All 8 Disney Star Wars Characters That Successfully Replaced the Original Trilogy Characters

In the years following Disney's acquisition by Star Warsthe company created some new characters that became rather strange replacements for those who debuted in the original Star Wars trilogy. George Lucas left quite a legacy to be seen after selling Lucasfilm to Disney, and with a sequel trilogy in order, Star Wars began to be heavily inspired by the project that were Lucas's three original films. Although there are still some differences between these characters, Star Wars managed not so subtly to make “replacements” of these original characters from the trilogy.

It should be noted that Using the term “successfully” in relation to these “replacements” does not indicate that these characters are better than those they were modeled after. This decision is completely subjective. This list is more of a look at which characters actually adapted various parts of the original trilogy characters they were modeled on, especially those that have become well recognized and successful in their own right. With that said, here are the 8 Disney Star Wars characters who have managed to become modern-era replacements for those who came before.

8

BB-8 replaced R2-D2

First appeared: Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)

Droids have become a beloved part of the Star Wars franchise, all thanks to R2-D2 and C-3PO. As the first two androids to be seen in Star Warsthis duo has served as the model for virtually every new android that has joined the franchise since. BB-8 in particular, however, was arguably created as an intentional replacement for R2-D2, due to the fact that he is an astromech loyal to his vital role in each installment of the sequel Star Wars trilogy. Star Wars: The Force Awakens makes it pretty obvious that BB-8 should take on R2's role.

R2 is notably absent throughout The Force Awakenshaving closed in after Luke Skywalker was exiled to Ahch-To. The beloved astromech is literally kept under a sheet at the Resistance base as he remains in what appears to be a permanent sleep, only waking up when it's time to complete the map for Luke. There's a scene where BB-8 approaches R2 in this state and tries to interact with him, and it feels a lot like a passing of the torch. type of moment. BB-8 has continued to carry that torch into the modern era as Poe Dameron's loyal droid.

7

Maz Kanata replaced Yoda

First appeared: Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)

While it's certainly more complicated here, Maz Kanata has become a Yoda stand-in in many ways. First, it is important to note that Maz is a character known for existing for a long timebringing her a kind of familiarity with the galaxy and its inhabitants that no one else would or could have. This is similar to Yoda's unnamed species, which is one of the longest-lived, if not the longest-lived, species in the entire galaxy. Both Maz and Yoda share this similarity in addition to their size, which is smaller than most other sentients.

What connects Maz to Yoda particularly is her wisdom that seems to derive from the Force or something similar, which is key when she tries to encourage Rey to pick up the Skywalker lightsaber. The simple fact that Maz possesses the Skywalker lightsaber and knows what happens to Rey when she touches it seems to indicate a familiarity with the Force that has not yet been detailed. His gentle but insistent push for Rey to follow her destiny is very similar to Yoda doing the same for Luke in the original trilogy.as well as their continued friendship.

6

Poe Dameron replaced Han Solo

First appeared: Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)

Poe Dameron is without a doubt a perfect fit for the mold of Han Solo in the original Star Wars trilogy, from a scoundrel past to an eternal love for flying. Poe is known for being one of the best pilots, if not the best, in the Resistance and the greater galaxy – which helped him earn his position in Leia Organa's army. Han, of course, is also the self-proclaimed best pilot in the galaxy, and while he initially doesn't take a formal position in the Rebel Alliance, he later becomes a true part of the fight to overthrow the Empire.

In Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalkerthe audience learns that Poe actually had a brief stint as a spice seller, or at least helped a team of spice sellers in their quick escapes. This life spent as a scoundrel was undoubtedly destined to entirely resemble Han's livelihood as a smuggler.something he abandons for a period after putting down roots with Leia. This is worth saying Star Wars may be getting another Han Solo replacement with Jude Law's Jod Na Nawood in Star Wars: Skeleton Crewbut the story is too new to draw firm conclusions.

