Nearly six years afterStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalkerwas released, some in the fanbase are still hoping theStar Warssequel trilogy will be retconned to no longer be canon, butStar Wars’TV shows andStar Wars’upcoming moviesare already proving that will never happen. TheStar Warssequels proved to be particularly controversial amongStar Warsmovies and TV shows, and many still consider them to be some ofStar Wars’worst movies. AlthoughStar Wars: The Force Awakensinitially opened to some positive reception, the trilogy became more criticized from there.
ParticularlyThe Rise of Skywalkerhad audiences outraged, which was especially true in light ofPalpatine’s resurrectionin the movie. Because so many in the fanbase weren’t pleased with how the sequels went, some fans have been calling for the sequels to be retconned so that they are no longer canon for years. Although some are convincedStar Warsis considering this very possibility,the future of theStar Warsfranchise makes it clear that the three sequel movies are here to stay in the canon.
Some In The Fanbase Are Still Calling For The Sequels To Be Retconned
Some Fans Are Hoping The Sequels Will Be De-Canonized
The sequel trilogy was already getting off on the wrong foot in the eyes of some in the fanbase becauseThe Force Awakenswas Disney’s first attempt at aStar Warsmovie. George Lucas' decision to sell off his beloved franchise to this major media corporation was immediately controversial, and this began much of the current discourse aboutStar Warsbeing ‘ruined.’ When the sequels then went on to make choices like Luke Skywalker exiling himself on Ahch-To and all three original trilogy heroes dying, the outcry only grew louder.
Because of this,one prominent theory has long been thatStar Warsnew shows and movies will somehow de-canonize the sequels. Among the theories regarding how this could happen is the idea that the sequels take place in an alternate timeline, perhaps viathe World Between Worlds. Arguably, weirder things have happened in the franchise (after all, much of this controversy has to do with the fact that somehow Palpatine returned), but theStar Warsshows released sinceThe Rise of Skywalkerhardly suggest that the sequels are about to be relegated to Legends.
Star Wars TV Shows Have Explored The Period Before The Sequel Trilogy
Shows Like The Mandalorian, Ahsoka, And The Book Of Boba Fett Are Bridging The Trilogies
Many of Disney’sStar Warsshows have taken place in the New Republic Era, the period between the original trilogy and the sequel trilogy intheStar Warstimeline. This is true ofThe Mandalorian, largely considered one ofStar Wars’best TV shows, as well asThe Book of Boba FettandAhsoka. Presumably, based on this timeline, these shows will in part be bridging these two trilogies. While that work hasn’t exactly been made explicit, such as incorporating the sequel trilogy’s main characters in some capacity, they seem to be setting the stage for the sequels.
For example, bothThe MandalorianandThe Book of Boba Fettshowed Luke Skywalker recruiting for and establishing his Jedi Temple—the same Jedi Temple shown inThe Last Jedi.The officialStar Warswebsiteconfirmed this is the same temple, stating the following:
“We’ve glimpsed Luke’s storied temple in comic books and on film, although to be fair it was mostly rubble and flame inStar Wars: The Last Jedi. Now, we turn back the clock to see the new Jedi school at its inception, with ant droids working hard to place every stone on the first humble hut.”
Subtler examples includethe Imperial remnantand the discordance between the senators of the New Republic shown inAhsoka, both of which could hint towards the uprising of the First Order. Even the return of Grand Admiral Thrawn could indicate how the First Order gets its start, although that remains to be seen.
Lucasfilm Is Clearly Planning To Build Upon The Sequels, Not Retcon Them
Rey Is Already Part Of Star Wars' Next Era
The much more glaring proof that the sequel trilogy is here to stay is Rey’s involvement in several upcomingStar Warsmovies. In addition to her own upcoming movie, rumored to be titledStar Wars: New Jedi Order, Simon Kinberg’sStar Warstrilogy will reportedly see Rey in an ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ role. Both of these projects therefore suggest that the future ofStar Warswill build upon, not do away with, the sequels.
Both of these projects therefore suggest that the future ofStar Warswill build upon, not do away with, the sequels.
It also just doesn’t make sense for Disney to make this choice. In a sense, this would imply they’d done a poor job, which a major corporation like Disney is unlikely to do. There’s simply no benefit to the franchise shouldStar Warsdecide to retcon the sequel trilogy from a credibility standpoint, not to mention what this could mean financially in terms of the Disney parks, future shows and movies, etc. While some may be holding out hope, it’s incredibly unlikely if not impossible that theStar Warssequel trilogy will be retconned out of canon.
