In a new adaptation, Star Wars has given Ben Solo/Kylo Ren new final words, revealing that he and Rey Skywalker were communicating via the force during his Rise of Skywalker death. Rise of Skywalker sees Ben sacrifice himself to save Rey’s life, with the two sharing a kiss before he passes away. However, it turns out the pair did have some final words for each other.
While the added dialogue isn’t a huge change, it does give new meaning to Rey claiming the ‘Skywalker’ name.
Rey and Ben Were Talking Via Their Force-Bond When He Died
The Force Dyad Shared Final Words Not Shown On-Screen
In today’s Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Adaptation #5 (from Jody Houser, Will Sliney, GURU-eFX and Travis Lanham), fans get a new look at Ben Solo’s final moments. While the scene of Palpatine’s defeat is consistent with the movies, extra details are added, including Rey and Ben’s communication through the Force. When Rey collapses after defeating Palpatine, Ben speaks to her via their Force bond, saying:
Rey. I can’t feel you. Take it. Everything you gave me. Please, Rey…
As the energy is channeled from one to another, Rey witnesses important moments in Ben’s life, including his bonds with Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Leia Organa. Having been saved, she uses their Force bond to reply:
No, Ben… Thank you.
Ben Solo's Death Turned Rey into a Skywalker
This New Change Improves the Movie's Ending
It’s a small change to the movie scene, but one with a surprising amount of impact. Ben and Rey acknowledging how they changed each other is a poignant way to end Ben’s life, however it also clarifies the movie’s final scene. In Rise of Skywalker‘s ending, Rey returns to Tatooine, identifying herself as «Rey Skywalker.» It’s a moment many fans disliked, feeling that Rey’s experiences didn’t justify her taking Luke and Leia’s family name.
The comic adaptation does a lot to put this moment in context, with Ben’s death showing that Rey experienced his life and his bond with his family via their Force bond. While she still had her own mentorship moments with Luke and Leia, it helps build the sense of Rey living on in Ben Solo’s place as the last Skywalker — especially thanks to another additional moment.
Rise of Skywalker's Comic Adaptation Has Improved the Story
A Few Unseen Moments Have Enriched the Movie's Ending
At the end of the comic, when Rey is shown mourning Luke and Leia, Palpatine’s words echo in her head, as he boasts, «So falls the last Skywalker.» This recontextualizes her taking the name as both an acknowledgment of belonging and a defiance of Palpatine’s victory, with Rey not wanting her diabolical grandfather to have brought an end to the Skywalker lineage. These are gentle changes — Palpatine still said these lines in the movie, and Rey and Ben’s goodbye isn’t altered — but they smooth out some of the hard edges.
This has been the case throughout the adaptation, with Leia given more lines than were possible in the movie ing the death of actress Carrie Fisher, Rose Tico given a more important role in detecting Palpatine’s Sith fleet, and Lando Calrissian delivering a stirring speech while asking for the galaxy’s help on behalf of the Resistance. While most fans’ minds are pretty firmly made up about Rise of Skywalker, the Star Wars adaptation has justified retelling the story with these small changes, showing that the franchise’s habit for ongoing self-edits can be used for good, as well as ill.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Adaptation #5 is available now from Marvel Comics.
Star Wars
Star Wars is a multimedia franchise that started in 1977 by creator George Lucas. After the release of Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope (originally just titled Star Wars), the franchise quickly exploded, spawning multiple sequels, prequels, TV shows, video games, comics, and much more. After Disney acquired the rights to the franchise, they quickly expanded the universe on Disney+, starting with The Mandalorian.
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Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker
PG-13 Adventure Action Science Fiction
6/10
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker concludes the Skywalker saga with Rey, Finn, and Poe Dameron leading the Resistance against the First Order. As the final battle unfolds, they draw upon the wisdom and strength of previous generations to confront their adversaries. Released in 2019, the film concludes the sequel trilogy.
