Though the DisneyStar Warsera has flaws, there’s no denying that it has provided essential and meaningful context for the originalStar Warstrilogy, and more specifically,Return of the Jedi. As most DisneyStar Warsprojects have been set after the events ofReturn of the Jediin theStar Warstimeline, including theStar Warssequel trilogy and the so-called Mandoverse,Star Warshas been able to explore what happened in the galaxy after the Empire’s initial defeat at the Battle of Endor.
As a result, severalStar Wars(lore-related) mysteries have been resolved, and previously neglected characters have received either the closure or the attention they deserved in the aftermath.Return of the Jediwas a turning point for the galaxy, andStar Wars’desire to further explore and dissect what happened in that movie is wholly understandable.
6We Now Know Why Palpatine (Really) Wanted Luke To Strike Him Down
Palpatine wanted to “live forever”
The biggest scene inReturn of the Jediis the confrontation between Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, and Emperor Palpatine while the Battle of Endor rages in the background. Famously, Luke resisted Palpatine’s taunts and threats, eventually bringing his father back to the light, who then killed Palpatine – though not once and for all. Before that happened, though, Palpatine wanted Luke to strike him down, and now we know why.
InStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, the new and not-so-improved version of Palpatine wanted Rey to strike him down in anger, too. Palpatine says, “Kill me… and my spirit will pass into you. As all the Sith live in me… you will be Empress… we will be one.”This is a concept taken fromStar WarsLegends known as essence transfer in which a Force-sensitive’s spirit and consciousness can live on after deathin the body of another.
If Luke had struck down Palpatine, Palpatine could have essentially possessed Luke’s body, turning all of Luke’s power to the dark side. Though Palpatine’s resurrection is still a hot-button topic, this explanation does make more sense. Why else would Palpatine have wanted Luke to kill him when all Palpatine (and the Sith) ever wanted was power and eternal life?
5There’s A Lot Of Evidence Suggesting One Character Is Secretly Captain Rex
An unnecessary but fun retcon
This improvement is more fun than anything else, but I love it. InReturn of the Jedi, Han Solo and Leia Organa are helped by a band of Rebels, including one stand-out bearded trooper. Though this trooper was identified as Nik Sant in 2002’sThe Official Star Wars Fact File 44,there’s now lots of evidence to suggest that Nik Sant is, in fact, an aged-up version of Clone Captain Rexof the 501st Legion, who fought alongside Anakin Skywalker and his Padawan, Ahsoka Tano, during the Clone Wars.
Is Captain Rex In Return Of The Jedi? It’s Complicated
Is that bearded rebel trooper in Return of the Jedi supposed to be Captain Rex? The answer to this Star Wars canon debate has always been complicated.
Not only doesStar Wars Rebels’version of Rex look suspiciously like Nik Sant, but theRebelsepilogue also confirms that Rex fought in the Battle of Endor. Additionally, artwork depicting Rex created for the bookThe Secrets of the Clone Troopersby Marc Sumerak looks uncannily like Nik Sant inReturn of the Jedi. The evidence is becoming harder to ignore, thoughStar Warshas not confirmed whether it’s the truth (and might never do so).
4Boba Fett’s Unsatisfying Death Has Been Erased
Boba Fett still has potential
Boba Fett was an undeniable icon whenReturn of the Jediwas released. Despite barely saying a word on screen, his cool armor – which has since inspired an entire subculture inStar Wars– and his no-nonsense stoicism ensured he had a legion of fans. When he died, rather unceremoniously, inReturn of the Jediafter Han Solo accidentally punctured his jetpack, and he fell into the Sarlacc Pit, it was a genuine letdown.How could such an awesome figure die in such an embarrassing way?
Now, of course, we know that Boba Fett survived his stint in the Sarlacc Pit, and that honestly adds to his cool-factor, as does his time with the Tusken Raiders afterward. Now,The Book of Boba Fettitself isn’t a great show, it has to be said, but whatThe Mandaloriandid with Boba was fascinating. His violent yet calm nature is exactly what I expected from him, and though Boba’s arc inTBOBFwasn’t exactly a slam dunk, I did appreciate them trying to give his character a chance to be more.
3Anakin Skywalker’s Force Ghost Is Becoming An Actual Character
How can he help Ahsoka in the future?
