, "I think there's zero chance that title refers to Rey."
I think there's zero chance that title refers to Rey.
— Kris Tapley (@kristapley) April 12, 2019
Not everyone was on board with the title.
"Which Star Wars isn't the rise of Skywalker .... he rose 10x already," noted one Twitter user.
Which Star Wars isn’t the rise of Skywalker .... he rose 10x already
— jaime xumi 🔦 (@jaimelasticity) April 12, 2019
Awful. Is this real?
— David Bernardi (@david_bernardi) April 12, 2019
Confused by title. pic.twitter.com/w6KI1ylrlg
— 6reg (@Darthgreg78) April 12, 2019
That’s a joke, right?
— rick (@ricktimmerman88) April 12, 2019
Some fans had theories about what was rising, and who, and why.
"Skywalker is the new Jedi Order. Rey starts it, maybe with Kylo," wrote one Twitter user.
Skywalker is the new Jedi Order. Rey starts it, maybe with Kylo.
— Unite or Die #TTP (@shadowdragontwt) April 12, 2019
The fact that Palpatine was laughing at the end of the trailer and Episode IX is titled The Rise of Skywalker... it’s so f-ing blatant you guys. Ben is going to finally make things right and heal the wounds in his family line. #bendemption #episodeix #theriseofskywalker
— raven-maiden (@raven_maiden3) April 12, 2019
The title ‘The Rise of Skywalker’ has got everyone thinking of Rey, maybe J.J. is retconning what Rian did with Rey’s lineage. No, no, no.
— terrellegrahamreviews.com (@TerrelleGraham) April 12, 2019
I think the Skywalker title is referring to Kylo. Maybe he will have a redemption arc in this story.
Fight to defeat Palpatine. pic.twitter.com/4JOefF1j5L
it's called the rise of skywalker because anakin raises from the dead to drop-kick kylo into a sun
— moms against dio brando (@C0REZI) April 12, 2019
Either Rey is a Skywalker or Ren is gonna rule the galaxy.
— Auswald (@groovyspaceP) April 12, 2019
I'm confused, I thought one of the goals of this new trilogy was to end the Skywalker saga, then again The Rise of the Dark Knight was the end of the Batman trilogy so there's that
— Pozzible Movies (@Pozzible_movies) April 12, 2019
Some fans were more interested in a familiar laugh from the new teaser trailer. Hello, Emperor Palpatine, welcome back. Maybe the title should've been, "The Rise/Return/Revenge/Whatever of Palpatine."
Star Wars, Skywalker, Palpatine, #EpisodeIX, #TheRiseOfSkywalker pic.twitter.com/eMb9YlDWj9
— Leugim🌺🌸 (@Leugim_3) April 12, 2019
Don’t get too excited. The Palpatine cackle at the end of the #EpisodeIX trailer is just Kylo Ren’s ringtone.
— Charles Soule (@CharlesSoule) April 12, 2019
Star Wars star Mark Hamill, who played O.G. Skywalker Luke, weighed in about the new title Friday, nothing that it wasn't his suggestion: Episode IX: A Bunch More Stuff Happens.
It's not #EpisodeIXFromHisNap or even my suggestion: #EpisodeIXABunchMoreStuffHappens- It'#EpisodeIXTheRiseOfSkywalker! It's time for the 8 months of speculation to begin. Is that Skywalker KYLO? LEIA? ANAKIN? LUKE? A previously unknown SKYWALKER? Is REY a Skywalker? #CoolTitle👍 https://t.co/avfffLvC1z
— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) April 12, 2019
And the actor jumped right in with guesses as to which member of his fictional family the title is referring to.
"Is that Skywalker KYLO? LEIA? ANAKIN? LUKE?" he wrote. "A previously unknown SKYWALKER? Is REY a Skywalker?"
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (really!) opens Dec. 19 in the UK and Australia, and Dec. 20 in the US.
Originally published April 12.