New “The Rise of Skywalker” Poster Mimics Classic 1977 Pose
I had the above — what I consider the original Star Wars poster — on my wall for years.
In the print, a stylized Luke stands in the middle, lightsaber raised as Princess Leia looks on, blaster raised; the droids, essentially the chorus of this Shakespearean space odyssey, see all in the background.
The ultimate baddie, Darth Vader, looms above it all.
Star Wars 1977
The other version of the poster is the ACTUAL original:
Star Wars 2019
Among the newest posters for Episode IX include a very similar looking study:
Juxtaposed, the two pieces say much about the differences — and inherent similarities — of the Skywalker Saga’s first and final chapters; what with Rey bearing the hero’s sword in the new version, with Poe and Finn flanking her as the lead.
Of the original (and the second version posted above), StarWars.com posted (in 2017):
The classic trio, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, and Mark Hamill, recreate the poster pose.
The famous first Star Wars theatrical artwork poster, which more specifically is referred to as the Star Wars “Style A” poster, has become an icon known the world over.
Designed and painted by Tom Jung in 1977, the Style A poster hides many secrets and little-known facts within its composition, each with its own unique story to tell… [And] although there are some conflicting reports, according to the artist, the famous Luke/Leia triangular pose was actually conceived for a different piece of artwork, one that was ultimately used for the film’s program book and half-sheet poster. The marketers at Fox liked the look of Leia and Luke with raised saber and asked Jung to incorporate it in the main one-sheet poster design.
While the lovable protocol droid and astromech duo have become a fixture on nearly every major Star Wars ad graphic to date, their inclusion on the famous Style A artwork was essentially an afterthought. In a strange twist, the droids were only added after a second, more fanciful version of the Jung composition was completed by the Hildebrandt Brothers, who included it in their version for newspaper ads. When the marketers at 20th Century Fox decided they wanted the droids included on Jung’s poster version as well, the artist was not immediately available.
Challenging Preconceived Notions
And while the new poster definitely mimics the original, another concept is definitely causing folks to reconsider preconceived notions about the plot of The Rise of Skywalker.
The poster focuses on four main characters — are all four Skywalkers? We’re waiting to hear more about Rey’s parents, and that intel is definitely coming. “Reylo” fans love anything with both Rey and Kylo in it, and many fans are thrilled to see Leia, even if she’s looking in the opposite direction of twin Luke. (Rey is looking in the Luke direction. Worth reading into?)
We see Rey at the center, with Leia getting prominent play toward the left. The right-hand side of the poster seems to be confusing fans. It’s a squint and tilt your head situation — appearing to show Luke Skywalker but also Kylo Ren molded together.
Some fans keep seeing Obi-Wan in the poster instead of Luke Skywalker. Maybe that was intentional? Other fans are confused about the mask looking like it’s sprouting hair in the upper right corner, with replies noting it’s Luke’s hair.
Anyway, one wonders what this last image says about how Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker will leave The Saga when it debuts December 20.
