As you might expect from the ninth entry in a franchise spanning forty-plus years,Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalkeris jam-packed with Easter eggs, inside jokes, and winking call-outs for true believers. But one of these moments is more jam-packed than the rest. And comes, in fact, at a pivotal time for Rey’s (Daisy Ridley) journey. So if you’ve already seen the film and want to know exactly who those voices were near the end, read on and find out their identity. But if you haven’t seen it yet, maybe steer clear, as we’ll be discussingheavy spoilersfrom here on out. You’ve been warned!
Okay, so, Rey is in battle with her newly discovered Grandpa, Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid), and things ain’t looking so good. She’s down and out – literally, like, on the ground – and Palpatine is zapping away everybody with his damn Force lightning fingertips. How can Rey summon the strength to win this most important contest? With a little help from her friends, of course. Namely – the voices of countless Jedi before her rising into the film’s soundscape, encouraging her to rise and fulfill her light side destiny. It’s an inspiring, triumphant moment – one that underlines the lovelyStar Warstheme of strength coming not in isolation but in numbers.
But, still: Who, exactly, were those countless Jedi whispering inspirational platitudes in Rey’s ear? Some of them you likely recognized immediately, while others probably gave you pause. Now, without further ado, here is the complete list of Jedi that spoke to Rey in this pivotal moment: with some surprising deep cuts included, too.
Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen)
Sorry, prequel haters:Hayden Christensenis here to reprise his role as Anakin Skywalker – aka Darth Vader, aka Luke and Leia’s dad, aka Kylo Ren/Ben’s grandfather. His appearance in this melange of Jedi voices implies that, despite his evil deeds as Vader, Anakin’s redemption inReturn of the Jeditook, and he’s all about the light side after shuffling off this mortal coil. The last time Christensen appeared properly onscreen as Anakin was inRevenge of the Sith– unless you count his Special Edition addition as a Force ghost inReturn of the Jedi.
Luminara Unduli (Olivia d’Abo)
While we first see her in the prequel trilogy played byMary OyayainAttack of the ClonesandFay DavidinRevenge of the Sith, Jedi master Luminara Unduli is best known as being voiced byOlivia d’Aboin the acclaimedStar Wars: The Clone Warscartoon series. d’Abo played the role in seven episodes of the series, plus the 2009 video gameStar Wars: The Clone Wars - Republic Heroes.
Ahsoka Tano (Ashley Eckstein)
Introduced in the animatedClone Warsfilm and subsequent TV series, Ahsoka Tano was initially the Padawan apprentice to Anakin, before finding life as perhapsthecentral force of the show. She is an important step toward positive female representation in theStar Warsuniverse – just like Rey, who she’s speaking to. Throughout theClone Wars,Star Wars Rebelsseries, and thisRise of Skywalkercameo, she’s voiced byAshley Eckstein.
Aayla Secura (Jennifer Hale)
Another Jedi originally introduced in the prequel trilogy (as played byAmy Allen), Aayla Secura was voiced byJennifer Halein theClone WarsTV series for three episodes. Hale returns to voice the character briefly inRise of the Skywalker.
Mace Windu (Samuel L. Jackson)
Disney loves them someSamuel L. Jackson. Before he began appearing in every dang MCU film as Nick Fury,George Lucascast Jackson (in the pre-Disney merger days, it must be said) as Mace Windu, the instantly iconic Jedi who turned heads in the prequel trilogy with his cooler-than-cool purple lightsaber. After the character’s death inRevenge of the Sith, Jackson reprised the role inThe Clone Warsfilm, beforeTerrence C. Carsonpicked up the character inTheClone Warsseries. Jackson returned for the briefRise of Skywalkercameo.
Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor and Alec Guinness)
The first ever Jedi master portrayed on screen in aStar Warsfilm, Obi-Wan Kenobi is one of the franchise’s most iconic, indelible characters, representing equal parts stoic wisdom and heart-forward ingenuity. He was played bySir Alec Guinnessin the original trilogy, andEwan McGregorin the prequel trilogy. InRise of the Skywalker, the majority of Obi-Wan’s words heard are spoken by McGregor (perhaps during an ADR break on his upcoming Disney+ show?) – with the exception of one. “Rey,” perhaps the most important word Obi-Wan says, is in fact taken from an audio clip spoken by the late Guinness during his original performance as the Jedi.
Yoda (Frank Oz)
Originally appearing inThe Empire Strikes Back, Yoda is one of the most well-known, belovedStar Warscharacters – so much so that the most successful character on spin-off seriesThe Mandalorianis literally referred to as “Baby Yoda.” He’s a muckraking, green, Jedi-training machine who teaches Luke in several films (including the for-some-reason divisiveThe Last Jedi) not to judge books by covers. When you heard original puppeteer/voice artistFrank Ozreturn to the role briefly in this cameo, you got chills. Admit it.
Adi Gallia (Angelique Perrin)
Originally appearing inThe Phantom Menaceas being played byGin Clarke, Jedi master Adi Gallia later played a bigger role inThe Clone WarsTV series. She was voiced byAngelique Perrin, who also reprised the role in thisRise of Skywalkercameo.
Kanan Jarrus (Freddie Prinze Jr.)
One of the main characters on theStar Wars RebelsTV show, Kanan Jarrus is a Jedi that feels more Han Solo than Luke Skywalker. He’s a bit, pardon the pun, rebellious, a looser cannon than many of the austere Jedi around him. He’s voiced byFreddie Prinze Jr., who returned to the role for this brief cameo.
Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson)
Introduced (and killed!) inThe Phantom Menace, Qui-Gon Jinn was Obi-Wan Kenobi’s mentor, and frankly, the guy who got us into this whole mess. He’s the one who picked out a young Anakin Skywalker as being worth training, don’tcha know. Without him, there’s no Vader, no Rey, noStar Wars, no nothing. Thus, it’s only right thatLiam Neesonreturns to give his Force blessing upon Rey in her time of need.
