In the final moments of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Rey rescued the last surviving Resistance members from the battle on Crait – the final dregs of the opposition against the First Order. But in The Rise of Skywalker, ranks have grown – meaning Rey, Finn, Poe and Leia will have some additional back-up this time around.
First up is Naomi Ackie as Jannah, seen above with Finn, the leader of a warrior tribe on the moon of Kef Bir where the remains of the Death Star destroyed at the end of Return Of The Jedi crashed. “Jannah’s story links her up with the characters in a really interesting way,” Ackie teases to Empire in the upcoming Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker issue. “She has her own backstory, which makes her very invested in the fight. She has this fierce warrior nature, but a soft centre. There’s a part of her that is seeking connection with people, trying to build a family.”
Also joining the fray this time is Zorii Bliss, played by firm J.J. Abrams favourite Keri Russell. As a Spice Runner on the ice planet Kijimi, she’s no clear-cut goodie – but can be seen in the trailers journeying alongside the Resistance. “There was this female character when J.J. was young – I think it was in Speed Racer or something,” Russell tells Empire. “She rode a motorbike and had this helmet. He goes, ‘I could never see her face and I was always obsessed with what she looked like.’ That was the genesis of this character, because he always wanted to know who she was.”
Inside the mag, on sale from Thursday 28 November, you’ll find brand new images and insights from Episode IX, and all-new interviews with Sequel Trilogy stars Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, and Kelly Marie Tran, the legendary Anthony Daniels and Billy Dee Williams, franchise newcomers Naomi Ackie and Keri Russell, and writer-director J.J. Abrams and co-writer Chris Terrio. Plus, the issue also comes with a bonus Skywalker Saga magazine – the ultimate celebration of the nine-film epic, with fresh interviews, features, archival material, and more – and a Dark Rey art card, illustrated exclusively for Empire by Rory Kurtz.
Take a closer look at the new covers and more here. Pick up the magazine on newsstands from 28 November – and prepare to take in the final chapter of the Skywalker Saga when Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker hits UK cinemas on 19 December.