It’s Officially The End of An Era For Star Wars Movies

by

After a seven-year break, Star Wars is back in cinemas with a new film that originally premiered on Disney+. This movie will feel quite different from previous Star Wars installments. A key change in the storytelling is that the Jedi will no longer be the main heroes of the saga.

I’ve always loved that at its heart, Star Wars is really a story about family, and this new movie seems to be leaning into that with its main characters. It feels right for this particular story. What I also appreciate is that shows like Andor and The Mandalorian, and even the upcoming Starfighter movie, are focusing on everyday people in the galaxy instead of just Jedi with incredible powers. It’s a nice change of pace and makes the universe feel so much bigger and more relatable.

The Era of the Jedi as Star Wars’ Biggest Heroes Has Come to an End

When Star Wars initially expanded to television with The Clone Wars, the series primarily followed the Jedi, not the clone troopers themselves. This trend continued with Star Wars: Rebels, where Kanan Jarrus, Ezra Bridger, and Ahsoka Tano were the central heroes. However, even from the beginning – like when the group sought out Han Solo – characters without Force abilities were crucial to the stories.

Although you might expect to see them, Jedi don’t seem to be playing a major role in the fight against the remnants of the Empire. Characters like Zeb from Rebels and Colonel Ward, played by Sigourney Weaver, are leading the charge instead. Even Grogu, with his Force powers, is primarily learning the ways of the Mandalorians. While characters like Ezra Bridger, Ahsoka Tano, or Luke Skywalker might appear, they’ll likely be supporting characters, not the main heroes. This is a big shift from how important Jedi were in the prequel films and the original Star Wars trilogy.

While Star Wars will likely continue to explore the adventures of future Jedi, the current stories are increasingly focused on the bravery of ordinary people. These heroes might follow a code, like the Mandalorian, or serve in the military. But they can also be everyday individuals who simply choose to do what’s right, like the pilots seen at the end of The Rise of Skywalker. This focus on relatable characters, even alongside the exciting world of the Jedi, could make Star Wars even more appealing to a wider audience.

Thematically, The Mandalorian and Grogu Picks Up Where Andor Left Off

It makes sense that The Mandalorian and Grogu is the first story after the Skywalker saga ended, considering The Mandalorian started Star Wars’ move into live-action television. The recent success also highlighted compelling characters – everyday people like Rebel soldiers, Senators, and spies – fighting against the Empire. Stripped of the spaceships and technology, these characters feel relevant and could easily exist in today’s world.

Unlike the original Star Wars films, where villains were tempted by the powerful, supernatural Dark Side, the newer stories focus on more realistic and relatable motivations. Even after the Empire’s defeat, those same everyday issues of power and ambition continue to drive conflict in the New Republic. This new generation of heroes doesn’t have the Force to help them understand the consequences of their actions, leaving them to make choices based on their own judgment. For example, Din Djarin’s decision to hunt down Imperial criminals is driven by his personal sense of justice, not by any mystical guidance.

When It Comes to Jedi Knights, Less Is More Both Narratively and Practically

Even if fans had mixed feelings about the prequel movies, it was thrilling to see the Jedi Order at its strongest. Those who grew up with the original Star Wars films wanted to see more action-packed lightsaber fights like the ones between Obi-Wan and Maul, or the battle on Geonosis. As revealed in J.W. Rinzler’s book, The Making of The Return of the Jedi, George Lucas intended for anyone to become a Jedi with enough dedication. The idea of midichlorians wasn’t a major change to the Star Wars universe, but instead showed how the Jedi had begun to lose sight of their true path.

Look, The Last Jedi ruffled a lot of feathers, and honestly, the criticisms of the Jedi Order felt spot-on to me. It’s easy to forget when we’re so invested that these characters within the story wouldn’t have seen the films or shows we’re analyzing! But it was cool how Luke explained to Rey that the Jedi’s pride and rigid rules were exactly what allowed Palpatine to manipulate things. It made me realize the Jedi are at their best when they’re more like independent heroes, following where the Force leads them, not stuck in a strict system. The prequels really showed how any organization, even one with good intentions like the Jedi, is bound to crumble eventually. But at the core of it all, I think people usually want to do what’s right, and that’s what really matters.

It’s great to see Star Wars move beyond focusing solely on Jedi heroes. While fans will always love the Jedi, the Star Wars universe is vast and offers room for many different stories. Anyone, through the Force or their own decisions, can be a hero in this galaxy. Shows like The Mandalorian and Grogu, Andor, and stories focusing on pilots and other everyday characters are exactly what Star Wars needs to grow and attract new audiences. The Jedi are essential to the galaxy far, far away, but the story is stronger when they share the stage with ordinary people striving to make a difference.

The Mandalorian and Grogu debuts in theaters on May 22, 2026.

5 Questions
From Jedi to Everyman: Test Your Star Wars Hero Shift Knowledge
Your Top Score
—
Attempts
—
0
0
Report Error

Found an error? Send it so it can be corrected.

Read More

2026-05-04 03:39