The Original Version of Rise of Skywalker is Far Superior

Overview

The video argues that Colin Trevorrow and David Connolly’s shelved Duel of the Fates draft would have made a stronger Episode IX than The Rise of Skywalker. The narrator attributes the released film’s divisiveness to its abrupt return to Emperor Palpatine, its reversal of ideas from The Last Jedi, and the impression that the sequel trilogy lacked a unified plan.

The narrator also emphasizes that Duel of the Fates was an early draft, written amid major changes following Carrie Fisher’s death—not a finished movie.

Kylo Ren as the Main Villain

Rather than resurrecting Palpatine, the draft keeps Kylo Ren as the central threat, with General Hux leading the First Order politically. Kylo visits Vader’s castle on Mustafar, finds a message from Palpatine, and is badly burned by a Sith trap. He later seeks out the ancient dark-side figure Tor Valum, learns to drain life from others, and becomes a more powerful and frightening villain.

The narrator finds Tor Valum underdeveloped and thinks Kylo’s new ability needed a more dramatic demonstration.

Rey’s Journey

Rey’s parents remain ordinary people, as The Last Jedi suggested, and the Knights of Ren are revealed to have killed them. Her journey takes her to Mortis, where visions and clashes with Kylo push her toward the dark side. She unleashes Force lightning in one striking moment and uses mind control on Poe to make him leave in another.

The draft gives Rey greater vulnerability: Kylo blinds her during their first duel on Mortis. Eventually, she embraces both light and darkness rather than simply rejecting her anger, and becomes a teacher to a new generation of Jedi. The narrator sees this as a more complex continuation of her character than making her Palpatine’s granddaughter.

The Final Confrontation

Kylo begins draining Rey’s life, but Leia’s appeal persuades him to stop and return it. He dies beside Rey, without the same explicit redemption arc as in the released film.

Luke, Obi-Wan, and Yoda later appear to Rey, affirm her path, and leave her to decide whether to return to the galaxy. The narrator praises the scene’s emotional weight and its continuity with The Last Jedi, while noting that Kylo’s ending and the stakes surrounding his power could have been developed further.

Finn, Rose, and Poe

Finn and Rose take on more substantial roles, helping lead a rebellion on Coruscant. Finn becomes a revolutionary leader rather than mostly tagging along. Their mission involves restoring galactic communications from the old Jedi Temple, and Rose’s capture fuels Finn’s fight.

The video appreciates the ambition of their arcs but questions whether Finn could quickly persuade a heavily indoctrinated stormtrooper to defect. Poe has less to do, though he helps persuade Leia to support the Coruscant uprising.

One comic example of questionable logic has Chewbacca and BB-8 fly an X-wing while Poe pilots the Falcon—even though Poe is the experienced X-wing pilot and Chewie knows the Falcon inside out.

Legacy Characters

The draft gives C-3PO and R2-D2 more attention. R2 is badly damaged during the battle, and the script imagines his memories of decades of adventures playing back as he is repaired—a sentimental moment the narrator would have liked to see on screen.

Chewie finally receives a medal, decades after being overlooked at Yavin. The narrator jokes that the long-delayed recognition is well deserved. Lando’s reluctant return to help the Resistance is broadly similar to his role in the released movie.

Verdict

The video’s verdict is that Duel of the Fates is more coherent, more connected to the preceding films, and better at giving the ensemble meaningful arcs. The narrator nevertheless acknowledges several flaws:

• Tor Valum’s appearance is brief.
• Rey and Kylo’s story feels disconnected from the Coruscant battle.
• Several developments are convenient or questionable.

A mid-video advertisement for the narrator’s dueling-focused lightsaber store briefly interrupts the analysis.

People and Characters Discussed

People: Stickman Anakin (the narrator), Colin Trevorrow, David Connolly, J. J. Abrams, Rian Johnson, Kathleen Kennedy, and Carrie Fisher.

Characters: Rey, Kylo Ren/Ben Solo, Finn, Rose, Poe, Leia, Luke, Han, Chewbacca, Lando, Hux, Palpatine, Tor Valum, C-3PO, and R2-D2.