Star Wars releases opening of epic Skywalker Saga making-of documentary

Disney has released the first ten minutes of the epic Star Wars Skywalker Saga 'making-of' documentary online.

The Skywalker Legacy will be available as bonus material on The Rise of Skywalker 4K Blu-ray and DVD, which hits shelves on April 20.

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The clip's debut follows the unexpected early digital release of The Rise of Skywalker across digital platforms in the US on Friday, March 13.

The clip begins with scenes of fans in 1982 who have travelled to Buttercup Valley near the Mexican border to catch a glimpse of the filming of Return of the Jedi, showing the extent of Star Wars fever almost 40 years ago.

It then goes on to show behind-the-scenes footage from The Rise of Skywalker, featuring director JJ Abrams plus stars Daisy Ridley, John Boyega and Oscar Isaac.

Related: Disney+ UK launch: Free trial, price, pre-order deal and content list of TV and movies available

In one clip, Boyega and Isaac recall their first readings together, with Boyega joking: "When Oscar came in to audition – obviously I had the role before – Oscar hadn't done much."

Isaac then replies: "It was more of a technicality. I wouldn't call it an 'audition'."

Boyega then continues: "But he read the scene and I was kind of like, 'JJ, what are we doing, man? It's him. C'mon, we're wasting time, man'. And it's nice to be able to actualise that chemistry we had on that first read."

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Touching scenes also show Billy Dee Williams, who plays Lando Calrissian, being introduced "back into this universe" by Abrams on set.

Speaking about returning for the ninth film, Williams says: "I'm quite pleased about this whole situation, coming back as an elder statesman."

There's still no word yet on whether UK fans will also be treated to an early digital release of The Rise of Skywalker, with schedules still pointing at an April 13 release date.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is available to pre-order on DVD, Blu-ray and 4K now.

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Stephanie Chase

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Stephanie is a freelance news writer, who previously covered WWE and AEW for Digital Spy.

After graduating with a degree in history from Queen Mary University, London, she studied journalism at Birkbeck University.

Outside of her work at Digital Spy, she writes about pop culture, with a special focus towards Irish media and how it intersects with politics.

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