Duel of the Fates may not be the only alternative version of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker out there.  

According to a recent Reddit thread, the version of the film that ended up screening was not what J.J. Abrams originally intended. An insider claims that the film was a 3-hour long opus at one point, and that major story beats and scenes were cut from the film by Disney without the consent or knowledge of the director. The thread goes on to suggest the cuts were part of a plot by Disney to keep Warner Bros., Abrams' new home, and their DC superhero films, on the margins so that there is no competition for the MCU.

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This controversy has led to a fan-led petition to release the original 3-hour Abrams cut. The current petition for The Rise of Skywalker suggests that the cut scenes would include stronger LGBTQ+ representation, more cameos by stars of previous films and a more satisfying ending. While there is no way to verify these claims, as of this writing, over 6000 people have signed the petition, the stated goal of which is 7500 signatures.

Directed and co-written 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, Keri Russell, Anthony Daniels, Mark Hamill, Billy Dee Williams, and Carrie Fisher, with Naomi Ackie and Richard E. Grant. The film is now in theaters.

KEEP READING: Fans Need to Stop Demanding Director's Cuts