Star Wars 9 reviews: Richard E Grant delivers emotional first reaction to The Rise of Skywalker

The cast of Star Wars have just watched new film The Rise of Skywalker – and emotions are running high.

On Monday (2 December), John Boyega revealed he would soon be watching JJ Abrams’ final chapter in the space saga, and now Richard E Grant – who joins the franchise in Episode IX – shared his verdict of the film on Twitter.

“I’ve just seen Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and nothing prepares you for this,” he said. “I cheered, I shouted, I fist-pumped the air, I cried, I stood and cheered. It’s absolutely everything you hoped it was going to be.”

He continued: “I’m so proud to be in it and I can’t wait for you to see it.”

In the new film, Grant plays Allegiant General Pryde, a high-ranking general in the First Order. He’s joined by new cast additions Keri Russell, Naomi Ackie and Lost actor Dominic Monaghan.

Boyega returns as Finn in the new film, alongside Daisy Ridley’​s Rey and Oscar Isaac’​s Poe Dameron.

Abrams returns as director following 2015’s The Force Awakens. He recently told Total Film that it was Rian Johnson’s work on The Last Jedi that enabled him to take more risks in the new film.

Star Wars 9 will undoubtedly feature plenty of surprises for fans that have been waiting years for the final chapter in the new trilogy, but one twist may have been revealed courtesy of a deleted tweet.

The post in question came from the official Disneyland account. Fortunately, a keen-eyed fan was on hand to screenshot the message, which seems to be even more evidence that a former character will return in the new film.

Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker is released 19 December.