Confirmed: Three Ways Disney Is Officially Changing 'Star Wars' Sequel Trilogy, 'Rise of Skywalker' Altered for Good

They say time heals, and five years after the climax of Disney’s Star Wars trilogy, attention is elsewhere. That doesn’t mean it’s now all positive; it’s quite the opposite. 2024 marked the biggest backlash since Rian Johnson’s Episode VIII, when Leslye Headland’s The Acolyte caused a cultural firestorm, leading to its untimely cancellation.

But Disney hasn’t forgotten its first trilogy since acquiring Lucasfilm in 2012—multiple new stories, including an entirely remade version of Episode XI, are now looking to alter the perception of Episodes VII, VIII, and IX.

Half a decade ago, Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker (2019) marked the conclusion of Disney’s Star Wars sequel trilogy. Directed by J.J. Abrams, the film left fans divided with its convoluted twists and rushed resolution.

For Lucasfilm, The Rise of Skywalker signaled the start of a long cinematic drought. Since 2019, the studio has not released a Star Wars movie, with its focus shifting to Disney+ series like The Mandalorian, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Andor, and the recently released Skeleton Crew—all taking place at various points on the timeline and packing in more story (and context) even five decades on.

However, the big-screen dry spell is set to end in 2026 when The Mandalorian creator Jon Favreau brings Din Djarin and Grogu to theaters on May 22 with The Mandalorian and Grogu.

The announcement of Favreau’s movie came as a surprise earlier this year. It wasn’t part of the trio of films unveiled at 2023’s Star Wars Celebration by Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy. At the event, Kennedy revealed that James Mangold, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, and Dave Filoni would each helm new Star Wars projects.

Mangold’s “Dawn of the Jedi” will explore the origins of the Force, while Obaid-Chinoy’s untitled film will bring Daisy Ridley’s Rey Skywalker back into the fold for a post-sequel “New Jedi Order” story. Filoni, Lucasfilm’s Chief Creative Officer, is set to direct a crossover film tying together storylines from the New Republic era and seemingly showing the final showdown with the heroes and Grand Admiral Thrawn (Lars Mikkelsen).

However, beyond the initial announcements, little has been revealed about these projects. Reports of production challenges surrounding the Rey Skywalker movie and the now-confirmed scrapped December 2026 slot have left fans questioning whether the film will come to fruition. After all, Lucasfilm has a less-than-stellar reputation for following through on its slate of announced projects (read: Star Wars: Rogue Squadron).

Adding to the uncertainty is the revelation that Simon Kinberg has been tapped to produce a new Star Wars trilogy. Speculation has swirled that this could mark Episodes X through XII, which would seemingly conflict with earlier assumptions that Obaid-Chinoy’s film would serve as Episode X.

This has fueled rumors that Rey might be shifted from the “New Jedi Order” project into Kinberg’s trilogy. A source close to the studio recently claimed that Ridley’s Rey is considered “the most valuable cinematic asset” the franchise has, signaling her central role in the galaxy’s future.

For Ridley, her journey began with Abrams’ Star Wars: Episode VII–The Force Awakens in 2015. Alongside co-stars John Boyega (Finn), Oscar Isaac (Poe Dameron), and Adam Driver (Kylo Ren/Ben Solo), Ridley earned global recognition for her portrayal of Rey, a scavenger from Jakku thrust into a galactic war.

Over the course of Rian Johnson’s Star Wars: Episode VIII–The Last Jedi (2017) and The Rise of Skywalker, Rey’s arc took her from a mysterious “nobody” to being revealed as Emperor Palpatine’s granddaughter—a divisive twist that many fans and critics saw as emblematic of the trilogy’s inconsistency.

The return of Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) in Episode IX was just one of many contentious creative decisions. The hasty reveal of Rey’s lineage, the controversial relationship between Kylo Ren and Rey, and the introduction of Exegol and the Sith Eternal all drew ire. These elements left The Rise of Skywalker feeling overstuffed and underdeveloped.

Now, with Lucasfilm promising a remake and a slate of new stories on the horizon, the studio appears determined to win back the trust of its audience. Whether these efforts will reignite the magic of Star Wars or further muddy its legacy remains to be seen. For now, fans can only hope that this new era of Star Wars storytelling delivers a saga worth celebrating.

Here are the three ways that Disney is altering its Star Wars sequel trilogy.

The Battle of Jakku Will Change the Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens

While much of the franchise buzz centers on live-action projects, Marvel Comics quietly unveiled a thrilling new Star Wars trilogy set during the New Republic era. This ambitious series brings back iconic characters like Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Mon Mothma while diving deep into one of the most pivotal moments in Star Wars lore.

Launched on October 2, 2024, the trilogy kicked off with a four-issue series titled “Insurgency Rising”. This chapter sets the stage for a saga Marvel describes as “the legendary battle that bridges the Star Wars trilogies.” The action continued in November with “Republic Under Siege,” promising an explosive narrative that reshapes how fans view the galaxy’s tumultuous transition from the Galactic Empire to the New Republic.

The trilogy’s main focus is the Battle of Jakku, a climactic confrontation first teased in The Force Awakens. “Three limited series will tell the story of the Battle of Jakku, the epic final battle of the Galactic Civil War, and the saga that is one of the key events set between the original trilogy and the sequel trilogy,” Marvel.com shares.

This marks the first time in canon history that the battle will be fully explored, making the series essential for fans eager to dive deeper into Star Wars history.

Marvel elaborates on the battle’s significance, saying, “First introduced in The Force Awakens as Rey scavenged amongst its wreckage, the Battle of Jakku was a pivotal turning point for the galaxy. On the sandy dunes of Jakku, the remnants of the Empire made their desperate last stand after their secret base was discovered by the Rebellion, who were determined to destroy them once and for all so that the New Republic can thrive!”

