Following up on yesterday’s report of “Jedi Hunters” being the main villains of Star Wars: Episode VII, there is still much to be discussed, considered, and analyzed – such as what the spine of the entire sequel trilogy will be.
So let’s get to it, shall we?
(Needless to say, possible – and huge – spoilers follow. Read at your own discretion!)
Episode VII’s premise
Making Star Wars.net, citing the same sources behind the reveal of the Jedi Hunters, claims that the post-Episode VI: Return of the Jedi galaxy is still one of desperate struggle; the Jedi Hunters pose such a threat, the New Republic – a staple of the (now-discarded) Star Wars Expanded Universe for the past 23 years – has never been founded.
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If true, this pulls the rug out from under the feet of the entire SW saga to date; the prequel trilogy, after all, is dominated by the presence of the Galactic Republic, and the original films are dedicated to the Galactic Empire (and the Rebel Alliance that has risen against it). With no overarching political structure, the sequel trilogy would be heading into virgin territory.
Well, to a certain degree. When put into a different context, the trilogies have been less about static monumental governmental bodies and more about dynamic historical processes – the prequels chart the transformation of the Old Republic to Palpatine’s New Order, while the originals follow the disintegration of the Empire. The sequels would presumably seal the deal, ending with the formation of the New Republic and peace, at last, for the galaxy.
Episode VIII’s big development
Just in case (potentially) learning a fair bit more about the next movie in the series just isn’t enough, Making Star Wars one-ups itself and gets into Episode VIII, as well.
The Jedi Hunters, the site reports, are actively pursuing the resurrection of the Dark Lords of the Sith, due to their worshipping of the Sith as gods and the fact that the Star Wars series can’t proceed without them. Jedi Master Luke Skywalker, of course, has been actively fighting against this very possibility for the past 30 years, but his efforts apparently are for naught – at some point in Episode VIII, the Hunters successfully return the Sith to power. Seeing as how there have long been rumors circulating that Ian McDiarmid (Darth Sidious himself) would somehow be involved in the new trilogy, this would seem to click.
Episode IX’s denouement
And just to round everything out, Making Star Wars reports that there will be an ultimate show-down (but of course) between the resurrected Jedi Order and Dark Lord(s) of the Sith, resulting in the Dark Side’s downfall (again) and the prospect of peace, finally, for all interstellar denizens (again).
Along Main Street
(Unless some of these Jedi Hunters manage to escape the apocalyptic duel , which would leave open the possibility of doing a fourth Star Wars trilogy – something which Disney executives are very keen on pursuing, should Episodes VII through IX and all of their spinoffs prove lucrative enough at the box office – without having to reinvent the narrative wheel once more.)
The still-untitled Star Wars: Episode VII hits theaters on December 18, 2015. It stars returning cast members Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Peter Mayhew, Anthony Daniels, and Kenny Baker and newcomers John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Domhnall Gleeson, Oscar Isaac, Max von Sydow, Adam Driver, and Andy Serkis.