Controversial Choices in Star Wars Sequels

This is "Rank the Most Controversial," and today we’re diving right into the Star Wars sequel trilogy—specifically, the character choices that broke the internet, split families, and made galactic headlines. The debates rage on years after The Rise of Skywalker, and if you ask five fans for their top five most controversial character decisions, you’ll get five different lists.

Number 5: General Hux’s Sudden Betrayal and Downfall

General Hux, played by Domhnall Gleeson, is introduced in The Force Awakens as the First Order’s ruthless leader, giving fiery speeches and blasting planets. By The Rise of Skywalker, Hux betrays the First Order—revealing himself as the Resistance’s spy, only to get promptly executed by Allegiant General Pryde, played by Richard E. Grant. Fans argued that Hux’s abrupt shift from menacing fanatic to comic-relief traitor wasted the potential of a character set up as a major villain. Some believe his betrayal lacked buildup, while others defend it as proof of how personal vendettas matter even in the galaxy’s biggest conflicts.

Number 4: The Minimal Use and Fate of Captain Phasma

Captain Phasma, portrayed by Gwendoline Christie, was heavily marketed before The Force Awakens as a new iconic villain clad in chrome armor. However, across two films, she’s given limited dialogue and action, and is disposed of by Finn after a short fight in The Last Jedi. Many viewers expected Phasma to become a Boba Fett-level legend, but her early exits left a huge portion of the fandom frustrated. The core of the debate is the gap between expectation and execution: promotional materials and fan theories positioned Phasma as a major threat, but her minimal screen time and lack of backstory led to bitter disappointment and speculation about unused potential.

Number 3: Luke Skywalker’s Exile and Characterization

Luke Skywalker, played by Mark Hamill, returns to the saga in The Last Jedi after decades in exile. Rian Johnson’s film depicts Luke as a disillusioned Jedi Master who refuses to train Rey and nearly kills his nephew Ben Solo out of fear. Still, fans remain sharply divided. Some argue the portrayal is a bold evolution, showing a flawed hero grappling with guilt. Others claim it betrays the optimism and growth Luke displayed in the original trilogy. The mechanism behind this controversy is the collision of nostalgia with new narrative directions—Luke’s moral ambiguity and reluctance to engage challenge the legend established over 40 years ago, leaving fans to question whether his arc was subversive genius or disrespectful to his legacy.

Number 2: The Introduction and Fate of Supreme Leader Snoke

Supreme Leader Snoke, brought to life by Andy Serkis, is set up in The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi as the mysterious, all-powerful leader of the First Order. He’s killed without warning by Kylo Ren, slicing Snoke’s role short and leaving viewers with little information about his origins. Later, The Rise of Skywalker reveals that Snoke was a corrupted clone created by Emperor Palpatine. This revelation stems from early development ideas, as Palpatine's return and connection to Snoke were discussed in Lucasfilm story meetings as far back as 2014. Fans argue about this decision for several reasons: some feel it undermines the narrative tension built over two movies, while others see it as a clever subversion or as a necessary link to the saga’s larger villain. The mechanism driving the controversy is the abruptness of Snoke’s demise and the retroactive explanation that ties him to Palpatine, which many found unsatisfying or overly convenient.

Number 1: Rey’s Parentage and Connection to Emperor Palpatine

Topping the list, and guaranteed to start a fight at any Star Wars convention, is the decision to reveal Rey—played by Daisy Ridley—as the granddaughter of Emperor Palpatine. In The Force Awakens, Rey is introduced as an orphaned scavenger with mysterious Force powers. Daisy Ridley later stated that Rey’s lineage changed multiple times during the making of The Rise of Skywalker. In the film’s final release, her heritage as Palpatine’s granddaughter is confirmed, with the Emperor, played by Ian McDiarmid, returning from exile on Exegol to serve as the saga’s ultimate antagonist. Fans fiercely debate the logic and consequences of this choice. Some defend the twist as a way to tie the trilogy’s central conflict back to the saga’s original villain, giving Rey a powerful personal challenge to overcome. Others argue that it contradicts the theme established in The Last Jedi—that anyone can be strong with the Force, regardless of bloodline—and that the reveal feels like a late-game retcon. The mechanism behind this controversy lies in the shifting creative direction: the character’s background was in flux throughout production, which is why the final reveal feels abrupt and, to many, inconsistent with prior hints and themes.