I just watched Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker for the first time. There’s a history here. A few years ago, J.J. Abrams actually wrote to me with his concerns about the script. I was pretty frank with my criticism and my feedback, which offended some people in his writer’s room, and so none of my suggestions were taken on board. Seeing the movie now, I really wish I’d gotten through to him, but Hollywood has a way of corrupting people.
If you’re curious, I think enough time has passed that I can share this with you all. See below
(Contains Spoilers)
Hi J.J,
I can see why you’re concerned about Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker. But don’t get yourself down. The ending only needs a slight tweak and everything will be okay, J.J.
As always, no need to credit me for the attached adjustments to the script. Seeing Hollywood produce fine films is reward enough.
First of all, I’ve added two lines of dialogue to explain why they needed to launch a ground invasion on the communications tower when they could just shoot the damn thing from the sky.
“The tower is protected by an incredibly powerful shield, so we’ll need to take it down with a ground assault.”
Problem solved. After they decide they have to land on the flagship instead, maybe add a little extra clarity for the kids. Something like:
“They’ve diverted the shields to protect the tower. It’s up to you, Finn.”
Done.
The second change is to do with your main issue: the Emperor vs Rey and Kylo Ren showdown.
I believe this is how it goes at the moment, to be honest I’m a little confused:
Rey says she wants to “destroy the Sith”, which we assume means defeating the Emperor, for no other manner of destroying the sith is presented.
- Emperor says he wants to be defeated by Rey! It was in fact his grand plan all along, because if she strikes him down the Sith spirits will somehow possess her. (Why a grand villain would explain his schemes to the one hero who can stop them is the greatest mystery of modern cinema, and I appreciate your desire to add to this classic Hollywood trope. After all, if we don’t remind our American audiences to turn their brains off, they might start voting sensibly).
- Emperor says the only way you can save your friends is by shutting up and doing what I say. You’re gonna kill me so I can possess you and we’ll rule as Empress (?)
- Kylo Ren appears on the scene and is halted by some sith cultist baddies.
- Rey looks like she’s about to submit but instead passes one of her sabres to Kylo Ren.
- Kylo Ren reaches Rey, wooo, now they can face the emperor together.
- (At this point I can see you got yourself a little stuck, J.J.)
- Emperor uses powers to suck life force out of Rey and Kylo Ren and make himself into a big powerful emperor. It appears his powers are so villainous he doesn’t even understand them himself, as he gives a completely contrary infodump to what he said about his grand plan above. He flicks Kylo Ren down a well. While he makes it clear he doesn’t need Rey anymore, he doesn’t kill her but decides to let her have a nap.
- This is all very convenient because now Rey can rise up, hear the voices of all the jedi and destroy the emperor.
- She falls over and dies from exhaustion (at this point the audience has learned not to question why)
- Kylo Ren crawls out of the well and saves her.
- They kiss (yay moment!)
- Kylo Ren falls over and dies from exhaustion (How Post-modern of you to immediately counteract the yay moment with this downer. But I understand it would have difficult to write the ending scenes with Kylo around. He’s so emo.)
May I instead suggest the following:
Rey says she wants to “destroy the Sith”
- Emperor reveals that if you destroy the Sith, you also destroy the Jedi. One has no power without the other. This is what it means to bring balance to the force. (Big epic reveal, this is the crux of all 9 movies! Fan’s go wild.)
- (option) If you want to delve a little more here: Emperor reveals that he wanted Vader to balance/destroy the force. Something like “As emperor of the galaxy, the force was the only remaining threat to my rule. But Vader was too weak, and now I am a shadow of my former self.”
- Kylo Ren arrives on scene and fights sith cultists baddies.
- Emperor urges Rey to accept control of the big bad fleet and rule as empress. The emperor will sacrifice himself for her sake. Kylo Ren will be eliminated momentarily. The force will be balanced/destroyed. Her rule will be undeniable. Oh by the way, if you refuse all your friends die (same shot of the rebels losing, alongside shots of Kylo losing).
- (Option) Could back this up with illusions of what the empire would be like under Rey. Maybe even nice images. Oooo the Temptation. The Emperor regrets he cannot rule himself but having one order in charge of the whole galaxy was the end goal, and she is a Palpentine after all.
- Kylo begins to lose and is about to die to the cultists. Emperor get ready to sacrifice himself and win.
- Can still use the cool shot where Ren raises her sabre to strike Emperor down, passes a sabre over to Kylo.
- Kylo and Ren destroy emperor and cultists.
- Kylo and Ren get together / stay friends. This is another version of balancing the force: the dark side and the jedi living in harmony.
Of course this is just a suggestion. You can do pretty much anything other than what’s currently in the script.
A few other missed opportunities:
- The Empire Spy, instead of getting found out and shot, could survive to lead some empire forces to change sides in the middle of the final battle. This was thematically set up with all the ex-stormtrooper characters. Regardless, his motivation should be something more thought out than simply hating Kylo Ren.
- Fix the romances. Who is with who? Just make a decision and go for it.
Thank you again for reaching out, J.J. I’m sure you’d figure it out even without my help. After all this is 275 million dollar movie, and script writers are so very cheap. Simply harness the amazing talent of writers out there and you’ll create a film worthy of critical acclaim, a worthy finale in this chapter of the Stars Wars universe.
Lots of love,
C. Winspear.