Key Takeaways:

– Colin Trevorrow was initially hired to direct “Star Wars: Duel of Fates.” His script varied significantly from what was seen in “The Rise of Skywalker.”
– His version of the story included a critical change in Jedi Lore that many fans disliked.
– Creative differences led to him leaving the project, with J.J. Abrams eventually taking over.

The Path Towards Star Wars: Duel of Fates

Successful Jurassic World director, Colin Trevorrow was originally set to direct the final part of the Star Wars sequel trilogy. Along with his frequent collaborator Derek Connolly, he developed a script for “Star Wars: Duel of Fates.” The title of the film stems from the well-known musical score heard in the prequel series.

However, after some creative disagreements, Trevorrow parted ways with the project. In his stead, J.J. Abrams took over and modified the script extensively. The question that arises is how would Trevorrow's version have fared if it had reached the big screen?

The Leaked Script and its Reception

Before the film underwent extensive changes, Trevorrow's original script for Duel of Fates leaked. Many fans found it to be a major improvement over “The Rise of Skywalker.” However, a significant section of the Star Wars fandom voiced their opposition to a particular line in the script.

The controversial change involved Yoda thanking Rey for teaching Jedi to ‘balance' the light and the dark side. This concept contradicted George Lucas's established Jedi lore where a Jedi embraces the dark but still chooses the light. As a result, the perceived deviation from the original lore did not sit well with many fans.

Differences Leading to Trevorrow's Exit

Trevorrow and his co-writer Connolly received initial credits for “The Rise of Skywalker.” However, several parts of their script were later altered. Many fans were reported to prefer the original screenplay by Trevorrow against Abrams and Chris Terrio's final version.

Trevorrow's departure as the film's director occurred following mixed reactions to Rian Johnson's “The Last Jedi” and the untimely death of beloved actress Carrie Fisher. These events necessitated numerous alterations to Trevorrow's script, leading to a creative clash with Lucasfilm.

The official statement by Lucasfilm revealed that the change was mutual, born out of differing visions for the ninth episode of the sequel saga.

The Impact on Eventually Released Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

A handful of elements from Duel of Fates did make it to the final film. An instance is the Sith hologram that Kylo Ren encounters in Mustafar. Regardless, the final product diverged significantly from Trevorrow's original vision.

Since Trevorrow's exit from the project, he expressed how rough it was to leave the film behind. However, he wishes the best for the future of the franchise and continues to contribute to the cinematic universe through other projects.

To date, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is available for stream on Disney+. Fans across the globe can watch and ponder what could have been if Trevorrow had stayed at the helm till the end.