Written by Alex Segura, the trilogy promises to “reframe the aftermath of the Battle of Endor and introduce a new, menacing threat that will keep our heroes guessing.” Segura emphasizes that the creative team aims to ensure this story stands shoulder-to-shoulder with other tales from the era, adding, “As the Empire collapses, a new darkness arises!”

With “Republic Under Siege” having been released on November 20, following the finale of “Insurgency Rising” on November 6, and “The Last Stand” commencing on December 25, this trilogy is shaping up to be a must-read for Star Wars enthusiasts.

A New Sequel to The Last Jedi

Fans are invited to delve deeper into the conflicted legacy of Kylo Ren, a character whose journey remains one of the most divisive and compelling threads of the Skywalker Saga.

Kylo Ren, brought to life by Adam Driver, burst onto the scene in The Force Awakens as the Supreme Leader of the First Order. Alongside the cunning yet petulant General Hux (Domhnall Gleeson), Ren sought to obliterate the Resistance and cement his place in galactic history.

However, over the course of the trilogy, his inner turmoil unraveled, culminating in his redemptive arc as Ben Solo. In The Rise of Skywalker, Ren abandoned the dark side, joining forces with Rey (Ridley) to confront the sinister Emperor Palpatine (McDiarmid) and the Sith Eternal.

Despite its conclusion, Kylo Ren’s story still holds untapped potential, and Lucasfilm intends to explore it further with “Star Wars: The Legacy of Vader.” This upcoming comic series, penned by Charles Soule and illustrated by Luke Ross, promises to delve into Ren’s obsession with Darth Vader, the Sith Lord who cast an indelible shadow over his grandson’s life.

As StarWars.com explains:

“Written by Charles Soule, who previously penned “Star Wars: The Rise of Kylo Ren” and “Star Wars: Darth Vader – Dark Lord of the Sith,” among others, the story begins with a journey to Mustafar, where Ren will descend into Vader’s castle. Later issues will take Kylo to the familiar sands of Tatooine as he tries to unlock the secrets of his family’s past.”

Set between the events of The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker, this series offers a vital bridge in the Star Wars timeline, shedding light on Kylo Ren’s role as Supreme Leader of the First Order. Soule, a seasoned Star Wars storyteller, shared his perspective on this new endeavor:

“When fans talk to me about my Star Wars work, two of my Marvel comic runs come up more than almost anything else: my 2017 run on “Darth Vader” with Giuseppe Camuncoli and my 2019 series “The Rise of Kylo Ren” with Will Sliney.”

“I think both of those worked so well in part because they were set in parts of the Star Wars timeline full of unanswered questions about characters the audience really loves,” the writer added. “This new series is not just a combination of those two books, but also a chance to explore an extremely rich section of the timeline that’s almost entirely open: Kylo Ren’s time as Supreme Leader of the First Order.”

The narrative unfolds after Kylo Ren’s patricide, his tumultuous bond with Rey, and the demise of Supreme Leader Snoke. Soule describes Ren at this point as “deeply unstable, angry, frustrated… dangerous,” driven by an insatiable desire for guidance.

This leads him to the dark echoes of his grandfather’s Sith legacy: “He’s looking for any form of guidance he can get–even if he won’t admit it–and so he turns to just about the only thing he’s got left, the legacy of his grandfather, the Sith Lord Darth Vader.”

Kylo Ren’s final moments in The Rise of Skywalker saw him perish on Exegol after a climactic battle against Palpatine and the Knights of Ren. His death and redemption left fans divided, echoing the polarizing reception of Disney’s sequel trilogy as a whole.

However, “The Legacy of Vader” aims to enrich Kylo Ren’s character, offering fresh insights into his actions and psyche. As this new chapter unfolds, it may reshape how audiences perceive the conflicted anti-hero and his ultimate fate in the galaxy far, far away.

The Rise of Skywalker Reimagined

Since its release in 2019, The Rise of Skywalker has divided fans, with many craving deeper explanations for its most enigmatic plot points. Over time, the galaxy far, far away has expanded upon these mysteries through various canon mediums, including novels, companion books, and animated series.

One notable revelation came from Marc Sumerak’s “Star Wars: The Secrets of the Sith” (2021), which clarified the creation and purpose of Supreme Leader Snoke (Andy Serkis). Meanwhile, Dave Filoni’s The Bad Batch solidified Emperor Palpatine’s Force-sensitive cloning ambitions as a critical part of Star Wars lore.

Now, fans are poised for another exploration of the saga’s climactic chapter. A newly announced comic adaptation of The Rise of Skywalker promises to deliver a more comprehensive take on the film. “Written by Jody Houser and drawn by artist Will Sliney, the previously-announced five-issue limited series brings 2019’s Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker film to the page at last,” Marvel.com revealed.

“In addition to retelling the Resistance’s desperate last stand, the shocking return of Emperor Palpatine, and more, the series will include all new scenes not in the final film.”

The series debuts in February 2025, the same month Charles Soule’s “Star Wars: The Legacy of Vader” arrives. As stated earlier, the comic delves into Kylo Ren’s obsession with his grandfather, Darth Vader, and is set between The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker.

While it’s unclear how much new material the comic will introduce, fans can expect it to build on the insights offered by Rae Carson’s 2020 novelization. One thing is certain: Star Wars has mastered the art of enhancing its saga with fresh layers of context. “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Adaptation #1” hits shelves on February 26, 2025.

Will you be consuming any of these new additions to the Star Wars franchise? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!