ESSENTIAL INDUSTRY AND AWARD NEWS  MAY 22, 2019 Inside Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, Vanity Fairbegan previewing new Star Wars movies via gorgeous cover portfolios shot by Annie Leibovitz. Today, that tradition continues with an all-new cover focused on Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, which comes to theaters this December. Our Lev Grossman-penned feature is stuffed with information about the highly anticipated conclusion to the Skywalker saga, as well as the first-ever photos of new characters played by franchise additions like Keri Russell (reuniting with director J.J. Abrams, the man behind Felicity), Naomi Ackie, and Richard E. Grant. “This trilogy is about this young generation, this new generation, having to deal with all the debt that has come before,” Abrams tells Grossman. “And it’s the sins of the father, and it’s the wisdom and the accomplishments of those who did great things, but it’s also those who committed atrocities, and the idea that this group is up against this unspeakable evil and are they prepared? Are they ready? What have they learned from before? It’s less about grandeur. It’s less about restoring an old age. It’s more about preserving a sense of freedom and not being one of the oppressed.” Elsewhere in HWD, Quentin Tarantino takes Cannes: Richard Lawson gives his new film, Once Upon a Time . . . in Hollywood, a tentative thumbs-up, while Julie Millerreports from a press conference that became contentious when the subjects of Roman Polanski and Margot Robbie’s role in the project were raised. Meanwhile, contributor Paul Chi catches up with Will Smith at the red-carpet premiere of Disney’s upcoming Aladdinremake.

The Force Is with Them After four decades, Star Wars is drawing to its epic conclusion. Lev Grossman goes behind the scenes with director J.J. Abrams and the cast for the inside scoop on The Rise of Skywalker. READ MORE » Behind the Scenes Get an exclusive look at Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,courtesy of photographer Annie Leibovitz, who shoots the places and faces behind the film. READ MORE » Star Turns Quentin Tarantino’s latest, Once Upon a Time . . . in Hollywood, is a meandering ode to a bygone era, featuring great performances by Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, and Margot Robbie as Sharon Tate. READ MORE » Tough Questions Tarantino was in a jovial mood on Wednesday at the Cannes Film Festival—until the conversation turned to Polanski and the number of lines the movie gives Margot Robbie. READ MORE » The Fresh Prince of Agrabah At Aladdin’s Hollywood premiere, Will Smith opened up about following in Robin Williams’s footsteps and how the Fresh Prince helped him find his Genie.