Nearly six years after Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker was released, some in the fanbase are still hoping the Star Wars' worst movies. Although Star Wars: The Force Awakens initially opened to some positive reception, the trilogy became more criticized from there.
Particularly The Rise of Skywalker had audiences outraged, which was especially true in light of Palpatine's resurrection in the movie. Because so many in the fanbase weren't pleased with how the sequels went, some fans have been calling for the sequels to be retconned so that they are no longer canon for years. Although some are convinced Star Wars is considering this very possibility, the future of the Star Wars franchise makes it clear that the three sequel movies are here to stay in the canon.
Some In The Fanbase Are Still Calling For The Sequels To Be Retconned
Some Fans Are Hoping The Sequels Will Be De-Canonized
The sequel trilogy was already getting off on the wrong foot in the eyes of some in the fanbase because The Force Awakens was Disney's first attempt at a Star Wars movie. George Lucas' decision to sell off his beloved franchise to this major media corporation was immediately controversial, and this began much of the current discourse about Star Wars being 'ruined.' When the sequels then went on to make choices like Luke Skywalker exiling himself on Ahch-To and all three original trilogy heroes dying, the outcry only grew louder.
When Did Disney Buy Star Wars?
The Star Wars franchise has continued to grow since Disney purchased Lucasfilm, so here is a complete timeline of when Disney bought Star Wars.
Because of this, one prominent theory has long been that Star Wars new shows and movies will somehow de-canonize the sequels. Among the theories regarding how this could happen is the idea that the sequels take place in an alternate timeline, perhaps via the World Between Worlds. Arguably, weirder things have happened in the franchise (after all, much of this controversy has to do with the fact that somehow Palpatine returned), but the Star Wars shows released since The Rise of Skywalker hardly suggest that the sequels are about to be relegated to Legends.
Star Wars TV Shows Have Explored The Period Before The Sequel Trilogy
Shows Like The Mandalorian, Ahsoka, And The Book Of Boba Fett Are Bridging The Trilogies
Many of Disney's Star Wars shows have taken place in the New Republic Era, the period between the original trilogy and the sequel trilogy in Star Wars' best TV shows, as well as The Book of Boba Fett and Ahsoka. Presumably, based on this timeline, these shows will in part be bridging these two trilogies. While that work hasn't exactly been made explicit, such as incorporating the sequel trilogy's main characters in some capacity, they seem to be setting the stage for the sequels.
For example, both The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett showed Luke Skywalker recruiting for and establishing his Jedi Temple—the same Jedi Temple shown in The Last Jedi. The official Star Wars website confirmed this is the same temple, stating the following:
"We’ve glimpsed Luke’s storied temple in comic books and on film, although to be fair it was mostly rubble and flame in Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Now, we turn back the clock to see the new Jedi school at its inception, with ant droids working hard to place every stone on the first humble hut."
Subtler examples include the Imperial remnant and the discordance between the senators of the New Republic shown in Ahsoka, both of which could hint towards the uprising of the First Order. Even the return of Grand iral Thrawn could indicate how the First Order gets its start, although that remains to be seen.
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Lucasfilm Is Clearly Planning To Build Upon The Sequels, Not Retcon Them
Rey Is Already Part Of Star Wars' Next Era
The much more glaring proof that the sequel trilogy is here to stay is Rey's involvement in several Star Wars movies. In addition to her own movie, rumored to be titled Star Wars: New Jedi Order, Simon Kinberg's Star Wars trilogy will reportedly see Rey in an 'Obi-Wan Kenobi' role. Both of these projects therefore suggest that the future of Star Wars will build upon, not do away with, the sequels.
Both of these projects therefore suggest that the future of Star Wars will build upon, not do away with, the sequels.
It also just doesn't make sense for Disney to make this choice. In a sense, this would imply they'd done a poor job, which a major corporation like Disney is unlikely to do. There's simply no benefit to the franchise should Star Wars decide to retcon the sequel trilogy from a credibility standpoint, not to mention what this could mean financially in of the Disney parks, future shows and movies, etc. While some may be holding out hope, it's incredibly unlikely if not impossible that the Star Wars sequel trilogy will be retconned out of canon.
