I Re-Watched Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, And There’s One Key Part I Wish The Franchise Would Revisit

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As a lifelong Star Wars enthusiast, I’ve been through the highs and lows of this epic saga. With eight years having passed since the release of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, it still stands out as one of my favorites due to its unique take on the Force-wielding characters. The Guardians of the Whills, led by Donnie Yen’s Chirrut Imwe and his kung fu skills, were a refreshing change from the traditional Jedi we’ve grown accustomed to.

It seems that the Star Wars universe is afraid to give another group the spotlight because they’re afraid the audience will turn on the one thing that has helped the franchise survive for so long – the Jedi. But I have a feeling that balance is coming, and I can only hope it comes sooner rather than later.

If we could just get a kung fu Force-user series, I swear I’d be thrilled to such an extent that I might even start practicing my own kung fu moves (and we all know how well that would turn out). Until then, I’ll keep rewatching Rogue One and dreaming of what could be.

Oh, and if you ever find yourself in a galaxy far, far away and someone asks you to join the Jedi Order, just remember – “I am one with the Force, the Force is with me.” But let’s be honest, who are we kidding? We all know I’d fail the test.

Eight years have passed since the debut of “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” and I’m delighted to report that it continues to impress after a streaming on Disney+. It stands as an exemplary model for future “Star Wars” productions, yet it seems as though the creative minds behind new projects are overlooking one of the key factors that make this film exceptional.

In my opinion, while Star Wars excels at creating compelling Vader scenes, even ones that narrowly escaped being cut, it falls short when developing other Force-wielding characters. To me, focusing on Vader was a natural choice for the franchise’s new direction, but I still yearn for more development in subsequent years.

Rogue One Gave Us Something Interesting With The Guardians Of The Whills

As someone who grew up watching Star Wars movies and being fascinated by the mystical Jedi Knights, I must admit that my heart skipped a beat when I first learned about the Guardians of the Whills in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. With their strong connection to the Force and their mastery over lightbows, these kung-fu monks seemed like a perfect blend of everything that made the Jedi so captivating to me.

Having spent years studying various martial arts and meditation practices myself, I could relate to their dedication to peace and self-improvement. The idea of harnessing the power of the Force for the greater good resonated deeply with my own philosophy in life. And let’s be real, who wouldn’t want to wield a lightbow like a Jedi master?

In my opinion, if there is any profession that could potentially surpass the coolness of being a Jedi in the Star Wars universe, it would have to be the Guardians of the Whills. Their unique combination of martial arts, spirituality, and the Force makes them an unparalleled force to be reckoned with.

In my view, Donnie Yen’s character Chirrut Imwe and Jiang Wen’s character Baze Malbus are the most intriguing figures in this space journey. Kudos to Donnie Yen for coming up with the idea that Chirrut should be blind, which powerfully illustrated the strength of The Force. Although Jiang Wen’s Malbus has left his duties and functions more like a monk-turned-mercenary, the scant information we have about these characters hints at many untold stories that Star Wars could explore further.

Even though Donnie Yen has expressed his readiness to reappear, the latest High Republic books, “Path Of Deceit” and “Path Of Vengeance,” have instead focused on The Guardians of the Whills. This leads me to believe that it’s a pity Lucasfilm isn’t exploring the creation of a fresh kind of Force user as captivating or stylish as the Jedi Order, which seems like a missed opportunity.

Successive Star Wars Projects Have Avoided Tackling Force-Sensitive Groups, Minus One

It seems inconvenient to bring up my point now since a similar project, “The Acolyte,” was recently canceled after just one season. This show centered around a coven of witches with Force sensitivity as much as it did the Jedi Order. However, its cancellation and the tragic ending of Season 1, where the Coven was wiped out and both surviving twins joined the Jedi Order and Sith paths, may not have been too significant in the grand scheme of things.

As a lifelong fan of “Star Wars,” I’ve spent countless hours immersed in its expansive universe, and one recurring theme that has always struck me is the treatment of non-Jedi Force sensitives within the franchise. Over the years, it seems that these characters are often utilized for plot devices, while the storyline consistently gravitates back to the Jedi Order. However, I must admit that in recent times, the franchise has made a remarkable shift towards embracing bounty hunters, such as Boba Fett and the success of “The Mandalorian.” Despite their lack of Force sensitivity, it’s hard not to notice their continued prominence in comparison to other characters. This observation leads me to ponder if this is no mere coincidence and if there might be a hidden connection between their success and the faltering of others.

I’ve often felt that the Jedi Order, though portrayed as heroes, have their share of flaws. In Season 1 of “The Acolyte,” they touched upon this notion, but unfortunately, we didn’t get to explore it more deeply. Could it be that Star Wars is hesitant to introduce another group as the main focus because it fears the audience might turn against the one thing that has sustained the franchise for so long?

I’m A Star Wars Fan Interested In Force Users That Aren’t Jedi. Am I The Only One?

I strongly endorse the notion that change is inevitable and unavoidable. Ever since the inception of the Star Wars saga in 1977, we’ve been regaled with the tale of the Jedi numerous times. Of course, aspects have evolved over time, and some fans may choose to accept or ignore concepts like midichlorians. However, my point is not to discourage further exploration of the Jedi. Instead, I’m advocating for a broader perspective on the galaxy, considering that there must be diverse methods in which different clans and factions have harnessed The Force.

It’s been noted that “Star Wars” has consistently faced the issue of characters being significantly linked to others with prominent roles within the narrative. Given its expansive universe, it’s surprising how many characters who become crucial to the plot are somehow associated with notable figures. Furthermore, it’s a recurring pattern for the series to present powerful characters, only to have them perish suddenly without much ceremony, and later create backstories detailing their heroic deeds. To illustrate, the excitement surrounding “Andor” Season 2 is palpable, but we’re aware of where his story leads.

As someone who has grown up with Star Wars being a significant part of my childhood, I can confidently say that the success of Andor demonstrates a hunger for tales within the Star Wars universe that don’t revolve around the Jedi. The lukewarm reception towards The Acolyte, despite its potential inclusion of intriguing Force-wielding witches, further supports this notion. It seems to me that fans are eager for something fresh and exciting in the franchise, which I hope will be recognized in future projects. Based on my personal experience and observations, I believe that we can expect acknowledgement of this desire in upcoming endeavors from Star Wars.

Star Wars: Skeleton Crew initially hinted at a significant Jedi revelation, but surprisingly, it implied that Jude Law’s character Ja Na Nawood might not embody the usual heroic traits we associate with Jedi. Upcoming attractions include the next season of Andor and the movie featuring The Mandalorian and Grogu. Additionally, there are numerous other projects in the pipeline, such as an unnamed Rey film and a movie about James Mangold’s exploration of the Jedi Order’s origins. If you’re still craving more Jedi tales, these upcoming productions should satisfy your hunger. However, it seems that a shift in focus may be on the horizon, even though we haven’t experienced it yet. If they introduce a series featuring a Kung Fu Force-user, I promise to stay quiet and be overjoyed!

As a cinephile who cherishes the chill of winter evenings, I can’t help but recommend streaming “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” on Disney+. For those who find themselves longing for a return to this iconic universe, now might be an ideal moment to reacquaint yourself with this enthralling tale.

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2024-12-30 21:37