New Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker behind-the-scenes image sees Dark Rey take the throne

(Image credit: LucasFilm)

A new Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker behind-the-scenes image has been revealed, showing Dark Rey – the Sith mirror to the Jedi played by Daisy Ridley glimpsed only in one action scene – sitting proud and triumphant on Granddaddy Palpatine’s throne.

While the shot, which you can see below, didn't make its way into the finished cut, it hints at Rey's vision of being evil perhaps being initially longer than what was shown. Daisy Ridley, for her part, looks like she’s having the time of her life on the Exegol interior set.

Instead of Empress Palpatine, we got Rey going toe-to-toe (and lightsaber to double-bladed lightsaber) with her dark doppelganger in the worn-out husk of the Emperor’s old Death Star throne room. There, Rey is thrown back by Dark Rey and later confronted by Kylo Ren.

This follows on from a handful of revelations about Rise of Skywalker deleted scenes that have emerged since the movie’s release.

One scene involving the Eye of Webbish Bog, a Lovecraftian spider guiding Kylo Ren to the Sith wayfinder, was actually filmed and the creature built but was never used. 

The novelisation, out this week, also adds further depth to Rey, with a touching addition to Kylo Ren’s farewell scene, while the question of Palpatine’s big return was also answered in the same book by Rae Carson. The reason? Clones, naturally.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is out now, having been released digitally four days earlier than originally planned.

Relive the entire Skywalker saga with our guide on how to watch the Star Wars movies in order

Bradley Russell

I'm the Senior Entertainment Writer here at 12DOVE, focusing on news, features, and interviews with some of the biggest names in film and TV. On-site, you'll find me marveling at Marvel and providing analysis and room temperature takes on the newest films, Star Wars and, of course, anime. Outside of GR, I love getting lost in a good 100-hour JRPG, Warzone, and kicking back on the (virtual) field with Football Manager. My work has also been featured in OPM, FourFourTwo, and Game Revolution.

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