MostForce Ghosts inStar Warshave made a genuine difference in our favorite heroes’ lives. Obi-Wan Kenobi’s Force Ghost convinced Master Yoda to train Luke Skywalker inThe Empire Strikes Back, and Qui-Gon Jinn’s disembodied voice gave Master Yoda the tools to unlock the ability itself. Yoda’s Force Ghost has advised several pivotal Jedi, including Luke Skywalker, Ezra Bridger, and Kanan Jarrus. What about Anakin Skywalker?
InReturn of the Jedi,we briefly see Anakin Skywalker’s Force Ghost join Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda on Endor, just after Luke burned his father’s body. UntilAhsoka, that was the only moment we ever saw Anakin’s Force Ghost. Now, however,Anakin’s newly redeemed spirit has a chance to make amends and help those who need it most.This includes Ahsoka Tano, as we saw in The World Between Worlds, and perhaps even Sabine Wren, as his apparition appeared on Peridea, too.
2We Understand Obi-Wan Kenobi’s Lies To Luke A Lot Better
Obi-Wan told Luke his version of the truth
InReturn of the Jedi,Luke confronts Obi-Wan about his lies. InA New Hope, Obi-Wan tells Luke that his father, Anakin, was betrayed and killed by Darth Vader. Of course, by this time,The Empire Strikes Backhadn’t been written yet, and there’s every chance George Lucas changed his mind. InROTJ, Obi-Wan explained his lie was the truth“from a certain point of view”as Vader“ceased to be Anakin Skywalker”after he was“seduced by the dark side of the Force.”
Disney’sObi-Wan Kenobishow later gave more explanation as to what that meant for Obi-Wan, specifically. InObi-Wan Kenobiepisode 6, when Vader and Obi-Wan duel for the first time since Mustafar, Vader says to Obi-Wan,“You did not kill Anakin Skywalker. I did.”Obi-Wan replies,“Then my friend is truly dead. Goodbye, Darth.”Until that moment, Obi-Wan truly believed that Anakin was still inside Vader somewhere. He even calls him Anakin during their fight.
Obi-Wan accepts Vader’s explanation, and from that point on, Obi-Wan views Anakin and Vader as two separate people. So, whenever Luke asked, Obi-Wan described them as such. Does that mean Obi-Wan should have lied to Luke? Perhaps not, but his reasoning is understandable, especially afterObi-Wan Kenobishowed us his emotional reason for doing so, not just his practical reasons.
1We Now Know What Happened To The Empire After Endor
So much more happened after the Battle of Endor
Of course, the biggest issue afterReturn of the Jediwas this: What happened to the Empire? Dictatorial structures don’t just dissolve overnight – the final battle against the Empire didn’t even occur on Endor;it happened on Jakku. Thankfully, Disney’sStar Warshas meticulously explained what happened to the Empire. As it turns out,the Empire never truly disappeared. It remained hidden in the shadows until it was time to reemerge as a new force – the First Order.
We now know thatPalpatine had a contingency plan known as Operation Cinderin the event of his death. In essence, Palpatine believed that an Empire that couldn’t protect its Emperor’s life didn’t deserve to survive, so he sent look-a-like androids in his stead to order several Imperial leaders to rain fire down on civilian populations and other Imperial outposts and officers. It was a bloodbath, and billions more people died.
9 Reasons Return Of The Jedi Wasn’t The End Of The Empire
Though Emperor Palpatine was killed, the Battle of Endor in Return of the Jedi was not the end for the Empire, as it lasted for years to come.
Imperial warlords like Moff Gideon, who survived the Galactic Civil War and Operation Cinder, scrambled to hold on to power and built factions in the galaxy’s outer reaches. They came together to form the Imperial Shadow Council. Some of them waited for Grand Admiral Thrawn’s return, as seen inAhsoka, while others were tasked with prolonging Palpatine’s “life” and creating clones for him under the aptly titledProject Necromancer.
Though it’s sometimes seen as a weak follow-up toThe Empire Strikes Back, a lot happened inReturn of the Jedi. Of course, not every change and decision Disney has made has been fruitful or understandable. Providing more context for a classic likeReturn of the Jedi, though, a pivotal film in the franchise, is one of the things it got right.
