Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’s Biggest Mistake Is Glossing Over Its Sick Rogue One Connection

It was a smart concept to continue the Star Wars saga with a new trilogy. When Disney gained control of George Lucas’ space opera series, they were determined not to let it become forgotten. To show their commitment, they enlisted J.J. Abrams, a well-known director, to lead the first sequel film, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”. For the most part, the production ran smoothly, paving the way for an impressive resurgence of the franchise. However, the positive momentum was disrupted when Rian Johnson, who directed “Star Wars: The Last Jedi”, unraveled some mysteries but didn’t win universal approval with his interpretation.

The strong criticism towards “The Last Jedi” led Lucasfilm to reconsider their plans for the ninth film in the Star Wars saga, inviting Abrams back for a final installment. Unfortunately, he couldn’t stem the negative reactions because “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” leaned too heavily on nostalgia. However, incorporating elements from “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” which the movie only touched upon lightly, could have made it feel like a more fitting farewell that Abrams and his team intended.

Kylo Ren Returns to an Important Rogue One Location in The Rise of Skywalker

In the beginning of “The Rise of Skywalker”, the galaxy is in a state of chaos due to the expanding power of the First Order. However, Emperor Palpatine reappears on the scene, causing more trouble. Desiring to keep others away from his domain, Kylo Ren embarks on a quest to find Palpatine. The key to this search lies in finding a Sith wayfinder, and coincidentally, the first lead Ren discovers is located on Mustafar. This planet holds a significant past for the Skywalker family, as it was here where Anakin Skywalker fought his final duel with Obi-Wan Kenobi, sustaining severe burns in the process. The accident left an indelible mark on Darth Vader’s mind, causing him to later build his castle there.

The comprehensive history of the structure is primarily explored in additional resources like comics and novels, but its initial live-action debut takes place in ‘Rogue One’. Following Director Krennic’s unsuccessful attempt to eliminate the rebels on Jedha, the Empire decides to employ the Death Star’s laser against Jedha City. The Emperor isn’t pleased with people tampering with his belongings prematurely, so he dispatches Krennic to confer with Vader at his residence. In this encounter, Vader imparts a lesson about shifting blame before resuming his usual duties. Apart from its appearance in ‘Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi’, Vader’s castle also features in ‘The Rise of Skywalker’; however, the film is not overly concerned with showcasing it.

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The Rise of Skywalker Fails to Confirm Where the Movie Starts

To determine that Ren is initially present on Mustafar in The Rise of Skywalker, it’s essential to be well-versed with the planet’s distinctive features. As First Order ships soar above the site, you can easily spot molten lava flows below. However, the presence of Tatooine and Jakku demonstrates that numerous planets in a distant galaxy may bear similarities. Ren’s ground mission complicates things because Mustafar underwent changes after an incident many years ago, when Vader released vast amounts of energy during his failed attempt to revive his deceased wife, Padmé Amidala, which significantly altered its appearance.

At Mustafar, Ren shows no interest in learning history when he encounters a band of devoted Sith followers who are guarding a mysterious device called a wayfinder, which they don’t want anyone to find. He swiftly dispatches them and seizes the artifact, but his decision to skip out on exploring the area might have been regrettable since Mustafar is where his grandfather’s castle stands, an important sight for him as a fan of Darth Vader. Regrettably, The Rise of Skywalker fails to delve deeper into the significance of this location or Mustafar itself, making it less impactful overall.

Following the release of The Last Jedi, Lucasfilm felt the need to deliver something grand in order to satisfy everyone’s expectations. Yet, they seemed to overlook the one Star Wars project that had earned universal acclaim under Disney’s wing – Rogue One. Linking The Rise of Skywalker to the 2016 film could have helped address some criticisms and make it a more appealing watch during a Star Wars marathon, rather than one of the movies that fans might choose to skip.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story are streaming on Disney+.

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2025-06-22 01:40