Colin Trevorrow Earned A ‘Rise Of Skywalker’ Writing Credit & Reveals Palpatine Wasn’t In His Script

For a prominent Hollywood director, there’s probably nothing worse than being publicly fired, removed, or replaced on a “Star Wars” movie, though the list of filmmakers on that list is relatively long and potentially growing.

Following the quit/firing of Josh Trank on a ‘Boba Fett’ film, the move-over replacement of Gareth Edwards on ‘Rogue One,’ and the firing of Lord and Miller from “Solo: A Star Wars Story,” Colin Trevorrow—coming off the billion-dollar hit of “Jurassic World,” but also the flop of “The Book Of Henry”—parted ways/was fired from “Star Wars: Episode IX.” J.J. Abrams came on to replace him and eventually crafted “Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker,” co-written by “Batman V. Superman” screenwriter Chris Terrio who also won an Oscar for writing Ben Affleck’s “Argo.”

But it’s recently been revealed that Trevorrow still has a story-by credit on the final Skywalker saga film (along with writing partner Derek Connolly), meaning some of his contributions to the overall plot of ‘Rise Of Skywalker’ were kept by Abrams and Terrio (they also consulted George Lucas for his thoughts).

“I’m not sure anyone who chooses the creative life should expect things. But I’m grateful to JJ [Abrams] for embracing some of our ideas,” Trevorrow recently told Empire in a semi-candid conversation about his work on the film before he exited the project. “It’s exciting that fans will get to see the moments that felt essential to all of us” (also, note: any residuals that Trevorrow receives for his story-by credited are being donated to charities).

One idea that wasn’t in his version of the screenplay was bringing back Emperor Palpatine.

“Bringing back the Emperor was an idea JJ brought to the table when he came on board,” Trevorrow said. “It’s honestly something I never considered. I commend him for it. This was a tough story to unlock, and he found the key.”

Trevorrow was reluctant to discuss his version of the “Star Wars” film and wouldn’t reveal elements of the plot or story of his text in any specific details. “That’s not my place, especially right now,” he said, respectfully. “I know how hard this crew has worked over the past two years; a lot of them are working with us now on ‘Jurassic.’ I want to support them as they put this film out into the world. In the end, I’m just proud to have my name in space.”

However, details did eventually leak out after a tragedy struck. His version of ‘Episode IX’ drastically changed after Carrie Fisher died. Plans for General Leia Organa to face her son Kylo Ren and even potentially battle him in an epic duel were squashed.

This appears to be the point where Trevorrow fell out with Lucasfilm, having to completely rethink and rewrite his screenplay and essentially take out any essential parts that featured Princess Leia.

This detail was backed up recently by Carrie Fisher’s brother Todd who revealed that Carrie “was going to be the big payoff in the final film. She was going to be the last Jedi, so to speak. That’s cool, right?”

Alas, we’ll never receive that version, though Fisher will appear in ‘The Rise Of Skywalker,’ via unused footage from ‘The Force Awakens.’ Personally, I’d love to read it someday in some form, possibly a graphic novel if only to see what was intended for the final send-off of Princess Leia, and what made Daisy Ridley cry.