Newly released concept art for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker previews Dark Rey, giving fans a look at what might have been for Episode IX.
Film concept and comic book artist Adam Brockbank shared the art on Instagram, which includes a new look at Dark Rey in an early development stage. With Rey being the granddaughter of Palpatine, she had the dark side of the Force within her all along. That said, she had always been tempted by the darker side of power, but she found her way into the light while working with her mentor, Luke Skywalker. The art shows Rey in a chilling red uniform with flaming red hair. Brockbank also shared concept art featuring Kylo Ren's rampage and "Tangerine Dream," a lightsaber duel in a sandstorm in the ruins of the homestead.
Dark Rey was first teased at D23 Expo in 2019 when fans got their first look at their hero seemingly going to the dark side. The special look included Rey dressed in dark robes and wielding a double-bladed red lightsaber. Although she doesn't fall to the dark side in The Rise of Skywalker, she comes close during a climactic battle with Palpatine. Instead, she vanquishes him and the Sith, bringing balance back to the Force.
The Rise of Skywalker released in 2019 and chronicled the final adventures of Rey, Finn and Poe Dameron as they led the Resistance's final stand against Kylo Ren and the First Order. The film grossed over $1 billion worldwide and became the seventh highest-grossing film of 2019. It also received three nominations for the 92nd Academy Awards, as well as three for the 73rd British Academy Film Awards.
Although the latest Star Wars film was released over a year ago, plenty of concept art has been finding its way around the web, and while the final design for Dark Rey was simple and short-lived, Brockbank's composition captures her in a completely different light.
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 available on Digital HD, Blu-ray and 4K UHD and Disney+.
Source: Instagram