The Internet began buzzing when details from the script for Colin Trevorrow's version of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, which was reportedly called Duel of the Fates, surfaced online. However, while some were skeptical about the validity of the leaked script, it appears to be largely accurate.
The A.V. Club, Collider and The Playlist have all independently confirmed the legitimacy of the script details with those familiar with Trevorrow's version of the film.
In 2015, Trevorrow signed on to direct and co-write Episode IX but parted ways with Lucasfilm in September 2017 over creative differences. He was soon replaced by The Force Awakens' J.J. Abrams, and Trevorrow's frequent collaborator Derek Connolly, who was the original Episode IX co-writer, was replaced by Chris Terrio.
Duel of the Fates would have reportedly differed from The Rise of Skywalker in a number of key areas: Kylo Ren was the main villain while Palpatine only had a hologram cameo, Kylo Ren was the one who killed Rey's parents (who were nobodies, much like he told her in The Last Jedi), Rose Tico led a heist on a Star Destroyer and Force ghosts of Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda aided Rey in her battle with Kylo Ren, who was eventually "extinguished" without any sort of redemption arc.
At the time of this writing, neither Disney, Lucasfilm or Trevorrow have commented on alleged script details.
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.