To say that the last few years have been rough forStar Warsfans would be a significant understatement. While the franchise has certainly reached some dramatic highs withAndorandThe Bad Batch, the intense serialization that has infected projects likeThe Book of Boba Fett,Ahsoka, andThe MandalorianSeason 3,has made it more challenging for casual fans to get invested in the future of the series. One of the recurring criticisms that the franchise has received is the use of computer-generated imagery to bring back the likenesses ofMark HamillandCarrie Fisherin order to play younger versions of Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa. As essential as these characters may be tothe future of the franchise, Star Wars can’t keep relying on CGI recreationsof actors who can no longer play their roles.
Star Wars Needs To Commit To Recasting
Lucasfilm has become reliant on the use of CGI to bring back charactersever sincePeter Cushing’s likeness was controversially usedfor key scenes inRogue One: A Star Wars Story. While the parameters of the story being told about the creation of the Death Star meant that Tarkin had to appear,it is distracting and unnerving to see CGI recreations. This is even more of a glaring issue for characters like Luke and Leia, as Hamill and Fisher are so synonymous with the franchise that it is easy to point out the difference between an authentic performance and one created through the use of augmented technology.
It remains unclear why Lucasfilm is so hesitant about recasting iconic characters, as the franchise has shown on multiple occasions that several actors can play the role and find success. While the thought of anyone stepping into the shoes of the greatSir Alec Guinnessseemed implausible after he earned an Academy Award nomination for his performance inStar Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope,Ewan McGregor’s portrayal of the character in the prequel trilogy earned just as much affection. McGregor’s popularity as the character has even sparked discussions abouta potential second season ofObi-Wan Kenobi,so it’s easy to imagine that a new actor cast as Luke or Leia could earn the same amount of affection.
Luke and Leia Are Essential to the Future of Star Wars
The core issue Lucasfilm faces is that Luke and Leia are essential to the future of Star Wars.The upcoming second season ofAhsokaand the feature filmThe Mandalorian & Grogutake place in the “New Republic” era, in which the heroes of the original trilogy are attempting to form a new democratic government that can replace the Galactic Empire. It no longer makes sense that characters like Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson) wouldn’t interact with Luke or Leia, especially as they would realistically be involved in any serious threats that the New Republic faces. Luke and Leia are both deeply connected to the establishment of a New Jedi Order, in which both Din and Ahsoka have obvious direct ties.
There is a lot of potential for more stories involving Luke and Leia, as there is still a massive segment of the timeline betweenReturn of the JediandThe Force Awakensthat has yet to be explored. It would be interesting to see how Luke turned from a graceful hero into a cynical recluse who chose to abandon the Jedi Order, and how his failure to start his own Jedi Academyleft him with severe psychological wounds. Similarly, it would be interesting to see how Leia used her expertise as a leader of the Rebel Alliance as she put together a new governmental system that aimed to be more representative of the galaxy’s inhabitants. Luke and Leia are great characters, and just because Fisher has sadly passed on and Hamill is no longer the right age doesn’t mean that they don’t have a future in the Star Warssaga.
Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope
A farm boy from a desert planet becomes an unlikely hero in the fight against the oppressive Galactic Empire. Guided by a former Jedi Knight and alongside a rebellious princess, a smuggler, and his co-pilot, he embarks on a mission to destroy the Death Star, a massive space station capable of annihilating entire planets. As he learns about the mystical Force, he discovers his destiny and the true strength within himself.
Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hopeis streaming on Disney+ in the United States.
Watch on Disney+
