The Star Wars universe is host to a multitude of stories involving a rich variety of characters, and yet the most notable and dominant one involves the Skywalker lineage. Many fans have recently voiced their concern about this overemphasis on the Skywalker family in the Star Wars franchise, which makes sense.
There’s a staggering amount of material to mine in the Star Wars universe, and yet a plethora of titles detail the Skywalkers: the original and prequel Star Wars trilogy revolve around both Luke and Anakin Skywalker respectively, and the sequel trilogy also revolves around the impact of the Skywalker lineage as well. Luke and, especially, his sister Leia, are an important part of the recent Obi-Wan Kenobi series, and multiple cartoons like The Clone Wars and Forces of Destiny prominently feature the Skywalkers, not to mention the countless Star Wars video games and books (a major LEGO game is even called The Skywalker Saga).
With more and more new Star Wars content in development or currently being released, the time is ripe for the franchise to move on from the Skywalker line and branch out into more dynamic and exciting territories. Here’s a breakdown of where the incoming flux of Star Wars material could and should go.
A New Set of Star Wars Characters
While much of the appeal of Star Wars is our connection to established fan-favorite characters, it’s difficult to continue to create new and fresh material given how much has already been explored with many of our protagonists. Many fans feel the Skywalker arc has come to a natural close and are eager to see some new faces explored thoroughly. The success of series such as The Mandalorian proves that fans are ready to visit corners of the Star Wars universe that are new and diverse (though even that show brought in Luke Skywalker).
In the animated series department, shows such as The Bad Batch and Rebels also highlight how fans are receptive to exploring storylines that aren’t immediately connected to the Skywalker arc. With the positive reception to these series, it’s safe to say fans are ready to engage with new characters within the Star Wars universe, which is full of endless storytelling possibilities.
The Skywalker Arc Has Run Its Course
After three movie trilogies worth of Skywalkers, it’s not a surprise that the Star Wars franchise has all but exhausted the family’s arc. Anakin, Luke, Leia, Ben, Kol, Nat (Rawk), and the honorary Skywalker Rey have been explored throughout tons of comics, book, series, games, and films; the bulk of their individual arcs have more or less been deeply resolved or, at least, discussed.
With the arcs of the trilogies having had their natural resolution, attempts to add a coda to them has at times felt at odds with the franchise’s need for progression. A common criticism of the post-sequel trilogy material is its reliance on the Skywalker arc at times. With many fans feeling that the trilogies have reached their fitting conclusion, it’s time for the franchise to acknowledge that the Skywalker arc has reached its organic end.
We’ve Seen These Star Wars Before
With a franchise as long-running as Star Wars, there’s bound to be some repetition, especially so when dealing with the same roster of characters. A common critique regarding the sequel trilogy was how many moments seemed derivative of past films such as A New Hope and Empire Strikes Back. By moving forward from the Skywalker tree, fans of the franchise can look forward to new and exciting material that hasn’t been as rehashed.
Certain things have just been done to death — Darth Vader, the trope of an imperial defecting to the rebellion, the overreliance on Mandalore and Tattooine, the weird fascination with siblings, and the constancy of limbs being lost. While nods to the original trilogy feel welcome, it appears most fans are ready to enter a whole new chapter in the Star Wars universe. By putting the Skywalker arc to bed, fans can truly expect something different for a change.
Quit While You’re Ahead, Skywalker
There’s the old adage that sometimes it’s best to quit while you’re ahead, and that certainly applies to an arc that’s more than run its course. In the realm of Star Wars, many tropes have been used to the fullest, and the Skywalker arc has certainly reached a crescendo. While many fans have fond memories of the originals and even for some the prequels, for some, recent attempts with exploring the Skywalker arc have had diminishing returns.
With so much room to explore in the franchise, it’s safe to say many fans have had their fill of the chosen one narrative. Judging by the current direction of the Star Wars live-action series, it’s apparent that fans are ready to embrace change especially with series such as The Mandalorian becoming popular, and the anticipation around the Disney+ series Ahsoka seems to concur. With such a vast galaxy to explore, it’s time for the force to be strong with some new narrative possibilities.
