Star Wars: 10 Things Fans Would Change About The Rise of Skywalker
The Rise of Skywalker came out to mixed reviews when it hit theatres back in December 2019. Charged with the task of providing a satisfying ending to the story that started back in 1977, JJ Abrams got heroes Rey, Finn and Poe back to tackle Kylo Ren one last time. And of course Emperor Palpatine, who was brought back from the dead.
But while it had it's moments, many felt it should have been different. So here are 10 things fans would change if it was the audience rather than Disney calling the shots.
10 The Jibing
What made original trilogy heroes Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, Han Solo so special was their willingness to support each other, despite the huge threat of the Empire. While the trio would sometimes have some petty squabbles, arguments were always put aside immediately for the greater good.
But Rey, Poe, Finn and C3-PO just constantly bicker. It was the first time we'd seen them all on the same adventure, yet their relationship isn't fun to watch. They don't feel like friends, and that's because they can never find an agreement. Episode IX would have flowed better if they'd done that.
9 The Knights Of Ren
Shortly before The Force Awakens, Disney teased a mysterious group of cool looking characters named the Knights of Ren. It looked like they'd have something to do with new villain Kylo Ren, but they didn't appear - and were then overlooked in The Last Jedi.
Given their potential, they obviously should have been used more, rather than just capturing Chewbacca, watching their leader fix his mask, and getting slaughtered by Ben Solo near the end. Instead they felt like the Praetorian Guards in the previous film, who existed merely to die.
8 Give A Palpatine Explanation
At first it was thrilling when it was revealed Emperor Palpatine would be returning from the dead for the final movie of the Skywalker saga. It was a little admittedly bizarre and slightly insulting to Return of the Jedi, but there was a belief that Disney would come up with a sufficient explanation.
Or at least any explanation. This didn't happen, with the movie instead relying on hints towards cloning and dark magic. He appeared to stand little chance of survival following his fall down the Death Star chute, but this seemingly wasn't worth talking about, which is a crying shame.
7 More Kijimi
The Rise of Skywalker was a rather nostalgic affair. There was a brand new desert planet in the form of Pasana, which was an obvious throwback to Tatooine and Jakku that had come before. But Kijimi should have gotten some time in the spotlight, or moonlight, instead.
It was a location unlike anything anyone had ever seen before, and it's where an absorbing battle between Kylo Ren and Rey takes place - which results in the shattering of Darth Vader's old mask. With it's snowy night skies and medieval streets, the setting looks like something from a fairy tale. And that's not something normally associated with Star Wars.
6 Force Healing
While on Pasana, Rey comes face to face with a sandworm. When she sees the creature is injured, however, she uses a new power never seen on the big screen before: Force Healing.
Yet while it's a handy trick to have, it's somewhat infuriating at the same time. After all, why didn't the likes of Yoda, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Luke Skywalker, Mace Windu, Anakin Skywalker, and many others use it? Is Rey more powerful than all of those characters? It undoes much of what's gone in the saga previously.
5 General Hux's Death
General Hux was one of the most impressive characters in The Force Awakens, with the First Order supremo compared to Grand Moff Tarkin in the aftermath of the blockbuster's release. He regressed in The Last Jedi, though, being thrown around like a toy by Supreme Leader Snoke and being force-choked by Kylo Ren.
After that, it was always a matter of time until Hux would bite the dust. All signs pointed to Kylo doing the deed because of the groundwork that had gone in before, but it wasn't to be, with new character General Allegiant Pryde shooting him after discovering he'd been acting as a spy for the Resistance.
4 Finn's Secret
One of the early trailers for TFA showed John Boyega's Finn wielding the famous Skywalker lightsaber in the woods of Starkiller Base. This led to many thinking he'd go on to become a Jedi, however, after his fight with Kylo Ren, he never picks up the iconic weapon again.
Throughout The Rise of Skywalker it's heavily implied that he, like Rey, is Force-sensitive. But, much like the Palpatine thing, this is something that should have been clarified for the audience. He doesn't tell anybody about it even when quizzed by the likes of Poe Dameron and Jannah, and the film concludes with nobody getting the answer they wanted.
3 More Force Ghosts
It was great to see Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher appear as Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa in the final chapter of their story. But Disney should have upped the ante considerably.
As well as Luke and Leia, heroes like Yoda, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Mace Windu, and Anakin Skywalker could have all popped up to help take down Palpatine. Their voices are heard, but that's not the same.
2 Ben Solo Death
For a brief moment at the end of The Rise of Skywalker, it looked as if all would end happily ever after. Ben Solo brought Rey back from the dead and the duo shared a kiss, pleasing Reylo fans across the world in the process. However, in a devastating twist, Ben then dies.
He had to suffer some punishment for his previous crimes, but killing him has proven to be a contentious decision, with many fans up in arms. There have been rumors about a possible return, similar to what happened with Darth Maul, but the villain-turned-hero is gone for good as things stand.
1 A Meaningful Sacrifice
While Ben Solo probably should have been spared, Disney should have killed off or changed at least one character just to give the movie more emotional weight, rather than just nostalgia.
They had their chances. Chewbacca looked to be gone, but the Wookiee survived. C-3PO had lost all of his memories for a second time, but that too was reversed. And Rey appeared to die in her attempt to stop Emperor Palpatine on Exegol. Unfortunately they settled for only Kylo Ren's death, despite him being arguably the best character of the sequel trilogy.