Top Disney Star Wars Decisions that Hurt the Franchise Forever

rather than just trying to reheat elements of the original trilogy for fan approval. Instead of adapting fan theories or sticking to a safe, pre-approved script, Rian Johnson took huge risks with his film. Subverting audience expectations is always a risky move, and some fans did not appreciate it.
But Disney’s response was telling. Instead of backing up Johnson, they essentially threw him under the bus to preserve the image of the film with the most fan-service appeal — “The Rise of Skywalker.” “The Last Jedi” threw in a big Lore Dump at the feet of Star Wars enthusiasts, telling them the universe isn’t quite as small as they expected, that heroes and villains can be more ambiguous than just light and dark… and then immediately blunted that impact by having Rey be effectively a Skywalker after all.
Later reveals that key elements of “The Last Jedi” were backpedaled on in “The Rise of Skywalker” only solidified this narrative. The former film was simply a misstep to be glossed over, while the latter was the ultimate conclusion of the tale.
Unfortunately, this maneuver painted both films into a corner. “The Last Jedi” couldn’t be redeemed, and “The Rise of Skywalker” wound up an unsatisfying conclusion to a differently flavored narrative. Each side dragging down the other, both films had a large share of vocal critics and die-hard fans that still duked it out long into the night on internet forums.

Failing to understand the theme of the Force

Lucasfilm/Disney

The Force is the backdrop of the “Star Wars” universe. It binds together every aspect of every story. Without the Force, there is no “Star Wars.”
Disney seems to have had a hard time grasping this fundamental aspect of the franchise. The sequel trilogy, in particular, suffers most from an unclear understanding of what the Force is and how it relates to the story.
In “The Force Awakens,” the Force is always a shadowy, unknowable force being used by characters who don’t really understand it. In “The Last Jedi,” the Force is many things — a light, a dark, a guide to the future, and a history book full of tragedies. And in “The Rise of Skywalker,” the Force is … palpatine, and several unforgettable moments of Rey saying “Be with me.”
The theme of the Force is muddled throughout all three films. It’s used to connect characters and to create exciting set pieces, but it’s never explored thematically as it was in past entries of the saga. The relationship between the Jedi and the Sith also becomes blurred as characters float back and forth between the two ideologies like cocktail party guests unsure of which punch bowl to visit first.
The Force, if it’s to be a captivating part of the “Star Wars” universe, needs to be recognized as a grounding element that influences every decision a character makes. It cannot simply be a plot device or a cool ability reserved for the chosen few. The Force is the story, not an afterthought.