Ignoring Luke Skywalker's (Mark Hamill) iconic green lightsaber in the Star Wars sequel trilogy was an injustice as it is an important part of the character's story. In Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back Luke uses his father's old blue lightsaber during his training on Dagoba and in his fight with Darth Vader (James Earl Jones/ David Prowse). However, Luke loses both his hand and his father's lightsaber during the duel, necessitating a replacement. From this moment, Luke's green lightsaber takes center stage.
Sometime between the events of Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, Luke constructed his own, now-iconic green lightsaber. Making its debut during the fight on Jabba's sail barge, the blade is symbolic of the Rebellion's triumph over the Empire and the climactic end of the original Star Wars trilogy. Not only that, but his new lightsaber is an important representation of Luke's character development, signifying his growth from naive farm boy to Jedi Master, with the green blade contrasting with the blue sky and beige sand of his home planet Tatooine. As such, for the sequel trilogy to have all but ignored such a significant weapon is both a mysterious omission and a major disservice.
Where Is Luke's Green Lightsaber During The Star Wars Sequels?
Luke Skywalker next appeared as Rey's (Daisy Ridley) reluctant mentor in Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi. For such an important weapon, Luke's green lightsaber only appears twice in the entire sequel trilogy. The first was a set of flashbacks in The Last Jedi in which Luke, overwhelmed by the darkness within Ben Solo/ Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), ignites his lightsaber in fear. Luke would have never killed his nephew but, in his hesitation, Ben wakes up. He destroys Luke's Jedi temple, killing several students in the process. The second appearance of Luke's lightsaber during the sequel trilogy is in Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker, again in a flashback. This flashback shows Luke and Leia (Carrie Fisher) training and the latter getting the better of her brother, before deciding to reject the Jedi path.
Given its prominent absence, the exact location of Luke's green lightsaber during the sequel trilogy is something of a mystery. However, the novelization of The Last Jedi may provide the answer. After his sacrifice, it is mentioned that the caretakers on Ahch-To took care of Luke's possessions, including his "weapon". This suggests that, despite not making an appearance, the green lightsaber is in their possession – at least during The Rise of Skywalker.
Why Luke's Green Lightsaber Is Missing From The Star Wars Sequels
Viewers might have expected Luke to be wielding his green lightsaber when he projects himself to the Resistance base on Crait but instead, the blade is blue. As explained by writer/director Rian Johnson (via IGN), "[Luke] knows that Kylo's Achilles' heel is his rage". While the last time Kylo saw his former master Luke wielded a green lightsaber, Luke knew the blue blade would have more of a psychological effect on his nephew. Kylo covets Anakin Skywalker's lightsaber (not knowing he helped destroy it earlier in the film) and seeing Luke holding it angers him and clouds his judgment.
Luke's green lightsaber was unfairly dismissed in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, overshadowed by Anakin's blue one. This injustice has been corrected somewhat as it has appeared with the Jedi Master during his cameos in The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett. However, the weapon's absence from the Star Wars sequel trilogy still feels like a major mistake, given its importance.