In this new sequel, it’s up to Rey to make a decision that will shape the next generation of Jedi. Considering everything we know about the timeline of “Star Wars” and the eternal struggle between dark and light, and what Rey has learned from Luke and her failures in “The Last Jedi,” the conclusion to Rey’s story makes most sense is to abandon the old Jedi way and will create a new, healthier path. If Rey’s movie is a worthy final word to her story, she’ll have to answer tough questions about material and systemic change.
But of course, there’s a lot to be desired from a franchised blockbuster studio. While a more interesting and narratively satisfying choice, it directly runs counter to Lucasfilm’s corporate interests. With three movies announced at “Star Wars Celebration” and tons of Disney+ franchises, the fate of the “Star Wars” universe will only continue to expand and add to the timeline. Why create a definitive ending for Rey and her story when the “New Jedi” era has endless potential for spin-offs, sequels, and universe expansion?
As a passionate fan of the sequel trilogy, I’d love for a sequel to deliver on all its wasted promises and breathe new life into the often-villained era of the series, but sadly, the logline of this eponymous Rey movie only adds more to the creative tension that the sequel trilogy suffers from. It signals too much – bold creative risks undermined by mass-market storytelling.
Rebuilding the Jedi Order is futile, but once you put franchising first, it’s one of the only ways “Star Wars” can last.