Christmas and New Year were supposed to deliver major Star Wars news, widely believed to be the first teaser, but nothing materialised. Now it seems like the first footage will land in just over three weeks at the biggest annual US television of the year. There have been considerable rumours that Disney is trying something a little different with the marketing for the final Skywalker film and this could start with the first teaser.
Anticipation is sky(walker)-high for the first glimpse of the beginning of the end.
It now seems certain the actual main trailer will debut at Star Wars Celebration in April, which takes place this time in Chicago from April 11-15. Most commentators are now expecting the first teaser to arrive during the 2019 Super Bowl on February 3, accompanied by the title.
A new leak claims the first teaser will not be a typical trailer but rather a montage of new footage which also includes shots from the previous movies.
It said: “They are changing up the marketing style for Episode 9. (The first teaser will come) in the form of a production announcement that principal photography is completed.”
The leak claims the first teaser will comprise: “Compelling footage in the form of a ‘completion trailer’ with some footage of past films leading up to Episode 9 as a way to honour the Skywalker saga.”
This would certainly be an emphatic way to reassure fans that the Star Wars past must not die, as Kylo Ren so divisively put it in The Last Jedi, but will instead be honoured in Episode IX.
However, there is not such good news about the biggest principal character from that past.
The leak said; “We know no Luke Skywalker footage or promo material will be used in the first phase of the marketing.”
This will make sense as a way to build anticipation and excitement for a possible Force Ghost appearance, even if it leaves fans hanging a little while longer.
It is more likely the first footage will introduce some of the new characters played by Naomi Ackie and Dominic Monaghan, as well as the long-awaited return of Billy Dee Williams as Lando Calrissian.
STAR WARS 9 IS OUT ON DECEMBER 19
