Can We Expect a Successful Star Wars Sequel Trilogy After The Rise of Skywalker?

Since the release of The Rise of Skywalker in 2019, fans of the Star Wars franchise have been left with a sense of mixed emotions. While the final film managed to conclude the cinematic saga, it also raised some questions about the potential for future sequels. Many had hoped for a fresh start, but the franchise faces significant challenges:

The Challenges Faced by the Sequel Trilogy

Fixing the Original Trilogy and Prequels: When Disney acquired Lucasfilm, they agreed to preserve the original trilogy as it was—a deal that has had its implications. The remastered version of the original trilogy was both celebrated for its improved quality and mourned by fans who clung to the nostalgia of the original 35mm theatrical release. Similarly, the prequels, with their often criticized performance from The Phantom Menace to the balanced narratives of The Clone Wars series, have left a lasting stain on the franchise's heritage.

Lessons from Other Franchises

Star Trek: Final Consequences vs. Nemesis: Familiar with the pitfalls, other franchises have learned from their experiences. For the Star Trek franchise, the lessons from Star Trek 5: The Final Frontier in 1989 and the subsequent flop Star Trek: Nemesis in 2002 are clear. The best approach was to pick up the pieces and start afresh. This is evidenced by the popular series Andor and recently renewed series like Ashoka, which focus on pre-A New Hope stories where stakes are not tied to major plot holes. Similarly, Kenobi has tackled a significant gap left by Revenge of the Sith, a move that has resonated well with critics and audiences alike.

Focusing on the Fringes: A Successful Strategy

The Mandalorian and ‘Moff Gideon’s Villainy: One of the most successful approaches to storytelling in the current era has been the focus on the periphery. Characters and events that are not directly tied to the main narrative can still capture the audience's imagination. The Mandalorian, with Moff Gideon as a central antagonist, has not only been visually stunning but has maintained a level of storytelling that is disconnected from immediate aftermath tragedies, allowing it to be enjoyed as light but meaningful content. This fluff is essential in maintaining the franchise's appeal without reopening old wounds.

Expanding the Franchise Scope

The Future After Return of the Jedi: Moving forward, staying within the immediate post-Return of the Jedi timeframe or any event leading up to it provides a clear narrative path. The well-executed Rogue One and Solo exemplify this approach, functioning well as sequels to the main trilogy by avoiding direct, high-stakes storytelling that could have destroyed the coherence and integrity of the characters and themes.

Handling Incidental TV Shows

Contradictions and Tone-Down Efforts: While there are still incidents of bad media, such as Clone Wars, Rebels, Ahsoka, Bad Batch, these are incidental TV shows that do not intrude on the films. Although they contradict the final films, lower stakes and tone-down efforts minimize the impact on the overall franchise.

Conclusion

While the future of Star Wars seems ripe with potential, careful storytelling is crucial. Managing fan expectations and maintaining the integrity of the franchise requires a strategic approach. Focusing on peripheral storytelling, avoiding high stakes until the time is right, and ensuring that incidental media does not disrupt the main narrative can pave the way for a successful sequel trilogy. The path forward is clear: create narratives that build and enhance, rather than detract from, the rich tapestry of the Star Wars universe.