Marvel Alters Rise of Skywalker to Meet Fan Demand

More than six years after Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker premiered in theaters, Marvel Comics has at last finished adapting the final installment of the Skywalker Saga. Though Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Adaptation might seem late to the scene (the series was originally announced in 2020 and later shelved during the COVID-19 pandemic), it does offer fresh elements. This comic run incorporates scenes and conversations absent from the film, including one key adjustment fans have long wanted to see.

Keep reading to find out which crucial scene plays out differently in the concluding issue—and what lingering questions this change brings up.

Every Upcoming Star Wars Movie and TV Show

View 21 Images

The Biggest Change in The Rise of Skywalker Adaptation

Much like the novelization of The Rise of Skywalker, Marvel’s adaptation goes beyond retelling the movie’s plot by adding new scenes and dialogue that enrich the story. Issue #5 alone introduces several significant changes. Readers get to see the message Lando sends across the galaxy as he summons an armada to combat the Sith Eternal fleet. We also witness Rey and Ben Solo communicating telepathically through the Force, reflecting their deepening dyad bond.

However, the most dramatic shift occurs during the pivotal sequence where a weary but resilient Rey faces her rejuvenated grandfather, Palpatine, inside his Sith temple on Exegol. In the film, Rey draws strength by hearing the voices of numerous fallen Jedi—ranging from Anakin and Luke Skywalker to Clone Wars-era legends like Obi-Wan Kenobi, Luminara Unduli, and Mace Windu, and even Ahsoka Tano and Kanan Jarrus.

Even though that scene honors the lasting legacy of the Jedi, many fans expressed disappointment that these cameos were limited to voiceovers. There was no visual manifestation of the deceased Jedi, despite the camera shot of Rey having ample space for an assembly of Force Ghosts. This is exactly where the comic aims to make amends. Here, Rey is visibly joined by Force Ghosts on Exegol:

This certainly transforms the moment into something more cinematic. It's just unfortunate the film didn’t take this route—though coordinating all the actors for a fleeting group shot would have been quite the challenge.

And this isn’t the only instance where issue #5 introduces Force Ghosts absent from the movie. Following the victory celebration on Ajan Kloss, both Luke and Leia appear to gaze proudly upon their friends and share a bit of lighthearted sibling banter.

Director J.J. Abrams had significant constraints with Leia due to the untimely passing of Carrie Fisher in 2016. Both the novel and comic, however, are free from such limitations—they take the opportunity to enrich Leia's involvement in the Sequel Trilogy's conclusion with new scenes and interactions.

Unraveling the Ahsoka Tano Mystery

As satisfying as the Force Ghost scene may be, it still prompts a few tricky questions. First, how are so many Jedi from the Prequel era able to manifest as Force Ghosts at all? The Star Wars canon has established that this ability isn’t innate; it requires special training—knowledge passed down from Qui-Gon Jinn to Yoda and Obi-Wan after death. So why can Mace Windu, Luminara Unduli, Aayla Secura, and Ki-Adi-Mundi now appear? Is the Force simply bending its own rules for such a critical moment?

Another point of confusion is the inconsistency in the characters’ ages. Why does Anakin appear in his prime from the Clone Wars period, while Luke is depicted as the older, worn-out hermit from Ahch-To? And why does Obi-Wan manifest in his younger Ewan McGregor appearance rather than as Alec Guinness?

Star Wars: 17 Ways The Rise of Skywalker Novelization Enriches the Movie

View 18 Images

But the most pressing question involves Ahsoka Tano—a character whose fate during the Sequel Trilogy era has never been officially confirmed. Ashley Eckstein, who voiced Ahsoka in animated series, recorded a line for the film long before Rosario Dawson was cast as the live-action counterpart. Still, it remained ambiguous whether this meant Ahsoka had died by that time. Dave Filoni himself has cast doubt on that interpretation.

Does her appearance in this comic imply she is truly deceased? Or is she simply projecting her presence through the Force, much like Luke did during his final showdown with Kylo Ren in The Last Jedi? Lucasfilm may not provide an answer soon. For now, Ahsoka’s story after Return of the Jedi is still unfolding. Dawson is set to return in the second season of Star Wars: Ahsoka and is anticipated to play a major role in Filoni's upcoming live-action Star Wars film.

What’s your take on the alterations in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Adaptation? Do they enhance the story? Share your thoughts in the comments. And don’t forget to catch up on every Star Wars movie and series currently in the works.