Disney’s ‘Star Wars’ Sequels Might Actually Be Better Than the Original Trilogy — Here’s Why

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

For many fans, the sequel trilogy represented the chance to 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 the events of Return of the Jedi (1983).

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

Ever since The Force Awakens (2015) came out in theaters, fans have argued over 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 by millions, and for good reason. These films changed cinema forever and created some of the most iconic characters in movie history.

But after years of debate, there is another side to the argument. A dark side, if you will.

Rey and Kylo Ren Were More Complicated Than the Original Heroes

The original trilogy worked because it embraced classic storytelling. But while it will always have the advantage of nostalgia, the sequel trilogy arguably pushed Star Wars further when it came to character development, performances, and exploring the flaws of its own mythology.

Luke Skywalker was the hopeful farm boy searching for a greater purpose. Han Solo was the selfish smuggler who eventually discovered his heroic side. Darth Vader (James Earl Jones) was the terrifying villain who ultimately found redemption.

These characters are iconic, and they represented very clear ideas. The sequel trilogy, however, took a different approach.

Rey (Daisy Ridley) was not simply a “new” Luke Skywalker. Her journey was built around abandonment, loneliness, and a desperate search for belonging. Her obsession with discovering her family history became one of the central conflicts of the trilogy.

Meanwhile, Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) became one of the most complicated characters Star Wars had ever introduced. Unlike Darth Vader, whose inner conflict remained largely hidden until Return of the Jedi, Ben Solo’s struggle between light and dark sat at the center of his character from the beginning. He wanted to embrace the dark side, but he was also desperate to escape the legacy of his family.

That internal conflict made Kylo Ren a far more unpredictable character than the villains who came before him.

Related: The Original ‘Star Wars’ Trilogy Desperately Needs a Disney Remake

The Star Wars Sequel Trilogy Benefited From Stronger Performances

George Lucas has always been praised as a visionary storyteller, but even his biggest supporters have admitted that dialogue was never his greatest strength. The original trilogy contains some unforgettable moments, but it also features plenty of awkward exchanges that audiences have forgiven because of their love for the larger story.

The issue became even more apparent with the prequel trilogy, where George Lucas had complete creative control over all three films.

Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace (1999), Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones (2002), and Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith (2005) are packed with clunky exposition and stilted exchanges that have become infamous among fans. Lines such as Anakin Skywalker‘s complaints about sand or Padmé Amidala’s awkward romantic dialogue have been mocked for decades.

The sequel trilogy benefited from a much stronger focus on performance. Adam Driver brought a level of intensity and vulnerability to Kylo Ren that made the character consistently fascinating to watch, while Daisy Ridley gave Rey emotional depth, especially during her struggles with identity and belonging.

The returning actors also brought something different to their roles. Mark Hamill’s Luke Skywalker was no longer the optimistic young Jedi from the original films. Instead, he was older, broken, and dealing with the consequences of his failures. Carrie Fisher’s Leia Organa also carried the weight of decades of conflict, giving the character a more mature perspective.

Star Wars Finally Questioned Its Own Legends

One of the biggest criticisms of the sequel trilogy was that it changed the characters fans loved. However, that was also one of its biggest strengths.

The Last Jedi (2017), in particular, challenged the idea that the Jedi were perfect heroes and questioned whether the galaxy had learned anything from its past mistakes. Luke Skywalker‘s failure was controversial, but it introduced something Star Wars had rarely explored before: what happens when a hero cannot live up to the legend built around them?

Instead of presenting the Force as something that belonged only to a chosen family, the sequels shifted focus away from the Skywalker bloodline and toward the idea that heroism and the Force could come from anywhere. Whether fans agree with those choices or not, they represented an attempt to move Star Wars beyond simply repeating the same conflict.

The original trilogy created the foundation for Star Wars, but the sequel trilogy tried to examine what that legacy actually meant. Disney didn’t replace what came before—it challenged it. And for some fans, that is exactly why the sequel trilogy remains the most interesting era of Star Wars.

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