Star Wars Episode IX: Duel Of The Fates - 10 Things We Learned From Colin Trevorrow's Leaked Script

9. The Opening Crawl Opens The Film VERY Differently

It's apparent right from the off that Duel of the Fates was going to be VERY different compared to The Rise of Skywalker. Both films position the First Order as a powerful force in the galaxy, and with the Resistance on the back-foot. However, whereas The Rise of Skywalker introduces that element out of nothing, instead spending time to establish Emperor Palpatine's role in the story, Duel of the Fates unpacks how exactly the First Order responded following the Resistance's escape from Crait in The Last Jedi.

The opening crawl can be seen in the image above, but just in case it's not loading, here it is again:

"The iron grip of the FIRST ORDER has spread to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. Only a few scattered planets remain unoccupied. Traitorous acts are punishable by death. Determined to suffocate a growing unrest, Supreme Leader KYLO REN has silenced all communication between neighboring systems. Led by GENERAL LEIA ORGANA, the Resistance has planned a secret mission to prevent their annihilation and forge a path to freedom…"

As you can see, the First Order here have pretty much conquered the galaxy. They're a new Empire, and have stamped down on rebellious acts by introducing a new wave of terror across the galaxy. Summary executions become the norm, and they also prevent all forms of communication between different planets and systems.

It's with this in mind that the Resistance hatch a plan to cut through the silence. There's an old Jedi beacon on Coruscant that'll evade the First Order's technology, and if they can get it online, then the galaxy will surely come to their aid.

I'll get to the more intricate details of the plot shortly, but this is a strong opening gambit. It keeps things simple, shows how the galaxy has changed in however long it's been since the events of Episode VIII, and builds upon that film rather than tossing it aside.