Summary
- Disney’s updates to the Skywalker family tree in Star Wars have reshaped the Skywalker Saga forever.
- The sequel trilogy introduced new Skywalkers like Ben Solo but ended the saga with his death.
- Disney clarified the Chosen One prophecy, finally revealing exactly what the prophecy said.
The Skywalker Saga has dominated Star Wars from the very beginning, but since Disney bought the franchise in 2012, some major updates have been made to the Skywalker family tree. Star Wars movies and TV shows began with the story of the Skywalkers in the original trilogy, and although the universe expanded considerably, the prequel and sequel trilogies were still largely about the Skywalker family. In fact, even as the Star Wars timeline has explored brand-new eras, the Skywalkers continue to be some of Star Wars’ most influential and important characters.
Because of that, even recent Star Wars shows, such as Obi-Wan Kenobi and Ahsoka, have provided updates to the Skywalkers. In light of these updates, it’s clear Disney Star Wars has truly reshaped the Skywalker Saga and the Skywalker family legacy forever. Here are 10 major changes that have been made to the Skywalker Saga since Disney purchased Star Wars.
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10 Disney Released The Sequel Trilogy Saga
Disney Star Wars’ Sequels Were Controversial, But They Changed The Skywalkers Forever
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The sequel trilogy was extremely controversial in the franchise, and many still perceive the sequels as some of Star Wars’ worst movies. Nevertheless, the sequels did provide numerous updates to the Skywalker Saga. For one, the sequels saw the return of Luke Skywalker and Leia to Star Wars. Unfortunately, the storyline for Luke Skywalker was one of the most contentious aspects of the sequel trilogy, as he was not the mighty Jedi Master many expected but rather had turned away from the Jedi and the galaxy.
The sequels also saw the introduction of a brand-new Skywalker: Ben Solo, the son of Leia and Han Solo. His story also proved particularly interesting, as he was in many ways following in his grandfather’s footsteps. In fact, Ben Solo/Kylo Ren specifically replicated Darth Vader’s appearance and goals, mirroring Vader’s original trilogy arc quite closely. Most significantly, though, the sequel trilogy saw the death of the Skywalkers, bringing the Skywalker Saga to an end in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
9 Disney Defined The Chosen One Prophecy At Last
Anakin Skywalker Truly Was The Chosen One
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Since Disney purchased Star Wars, the Chosen One prophecy has also finally been defined more clearly. The notion of the Chosen One was introduced in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, when Qui-Gon Jinn, and then the other Jedi of the Council, believed Anakin to be the Chosen One. However, the exact prophecy was not yet defined; the prequels only nodded toward what this prophecy included, such as the belief that Anakin was meant to destroy the Sith.
However, the book Star Wars: Master & Apprentice by Claudia Gray finally identified the exact prophecy. The book stated, “A Chosen One shall come, born of no father, and through him will ultimate balance in the Force be restored.” This is significant for several reasons. For one, it confirms that Anakin, not Luke, is the Chosen One, despite speculation to the contrary in the franchise. For another, it reveals how much was left up to interpretation. The Jedi took this prophecy to mean Anakin would bring an end to the Sith, although that’s not exactly what the prophecy says.
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8 Disney Continued Anakin Skywalker’s Story After The OT
Hayden Christensen Returned In Obi-Wan Kenobi And Ahsoka
To the delight of many Star Wars fans, Disney Star Wars has also seen the return of Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker multiple times. Christensen first reprised his role after several years away from the franchise in Obi-Wan Kenobi, in which he played both Darth Vader during the Dark Times and, briefly, Anakin as a Padawan in a flashback sequence. However, Christensen had a much more prominent role as Anakin Skywalker in Ahsoka.
In the Ahsoka show, Christensen appeared in two capacities. First, he appeared in the World Between Worlds, which allowed his former Padawan, Ahsoka Tano, to come to terms with what had happened both to Anakin and to their relationship. This proved to be an absolutely thrilling update for both characters, although particularly Ahsoka, who left this encounter finally ready to accept the label of a Jedi. Excitingly, though, Christensen then returned at the very end of the show as a Force ghost, suggesting that he could even make an appearance again in the upcoming Ahsoka season 2.
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7 The Skywalker Bloodline Officially Ended
The Skywalker Bloodline Died With Ben Solo
Tragically, not only did Luke and Leia die in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, but also, the last of the Skywalker bloodline died with them. Ben Solo, despite turning back to the light side of the Force, died in The Rise of Skywalker. In fact, solidifying that he truly had turned away from the dark side, Ben gave his life to save Rey, using the Force to heal her but draining his own life in the process. This came as a surprise, even with Star Wars confirming that The Rise of Skywalker would bring an end to the Skywalker Saga.
The title of the movie itself had implied that Ben Solo would be victorious in the sequel trilogy’s final installment, although the title ended up having a different meaning entirely. Ben’s death was also a massive disappointment for a number of reasons, including how rushed it was and the fact that he died without any of his relatives appearing by his side as Force ghosts. Nevertheless, this marks a massive change Disney Star Wars made to the Skywalkers, as their story is now truly over in the franchise.
This marks a massive change Disney
Star Wars
made to the Skywalkers, as their story is now truly over in the franchise.
6 Leia Was Confirmed To Have The Force
The Sequel Trilogy Finally Confirmed Leia’s Force Abilities
Leia had an interesting arc in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, to say the least, but Leia was also confirmed to have the Force in the sequel movies. Specifically, in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Leia (controversially) used the Force to survive out in space and float her way back to the safety of her ship. While that was an odd moment in the franchise, as not even the Chosen One himself had pulled off such a Force feat, it was wonderful to finally see Star Wars confirm Leia’s Force-sensitivity.
