Writing challenge day 10: The Last Jedi

What just happened? That was my feeling exiting the theater after watching Star Wars The Last Jedi. The one Star Wars movie that split the fan base. This is definitely the movie that pushed Star Wars, in some good ways but mostly bad ways. Fans either love this movie or hate it. There is no middle ground. Here is why.

HOLLYWOOD, CA – DECEMBER 14: Competing screening accross the street at the El Capitan theatre with AT-M6 Walker on display at the Opening Night Celebration Of Walt Disney Pictures And Lucasfilm’s “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” At TCL Chinese Theatre held at TCL Chinese Theatre on December 14, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)

The Force Awakens was pretty well received. The Last Jedi was met instantly by hatred. There are a few reasons why. The Last Jedi offered situations that pushed the fans in a direction that they did not want to go.

The death of Luke Skywalker was widely panned. It was also no way for a beloved character to exit (excluding Force ghost.) Then there was a child. An everyday ordinary child with no ties to the Jedi or the Force who could suddenly use the Force. That effectively ruined the mystique of the Jedi.

I say that but at the same time it did also offer a broader thought on the Force. Still the fan base was not pleased. There were some good moments in The Last Jedi, such as Rey wondering who her parents were. Kylo Ren revolting against Supreme Leader Snoke and slicing him in half.

The sequel trilogy began to fall apart in the eighth installment of Star Wars. It went places that it should not have. Star Wars fans like simple stories with well delivered lines and great special effects.

After long week’s at work Star Wars fans do not like to sit down after paying hard earned money and be force to think hard. Which is what The Last Jedi makes you do.

LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 18: (Images embargoed till 9am, 23rd June 2016) Star Wars: Episode VII character Kylo Ren at the Star Wars Gallery at Harrods on June 18, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Anthony Harvey/Getty Images for Harrods)

Switching directors is a no-no. The Force Awakens and The Rise of Skywalker were directed by JJ Abrams. While Rian Johnson took over for The Last Jedi. This was a huge blow for the trilogy on the whole.

Tomorrow we conclude our look at the Star Wars films with The Rise of Skywalker. See you then.

Disney +’s “Kenobi” show needs to have this Star Wars character

Star Wars fans around the world remember this scene from “Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith.” Yoda offers a somber bit of information that Obi-Wan Kenobi’s former master Qui-Gon Jinn had mastered death and been able to return from it, presumably as a Force Ghost. With Disney +’s ‘Kenobi” series said to have wrapped production fans can not help but wonder if the character first introduced in “Phantom Menace” will return.

Actor Liam Neeson (L) poses with the lightsaber he used in “Star Wars: The Phantom Menace” at the “Movie Action for Children” auction 06 March 2001 at Sotheby’s in New York. Movie memorabilia is on the auction block to raise money for a UNICEF program to prevent mother to child HIV transmission in Zambia, Zimbabwe and The Ivory Coast. AFP PHOTO/ Stan HONDA (Photo by STAN HONDA / AFP) (Photo by STAN HONDA/AFP via Getty Images)

Actor Liam Neeson, brought Qui-Gon Jinn to life. Not only did serve as master to Obi-Wan Kenobi but was also instrumental in teaching a young Anakin Skywalker. He knew there was something different about Anakin.

Qui-Gon Jinn was a respected member of the Jedi order. Yet when he was offered a seat with the Jedi council’s Jinn declined. He was never afraid to follow the will of the Force, even when it rubbed others the wrong way.

Obi-Wan Kenobi was instructed by Yoda to take an infant Luke Skywalker to a safe place and watch over him. He took him to the one place Anakin (who was Darth Vader by this point) vowed he would never go again, Tatoonie.

For Star Wars fans, it would be a fantastic moment if Qui-Gon Jinn was to show up during the “Kenobi” series. After all, Yoda said it was to be. We know by the time “Star Wars: A New Hope” fits into the overall story Obi-Wan has learned the skill of becoming one with the Force.

British actors Anthony Daniels, Alec Guinness and American Mark Hamill on the set of Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope written, directed and produced by Georges Lucas. (Photo by Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images)

That means it would complete Obi-Wans training while further enriching Qui-Gon Jinn’s character as one of the more instrumental in the Star Wars universe. As other Jedi’s such as Anakin Skywalker, Mace Windu, as well as other Jedi’s including Yoda himself would be able to return from death as a Force Ghost.

While it is unknown if Qui-Gon Jinn will appear, it almost feels as if he will. To leave him out will leave a rather large void in the story.

Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy says Disney is taking a step back to look at what George Lucas created

BEVERLY HILLS, CA- JUNE 12: Producer Kathleen Kennedy and producer/director George Lucas attend Women In Film’s 2013 Crystal + Lucy Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on June 12, 2013 in Beverly Hills, California.(Photo by Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage)

This is not a bash the sequel trilogy free- for- all article. After all, Star Wars  fans know all to well the disappointment since Disney first released “The Force Awakens.” No bashing, that is because Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy said Disney, is taking a step back to review what George Lucas created.

Kathleen Kennedy said she and her team were taking a  “step back and really absorb what George [Lucas] created” Star Wars to be in the first place. I know I for one am happy that these steps are being taken. No more rushing through just to produce films that fans rail against.

It is known that Disney/Lucasfilm do have many Star Wars films in the works. The film company and it’s owner had a rude awakening to audience reception when “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” was released in 2019.

Die-hard Star Wars fans demanded that the sequel trilogy be decanonise and wanted George Lucas to take over and right the wrong. Social media users used #notmystarwars to let others know exactly what they thought. Many including myself believed Disney was making a total mess out of the beloved movie franchise.

Previously, Kathleen Kennedy hinted the next wave of films very well could center around The Knights of the Old Republic. That was satisfying for many fans. What should be even better received is that Disney/Lucasfilm and the people who run it are now willing to take the humble road.

They have listened to the fans, they had no choice Star Wars fans are very vocal. For any new Star Wars film going forward, a look back is a good step. The sequels did not work. Disney +’s The Mandalorian did work. It worked because the shows creator and slew of directors grew up with Star Wars and had a firm understanding of just how it worked.

Now it seems, steps are being taken to bring the franchise back to life instead of fans seeing a Force ghost.