Why Disney’s ‘Star Wars’ Sequels Might Actually Be Better Than the Originals

When Disney acquired Lucasfilm in 2012 and announced a brand-new Star Wars trilogy, expectations were impossibly high.

For many fans, the sequel trilogy represented the chance to finally return to the galaxy far, far away and continue the story of Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Han Solo (Harrison Ford), and Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher) decades after Return of the Jedi (1983).

Instead, the trilogy became one of the most divisive chapters in Star Wars history.

Since The Force Awakens (2015) arrived in theaters, fans have debated whether Disney successfully continued George Lucas’ vision or completely misunderstood what made the original films special.

The original trilogy — A New Hope (1977), The Empire Strikes Back (1980), and Return of the Jedi (1983) — remains beloved for a reason. These movies changed cinema forever, introduced some of the most iconic characters ever created, and established Star Wars as one of the biggest franchises in entertainment. But after years of arguments, there’s another side to this story.

Related: ‘Star Wars’ Reportedly Debuting Harrison Ford’s Han Solo Replacement in 2027

Are the Star Wars Sequels Better Than the Originals?

The sequel trilogy arguably took Star Wars in directions the original films never attempted, particularly when it came to exploring flawed heroes, complicated villains, and the burden of legacy.

Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Darth Vader (James Earl Jones) represented clear archetypes. Luke was the hopeful hero searching for purpose, Han was the selfish smuggler who discovered his heroic side, and Vader was the fallen Jedi who ultimately found redemption.

The sequel trilogy, however, focused on characters struggling with uncertainty rather than simply following a traditional hero’s journey.

Rey (Daisy Ridley) wasn’t just a replacement for Luke Skywalker. Her story centered on abandonment, loneliness, and her desperate search for belonging. Her obsession with discovering where she came from became one of the trilogy’s biggest emotional conflicts.

Meanwhile, Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) became one of the franchise’s most complex characters. Unlike Darth Vader, whose internal conflict was mostly hidden until the final chapter of the original trilogy, Ben Solo’s battle between light and dark was at the heart of his character from the beginning.

He wanted to embrace the dark side, but he also wanted to escape the expectations created by his family legacy. That made Kylo Ren unpredictable in a way few Star Wars villains had been before.

The sequel trilogy also benefited from performances that brought new depth to familiar ideas. Adam Driver’s portrayal of Kylo Ren combined anger, vulnerability, and insecurity, while Daisy Ridley gave Rey emotional weight as she struggled with identity and purpose.

The returning cast also approached their characters from a different perspective. Mark Hamill‘s Luke Skywalker was no longer the optimistic young Jedi from the original trilogy. Instead, he was an older man dealing with failure and regret.

The Last Jedi (2017) was particularly controversial because it challenged the idea that legendary heroes are always capable of living up to their reputations. Rather than simply repeating the conflict between Jedi and Sith, the sequel trilogy questioned what those ideas actually meant.

The original trilogy created the foundation of Star Wars. The sequel trilogy attempted to examine what that legacy meant for a new generation.

Whether fans agree with Disney’s choices or not, the sequels tried something different. And for some fans, that ambition is exactly what makes them the most interesting era of Star Wars.

Which Star Wars trilogy do you prefer? Tell us in the comments below!