Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Includes Something From Colin Trevorrow’s Version Of ‘Episode IX’

Director Colin Trevorrow has confirmed that Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge does feature an element from his version of Star Wars: Episode IX that was scrapped at Lucasfilm.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge transports fans to the never before seen Black Spire outpost on the outskirts of wild space. While the Star Wars themed park expansion is separate from the galactic history we’re familiar with, the land features tons of easter eggs and connections to the films and animated series. It even features a brand new ship known as the TIE Echelon which Colin Trevorrow confirmed to Collider was something he developed for his version of the upcoming Episode IX. Colin Trevorrow explained:

“It was just a natural part of the process. The Imagineering team asked us to develop a new ship for the park while we were designing the film. I took it pretty seriously—it’s not every day you get to be a part of something like that. They let me see what they were working on, so I got to see what Galaxy’s Edge was going to be. I think what they’ve created is incredible. It’s such an immersive experience.”

Colin Trevorrow went on to reveal how exactly the Tie Echelon factored into the film, shedding some light on the inspiration for the ship’s design:

“It was part of an upgraded First Order fleet. An armed troop transport—the equivalent of a Blackhawk stealth helicopter. We wanted it to evoke memories of earlier ships while still being its own thing. If you look at the elements, it’s kind of a hybrid of designs from VII and VIII, with some familiar elements from OT Tie Fighters like Vader’s Advanced x1. There’s a lot of history in it.”

Lucasfilm announced in September of 2017 that Colin Trevorrow would no longer be directing Star Wars: Episode IX. Colin Trevorrow himself had originally wrote the script for the final chapter of the Skywalker Saga before screenwriter Jack Thorne was tapped write a new draft. Colin Trevorrow’s exit was announced as a mutual decision due to creative differences between the director and Lucasfilm. Reports suggested that the relationship between Colin Trevorrow and Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy had become unmanageable. Ultimately, The Force Awakens director JJ Abrams returned to helm Episode IX from a script he co-wrote with Chris Terrio (Argo, Batman v Superman).

So what do you think about Disney’s decision to still feature a ship from Colin Trevorrow’s version of Star Wars: Episode IX at Galaxy’s Edge? Let us know in the comments below!

Full plot details for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker are currently under wraps, though the film is set to conclude the Skywalker saga before the franchise takes a three-year hiatus from theaters.

Directed by J. J. Abrams, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker stars Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Joonas Suotamo, Billie Lourd, Naomi Ackie, Richard E. Grant, Keri Russell, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Ian McDiarmid, and Billy Dee Williams. Carrie Fisher will appear as General Leia Organa through the use of previously unreleased footage shot for Star Wars: The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker will be released in theaters on December 19, 2019.

Source: Collider