'Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker': Knights Of Ren, New Planets, Keri Russell's Character And More Confirmed

Since the lead up to 2015’s “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” Vanity Fair has proven to be a reliable source for the upcoming “Star Wars” films. The iconic magazine has featured set and character photos along with cover stories chock full of details that let fans speculate more and more. And that continues with the latest reveals the magazine has for “Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker.”

“This trilogy is about this young generation, this new generation, having to deal with all the debt that has come before,” as director JJ Abrams describes the new trilogy. “And it’s the sins of the father, and it’s the wisdom and the accomplishments of those who did great things, but it’s also those who committed atrocities, and the idea that this group is up against this unspeakable evil and are they prepared? Are they ready? What have they learned from before? It’s less about grandeur. It’s less about restoring an old age. It’s more about preserving a sense of freedom and not being one of the oppressed.”

First, the piece has confirmed the names of two of the planets Rey, Finn, and Poe will be visiting on this latest adventure, along with some characters tied to those locations.

One of the planets is the snow-covered Kijimi, which acts as the home to Thieves’ Quarter. It’s in this section of the city that fans will be introduced to Zorri Bliss, played by Keri Russell. Not much else is revealed about this new masked rogue, but at she has “the coolest costume,” according to Russell.

The heroes will also find their way to a new desert planet of Pasaana, populated by the Aki-Aki and located on the “edge of the galaxy.” Fans got the clearest look at this planet during the first trailer, as Rey confronted Kylo Ren in his own TIE Fighter while Poe and Finn were engaged in a thrilling chase with First Order troops.

It was also revealed that Richard E. Grant would be playing Allegiant General Pryde, shown sitting alongside Domhnall Gleeson’s General Hux. It is unclear what relationship these two military minds share, but whatever it may be, it cannot mean good things for the Resistance.

The piece also confirms that the long-teased Knights of Ren will be making their return in “The Rise of Skywalker.” Described in a photo as the “elite fearsome enforcers of Kylo Ren’s dark will,” it is also confirmed in the piece that it’s the Knights that can be seen in the trailer being killed by Kylo. This is sure to raise questions as to what has happened between Ben Solo and the mysterious organization.

One of the other big teases is the evolving relationship between Rey and Kylo Ren into “Episode IX.” Despite going seemingly their separate ways, the piece reveals that the force-bond between the pair is still there and will be deeper than previously thought. All this is set to a picture of the pair in a climactic battle on what appears to be the Death Star remains seen in the trailer.

The piece also offers fresh looks at the returning Rey, Kylo Ren, Luke Skywalker, Lando Calrissian, Finn, Poe Dameron, C-3PO, BB-8, R2-D2, along with the debuting Jannah, played by Naomi Ackie.