Marvel’s Belated Adaptation of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Features Deleted Scenes and Surprises

If you’re still recovering from 2019’s Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker—a film I must admit I didn’t detest—it’s time to gear up for another adventure. Marvel Comics has unveiled plans for a comic book adaptation of the final chapter in the Star Wars saga, arriving more than five years after the film premiered.

This limited series, consisting of five issues, has been crafted by the talented Jody Houser—known for her work on Doctor Who and Star Wars: Thrawn. Accompanying her, artist Will Sliney, who worked on Star Wars: The Rise of Kylo Ren, brings the story to life on the page once again. Initially announced back in 2020, the series stays true to the 2019 cinematic storyline, but with a twist. Marvel and Lucasfilm have added scenes that fans have yet to officially see, promising a richer experience.

According to Marvel’s official statement, this much-anticipated series is set to land on February 26. It follows closely on the heels of the Star Wars: Legacy of Vader ongoing series, kicking off on February 5. While Kylo Ren fans are certainly in for a treat, this doesn’t imply an immediate on-screen return of the character played by Adam Driver.

A highlight from the official announcement comes from editor Mark Paniccia, who noted the growing enthusiasm among the sequels’ devoted followers. There’s a buzz surrounding characters first introduced in The Force Awakens back in 2015. Paniccia remarked, "There’s a resurgence of interest in these characters, especially Kylo Ren, Darth Vader’s blood heir." Although bringing back Ben Solo in the post-TROS timeline could prove challenging, it’s clear Disney and Lucasfilm are paying attention. Insiders even suggest that Daisy Ridley’s Rey might be pivotal to the franchise’s cinematic future, with at least one Rey-focused film currently in the works.

Now, feast your eyes below on the stunning cover art for issue #1, featuring Kylo Ren and his not-so-effective gang, the Knights. This cover is crafted by Phil Noto, while an equally breathtaking variant, highlighting the Resistance heroes, is designed by Brian Stelfreeze.

Image credit: Lucasfilm/Marvel

While we’re all too familiar with the plot, here’s how Marvel is enticing fans ahead of the February release:

"As the Resistance battles against the First Order’s might, Poe Dameron stumbles upon an unimaginable threat looming. With the galaxy’s fate in jeopardy, Rey embarks on a quest to uncover a hidden Sith stronghold, leading her to clash with Kylo Ren. With the clock ticking, can our heroes thwart the FINAL ORDER’s impending doom?"

Despite several years of heated debates around the Star Wars sequels, I doubt this delayed adaptation will change many minds. However, leaving the trilogy unfinished in comic form always felt amiss. Plus, getting an official glimpse of those deleted scenes is a true delight for the diehards (count me in!). Here’s hoping the bizarre giant baby with an alien spider perched on its head has made it to the final pages.