The original trilogy had dropped several major hints that Leia had the Force, from Leia sensing Luke at the end of The Empire Strikes Back to Yoda seemingly referencing Leia when he said there was another. However, Leia’s Force abilities were never really shown on screen. The sequel trilogy changed that, with Leia’s past as a Jedi and her role as Rey’s Jedi Master confirmed in The Rise of Skywalker.
5 Leia And Obi-Wan Kenobi’s Connection Was Revealed
Obi-Wan Kenobi Finally Explained Why Leia Named Her Son After Obi-Wan
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Although Leia had sent her distress message to Obi-Wan Kenobi in A New Hope, it nevertheless seemed odd that Leia would name her son, Ben, after Obi-Wan’s alias when he was in hiding on Tatooine. In fact, in Legends, it was Luke who had a son named Ben, and this made considerably more sense in light of Obi-Wan’s mentorship role in Luke’s life. However, Obi-Wan Kenobi finally explained why Leia felt such a connection to Obi-Wan, and it was a wonderful update to the Skywalker Saga.
In the Obi-Wan Kenobi show, Obi-Wan was sent on a mission to rescue Princess Leia after she had been kidnapped at just 10 years old. Not only did Obi-Wan save her, but also, the two became very close, with Obi-Wan even revealing more about Anakin and Padmé to Leia, who previously had no information about her birth parents. Finally, it was clear why Obi-Wan meant so much to Leia, and this confirmation came in what was a very touching story.
4 Disney Revealed More About Luke And Leia’s Upbringings
Luke And Leia Were Confirmed To Have Loving Adoptive Families
In addition to revealing why Leia had such a connection to Obi-Wan, Obi-Wan Kenobi showed a bit more about Luke and Leia’s home lives with their adoptive families. Although A New Hope had shown a bit of the dynamic between Luke, Aunt Beru, and Uncle Owen, Leia’s relationship with Bail and Breha Organa had never truly been seen on-screen. Happily, Obi-Wan Kenobi confirmed that both Luke and Leia were truly loved by their adoptive parents.
In Leia’s case, Obi-Wan Kenobi depicted Leia’s relationship with Bail Organa, who clearly worked very hard to make Leia feel loved and welcome in the Organa family. Bail even told her that she was “an Organa in every way,” which was a beautiful moment between father and daughter. Luke, too, was shown in a loving home. Although Uncle Owen was much gruffer than Bail Organa, the fierceness with which he and Aunt Beru fought to save Luke from Reva proved how loved he was, and Owen’s description of Luke as ‘his own’ was incredibly moving.
3 Disney Brought Back Anakin’s Force Ghost
Ahsoka Season 1 Ended With The Return Of Anakin’s Force Ghost
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As mentioned, Anakin Skywalker returned as a Force ghost in the Ahsoka finale, although this felt quite different from Anakin’s Force ghost cameo in Return of the Jedi. While Anakin seemed to be a passive observer in Return of the Jedi, his appearance in Ahsoka suggested he might become a much more active Force ghost, such as Luke Skywalker and Master Yoda were in The Rise of Skywalker. In fact, since the original trilogy, Star Wars has made massive updates to what Force ghosts can do.
Since the original trilogy,
Star Wars
has made massive updates to what Force ghosts can do.
This could have thrilling implications for Hayden Christensen’s Star Wars future. While the Skywalkers might all be dead, that doesn’t mean they can’t return in different forms. Clearly, Anakin’s Force ghost is watching over Ahsoka on Peridea. Now, with Ahsoka season 2 impending, Anakin may return yet again, perhaps becoming even more involved in the story.
2 The Skywalker Name Will Continue On
Rey Took On The Last Name Skywalker In Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker
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Although the Skywalker bloodline ended with Ben Solo, Disney Star Wars has also confirmed that the Skywalker Saga will continue in an interesting way. In The Rise of Skywalker, Rey revealed that she will be taking on the last name Skywalker. This proved to be an extremely controversial move by Star Wars, as many in the fanbase still resist acknowledging that Rey adopted the name.
However, this presumably means that the name will continue on in the franchise, even if it is no longer linked to Anakin Skywalker’s lineage. Star Wars is very likely going to explore precisely what this means, too, as Rey’s upcoming Star Wars movie, rumored to be titled Star Wars: New Jedi Order, is set 15 years after The Rise of Skywalker. For now, though, it remains to be seen how taking on the last name Skywalker will shape Rey’s future.
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1 Disney Showed More Of Luke Skywalker In His Prime
Luke Skywalker’s Time As A Jedi Master Has Been Shown Only Minimally
While the approach to Luke’s story in the Star Wars sequel trilogy proved largely unpopular, Disney Star Wars has finally shown a bit more of Luke Skywalker in his prime. In both The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett, Luke thrillingly returned to the Star Wars franchise, and Mark Hamill himself even reprised his role with the help of technology and another actor. In The Mandalorian in particular, Luke’s incredible Force abilities as a full-fledged Jedi were revealed.
Sadly, Luke’s time as a Jedi Master has only been minimally shown on-screen thus far, although that could change in upcoming projects. Even so, though, it’s true that Disney Star Wars has brought Luke Skywalker to life during this period that was previously unexplored on the big or small screen. Clearly, despite the controversies, Disney Star Wars has made massive updates to the Skywalker Saga, and those updates may not be over yet.