How George Lucas Contributed To 'The Rise Of Skywalker'

Warning: “The Rise of Skywalker” spoilers ahead!

Despite Disney buying out Lucasfilm, many have wondered if George Lucas worked on “The Rise of Skywalker” in any capacity. To some fans, it feels that way, given the immense amount of callbacks to previous films and the many cameos that grace the screen. Thanks to ScreenRant, the truth of Lucas’ involvement has now been uncovered.

At the climax of “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” Rey (Daisy Ridley) faces off against Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid). Though her strength may not appear on par with the evil Darth Sidious at first, she eventually overcomes her weaknesses when hearing the voices of many past Jedi, from the likes of Mace Windu and Yoda to Ahsoka Tano and Anakin Skywalker.

A similar scene with Jedi from past ages was meant to appear at the end of 1983's “Return of the Jedi,” which was co-written by Lucas. As the Emperor drives electricity into the young Skywalker, nearly killing him, a moment redacted from the movie was supposed to see Obi-Wan and Yoda coming to aid the Jedi in his last stand on the second Death Star.

Though the two scenes may differ in some ways, co-writers Chris Terrio and J.J. Abrams together brought this moment back to life from Lucas’ original “Star Wars” script. Much like in “Rise of Skywalker,” wherein Rey hears the voices of Jedi past through the Emperor’s surge of lightning, Luke was likewise supposed to be protected from the Emperor’s lightning by both Yoda and Obi-Wan.

While some critics claim that “The Rise of Skywalker” fails Rey, this scene, in particular, is arguably one of the “Star Wars” movie’s most impactful moments, not only showcasing a variety of “Rise of Skywalker” cameos but also allowing Rey to overcome her own bloodline and to surface as a true Jedi. In this new and improved version, Rey is at the center of the story with long-forgotten Jedi heroes spurring her on and giving her hope, which is essentially what “Star Wars” is all about: hope even in the darkest of times.