Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker will be released earlier than planned on Disney+, the studio announced today. The film will make its debut on the premium streaming service on Star Wars Day, aka May the 4th.
This marks the third Disney film to make a quicker than planned move to Disney's streaming service, following in the footsteps of Frozen 2 and Onward, both of which were added to the Disney+ line-up earlier than intended due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency. Rise of Skywalker's digital release was also moved forward due to the pandemic, though only by a few days.
Check out Disney's full press release below for further details.
The final chapter of the Skywalker saga, “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” will begin streaming two months early on Disney+ in honor of “May the 4th,” affectionately known by fans around the world as “Star Wars Day.” For the first time ever, fans will be able to stream the complete Skywalker saga all in one place. What began in 1977 with George Lucas’ groundbreaking film “Star Wars: A New Hope,” the nine-part saga is available within Disney+’s extensive collection of Star Wars movies and series including “The Mandalorian,” “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” and “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.”
Lucasfilm and director J.J. Abrams joined forces once again to deliver “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” the thrilling climactic chapter in the Skywalker saga, bringing the heroic struggle to restore peace and freedom to the galaxy to an epic, resounding conclusion.
The film stars Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Anthony Daniels, Naomi Ackie, Domhnall Gleeson, Richard E. Grant, Lupita Nyong’o, Keri Russell, Joonas Suotamo, Kelly Marie Tran, with Ian McDiarmid and Billy Dee Williams
“Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” is directed by J.J. Abrams and produced by Kathleen Kennedy, Abrams and Michelle Rejwan. Callum Greene, Tommy Gormley and Jason McGatlin serve as executive producers. The screenplay was written by Chris Terrio & J.J. Abrams and the story is by Derek Connolly & Colin Trevorrow and J.J. Abrams & Chris Terrio, based on characters created by George Lucas.
“Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” joins Disney+’s May the 4th line-up including the premiere of the eight-episode documentary series “Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian,” and the series finale of the award-winning animated series “Star Wars: The Clone Wars.”
In addition to new content offerings, Disney+ will also honor the artistry of Star Wars with a week-long concept art takeover on the service. Like a commemorative gallery, each film and series’ artwork will be updated on May 4th to feature its original concept paintings. From “Star Wars: A New Hope” to “The Mandalorian,” the updated art will feature work from celebrated artists such as the legendary Ralph McQuarrie and Academy Award-winning artist, author, and production designer, Doug Chiang. On the Disney+ home screen, the animated “Star Wars” brand tile, viewable on web and connected TV devices, gets upgraded with a new animation that honors the signature hyperspace jump. For more information and/or to sign-up for Disney+, visit:disneyplus.com/welcome/star-wars.
In the Netherlands, the movie will launch on Disney+ on May 5 due to the Memorial Day holiday.