5 Most Cringeworthy Fan-Service Moments in Disney’s Star Wars Universe

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The Disney-era Star Wars productions have experienced both triumphs and setbacks, much like any other period in the Star Wars franchise’s history. For example, the 80s saw the creation of masterpieces such as “The Empire Strikes Back,” but also the Ewok TV movies. During Disney’s tenure, they have produced what are arguably the greatest Star Wars productions ever made (Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Andor), while simultaneously indulging in fan service that, similar to the Prequel Trilogy, may have sunk some projects. Releases like The Rise of Skywalker and The Book of Boba Fett suffered due to over-reliance on older Star Wars concepts instead of generating fresh content to captivate audiences.

Among the post-2012 Star Wars media productions under Disney’s ownership, five instances particularly stick out as peak examples of awkward fan service. While we’ve been graced with adorable Porgs, heartfelt lines like “I have friends everywhere,” and memorable new orchestral pieces such as “Rey’s Theme,” it’s also important to acknowledge five moments that were especially cringeworthy when it came to fan service.

1) Familiar Cantina Faces on Jedha in Rogue One

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story struggles with over-reliance on references to previous Star Wars content, such as the questionable use of computer-generated versions of original cast members and Michael Giacchino’s score heavily incorporating familiar themes. The most egregious example of fan-service in Rogue One, however, is when characters Jyn Erso and Cassian Andor cross paths with Dr. Evazan and Ponda Baba from A New Hope. These two characters would go on to have a notable encounter with Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Mos Eisley Cantina, only to lose an arm as a result. It seems odd that Rogue One would pause its narrative to showcase these characters’ earlier adventures when it doesn’t seem warranted by their fanbase or the story itself.

2) Somehow, Darth Maul Has Returned in Solo

In the entire duration of “Solo: A Star Wars Story,” Qi’ra (played by Emilia Clarke) remains indecisive about revealing her true loyalties to young Han Solo. The movie ends with a surprising revelation that she has been secretly working for Darth Maul, who makes a brief appearance through a hologram. This unexpected cameo is a nod to Darth Maul’s rise as a gangster overlord in “The Clone Wars,” although many casual viewers might remember him being cut in half in “The Phantom Menace.” The mysterious return of Darth Maul, which seems illogical to some, is more perplexing than anything else. Furthermore, the abrupt introduction of a Force-user into a tale primarily focused on bounty hunters leaves a disappointing impact.

3) Chewie Finally Gets His Medal

As a die-hard movie enthusiast, I must admit that Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker fell short when it came to giving meaningful roles or delving into the emotional depths of characters like Rose Tico, Finn, and Poe Dameron. However, in the film’s closing moments, Maz Kanata awarded Chewbacca a medal, which was a long-awaited resolution for fans who felt cheated that this furry warrior didn’t receive one at the end of A New Hope. It’s an ending that resonates more with home viewers revisiting the saga rather than serving as a self-contained, meaningful moment within the film itself. It’s quite ironic that a movie steeped in questionable storytelling would conclude with such blatant fan service.

4) Anything Involving CG Luke Skywalker in The Book of Boba Fett

Historically, various actors have portrayed different stages of a fictional character’s life in films such as “The Godfather: Part II” and the Prequel Trilogy. Audiences were captivated by seeing performers blend recognizable characteristics with innovative interpretations of established characters. However, in today’s world, a character is confined to the performance of their initial actor due to digital de-aging technology that often appears unrealistic. This issue surfaced in “The Book of Boba Fett,” which frequently employed the digitally de-aged Luke Skywalker from the finale of “The Mandalorian’s” second season.

Hopefully, no one else gets the chance to portray the iconic role of Luke Skywalker from ‘Star Wars’. The attempt to bring back Luke Skywalker as he appeared in ‘Return of the Jedi’ was unsettling instead of exciting for fans. The subtle interactions between this digitally created Luke and Ahsoka Tano or Grogu were distracting due to the character’s questionable skin texture and poor lip movements. A character who once symbolized deeply human values like challenging one’s origins has now become a lifeless digital representation, as if the franchise is clinging onto the past instead of letting it go.

5) And Then There’s Palpatine in The Rise of Skywalker

Every corner of the Star Wars universe has its dedicated followers, from the quirkiest parts of the extended lore, contentious films like Attack of the Clones, to even the least-known segments such as the Droids cartoon. There’s always someone passionate about every part of Star Wars productions. However, it seems unlikely that Palpatine’s resurrection in The Rise of Skywalker has a substantial fanbase or any genuine supporters. It’s widely disliked for numerous valid reasons. The connection between The Rise of Skywalker and Return of the Jedi, by bringing back this familiar villain, left the fresh aspects of the Sequel Trilogy stranded and adrift.

Kudos to Ian McDiarmid for delivering a captivating performance, yet introducing Palpatine again felt like an overused plot device in these films. The twist of him being Rey’s ancestor seemed more like a forced attempt to echo the “I am your father” moment. Palpatine’s return underscores the pitfalls of relying too heavily on past events, as it can lead to stumbling in the present. Overemphasizing the past makes one prone to falling in the here and now.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is now streaming on Disney+.

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2025-05-25 01:40