Judge flames the Star Wars sequels in viral court case ruling

In an ongoing case involving a dispute between ConAgra Foods and Wesson Oil, a United States federal judge made a ruling making reference to the Star Wars sequels during court proceedings.

During the trial, as Newsweek reports, Judge Kenneth K. Lee of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals made a statement in regards to pledging to make a promise that cannot actually be made. The example he used was that of his own opinions of the Star Wars sequel trilogy. Specifically, in regards to The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker, both of which judge Lee was apparently dissatisfied with.

Drawing a comparison between the disputing companies’ claim over a brand label, in his statement, judge Lee wrote it was “like George Lucas promising no more mediocre and schlocky Star Wars sequels shortly after selling the franchise to Disney,” claiming that such a promise would be illusory.

In a footnote, the ruling mentions: “As evident by Disney’s production of The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker.”

https://twitter.com/tedfrank/status/1399802106643636228?s=20

As Newsweek also noted, The Last Jedi currently has a 90 percent approval rating on the Rotten Tomatoes aggregate website and an A ranking on CinemaScore. The Rise of Skywalker, on the other hand, rests at 51 percent and B+ respectively, the lowest of any Star Wars film.

While a federal judge can indeed make use of anything within reason as an example that is relevant to court proceedings, it should be noted that a ruling is not by any means legally binding, and it means that the statement merely will appear in the transcript of the court’s proceedings. So, this won’t be going on Disney’s permanent record… though we’re sure the burn from this judge will certainly leave a mark!

Do you agree with the judge’s ruling on The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker? Or do you find Lucasfilm and Disney not guilty for producing “mediocre” Star Wars movies? Let us know in the comments down below!