It’s no secret that the Star Wars sequel trilogy was divisive among fans, but with the coming release of new shows on Disney+, it seems as though Star Wars is creating a new, better trilogy for fans. The Mandalorian is already a hit, and with Ahsoka and Obi-Wan Kenobi coming soon, Star Wars fans are in for the trilogy they have been waiting for.
When Star Wars announced the release of the sequel trilogy, fans were excited, and more than a little nervous. Star Wars: The Force Awakens was true to the heart of Star Wars, but The Last Jedi and Rise Of Skywalker moved in very new directions that left many fans disappointed. While they were not bad movies, and many fans loved them, they proved unpopular among many others, splitting the community between these two factions. The prequel trilogy was also the center of much loathing upon release, but further down the line, the general consensus has become that the Star Wars prequels were underrated. The sequel trilogy, however, moves away from the original trilogy and feels like its own entity, leading those who felt it discredited the franchise to dislike it even further. However, Disney+ may be able to mend this rift by creating what is practically a new trilogy that takes place after the events of The Return Of The Jedi.
The Mandalorian has already picked up where Return Of The Jedi left off, and has proved more popular than many likely deemed possible. The show has expertly shown the introduction of the New Republic, while at the same time dealt with the remnant of the Empire before it becomes the First Order. It features new, endearing characters, such as Din Djarin and Grogu, while also bringing animated characters back into the fold, like Ahsoka Tano and Bo-Katan - and with the appearance of Luke Skywalker, it directly connects to the original trilogy. The Mandalorian fills in a gap in the franchise's backstory, while also crafting a story that is engrossing even without the context of the greater universe behind it.
This blend of innovation and further detailing the universe is what makes the Disney+ series so well-liked. For example, the Ahsoka limited series will continue Ahsoka’s story, and will also be set at the same time as The Mandalorian. Ahsoka is already a beloved character, and Rosario Dawson has proven that the character can work in live-action. Because she was introduced in The Mandalorian, it can be presumed that her story will potentially come back to that show and stay interconnected. This can also be said for Rangers Of The New Republic (should it still happen), as again, the introduction for this series was also made in The Mandalorian. X-wing pilots Carson Teva and Trapper Wolf have appeared showing that the New Republic is active in the outer rim territories.
It has already been promised that Rangers Of The New Republic will intersect with other stories in its timeline, proving that strong connections will be made in series that are running tandem to one another. With these three shows focusing on the direct consequences of the original films, they are being set up to create a new style of trilogy for fans to enjoy. One issue with the actual sequel trilogy has been the lack of time given to become attached to new characters, but with these new shows having more overall screentime, there is more opportunity to build iconic figures, and more chance for fans to become attached to the new faces of Star Wars.