Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm sent shockwaves through the Star Wars fandom. Although people were initially reassured by the industry giant that nothing would change for their beloved $10 billion franchise, it proved otherwise. It is now being reported that George Lucas’s original sequel plans never materialized, and instead, Disney churned out Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, which now has its separate hate club!
George Lucas’ Original Vision for the Sequel Trilogy
George Lucas’ original plans for Episodes VII, VIII, and IX of the Skywalker Saga undoubtedly leave many fans feeling frustrated, as they never will have the opportunity to witness these versions come to life. Recently disclosed comments from Lucas, featured in The Star Wars Archives – Episode I – III, 1999 – 2005, (via SFFGazette.com) shed light on his trilogy vision.
In the title A New Threat Emerges, Lucas intended to move away from stormtroopers and focus on the next generation of Skywalkers. The storyline explored a post-Republic galaxy grappling with power struggles, with Darth Maul and his apprentice Darth Talon as central antagonists in the subsequent part called Power Vacuum And Maul’s Return.
Meanwhile, Luke Skywalker embarked on the monumental task of rebuilding the Jedi Order amid a galaxy rife with chaos in the part called Luke Skywalker’s Mission.
At the heart of the narrative was Leia Organa, assuming leadership of the Republic and guiding its restoration. Titled as The Chosen One, Leia’s journey symbolized hope and renewal for the galaxy. Lucas said,
“By the end of the trilogy, Luke would have rebuilt much of the Jedi, and we would have the renewal of the New Republic, with Lela, Senator Organa, becoming the Supreme Chancellor in charge of everything. So she ended up being the Chosen One.”
Despite the relative complexity of the plot, Lucas’s original vision offered fans a fresh perspective on the Star Wars universe, one that delved into themes of legacy, redemption, and the battle between light and dark. And to be honest it does sound more enticing than what the fans received instead, which was Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
How Bad Was The Rise of Skywalker?
The Rise of Skywalker has left a substantial mark of disappointment within the Star Wars franchise, even more so than the divisive The Phantom Menace, a film even George Lucas himself admitted was challenging to digest.
Upon Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm, fans anticipated the realization of Lucas’s outlined nine-episode saga, only to witness a departure from his vision. Instead of a meticulously planned narrative, the sequel trilogy unfolded without a clear direction, resulting in a mishmash of ideas from directors J.J. Abrams and Rian Johnson.
The Rise of Skywalker failed to conclude the saga the way it deserved. Its disjointed storytelling and lack of narrative coherence tarnished the otherwise promising sequel trilogy.
Moreover, the aftermath of the film’s release hinted at a troubled production, with actors expressing visible frustration. The lingering impact of The Rise of Skywalker looms large over the franchise, thus it can be safe to say, they won’t be exploring the characters further in that particular direction. Thus, the film stands as one of the worst ventures within the Star Wars universe.
The Rise of Skywalker is streaming on Disney+.