5

Disney's Luke Skywalker Replaced Obi-Wan Kenobi

First appeared: Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)

Luke Skywalker is obviously an original character to the trilogy, but many would argue and agree that Disney's Luke is very different from the young man who saved the galaxy in the original Star Wars trilogy. Disney's take on Luke in the sequel trilogy saw him essentially replacing Obi-Wan Kenobi, albeit with a more jaded view of the Jedi and the future of the galaxy as a whole. While Luke's self-imposed exile and second act training for Rey are more reminiscent of Yoda, his overall role in Rey's journey more closely matches that of her first Jedi Master.

This is especially true when Luke gives his life to save the Resistance in Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Although he remains on Ahch-To, Luke uses the Force to project himself to Crait, where the remnants of the Resistance seek to escape. After distracting Supreme Leader Kylo Ren long enough to let the Resistance escape, Luke becomes one with the Force in the same way that Obi-Wan does during his lightsaber fight with Darth Vader in A New Hope. He then appears later as a Force ghost to provide guidance to Rey, just as his former master did for him.

4

Hera Syndulla replaced Leia Organa

First Appeared: Star Wars Rebels (2014)

Leia Organa is a difficult character to replace, but the closest Star Wars achieved this feat with Hera Syndulla. The Twi'lek pilot is essential to the formation of the Rebel Alliance, with her Phoenix rebel cell achieving some of the Rebellion's early mission successes. Hera even worked with Leia during this period, and their relationship would grow as they continued to work together in the Rebel Alliance over the years. – as evidenced by Leia coming to Hera's defense in Ahsoka TV program.

Selling as Star Wars hesitated to recast any of the originals Star Wars characters in the trilogy, Hera has thus far played the role that Leia would likely have played in the modern stories. In Ahsokashe represents the authority of the New Republic as a general as she tries to help the heroes by putting what is right ahead of what is regulation. She is the one who is not afraid to take risks in the same way as Leia during the original trilogy. Hera may not be an official princess, but she is certainly the people's princess.

3

Kylo Ren replaced Darth Vader

First appeared: Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)

With much of the sequel trilogy echoing what came before, it's no surprise that Star Wars wanted to recreate the exploits of Darth Vader with his own villain, Kylo Ren. Kylo was originally created to serve as the antithesis of Vader, falling further into darkness instead of moving closer to redemption, but this character arc took a sharp turn. Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Now, from the family history he shares to the mask that often hides his face, Kylo Ren essentially functions as Disney's stand-in for Star Wars most iconic villain.

This is especially true when looking at the endings of their stories. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker sees Kylo return to the light as Ben Solo, all because of a family memberand after fighting Emperor Palpatine, he sacrifices the last of his Life Force to save Rey – the same person who acted as his catalyst for redemption in the first place. This is very similar to Vader's own redemptive moment where he sacrifices himself to kill the Emperor and save his son. Kylo was clearly destined to take Vader's place in these more recent films.

2

Din Djarin replaced Boba Fett

First appeared: The Mandalorian (2019)

Perhaps the most successful replacement of any Star Wars The original character in the trilogy is Din Djarin, the Mandalorian bounty hunter who took Boba Fett's place. Initially introduced as a mysterious bounty hunter operating during a lawless time, Din Djarin was perfectly prepared for his role as the outlaw gunslinger everyone imagined Boba Fett to be.. Though he, of course, has a completely different code of honor than Boba Fett and is therefore more forgiving than the galaxy's most famous bounty hunter, Din still evokes much of what was once imagined for Boba.

Din Djarin's story is essentially the one that many wanted to see with Boba Fett, and because of this, Boba's story can no longer be told in the same way. – as evidenced by The Book of Boba Fettwhich many viewers still agree is largely a disappointment. Din has the mysterious, faceless element that was present in Boba in the original trilogy, made even starker by Din's strict Mandalorian helmet rule, and his silhouette is also very similar to Boba's. Given the enormous success The Mandalorian has been, this substitution clearly worked for Disney.

1

Rey replaced Luke Skywalker

First appeared: Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)

The only most obvious and successful replacement is Rey as Luke Skywalker, especially considering where she will go in the future. Star Wars films. Both Rey and Luke are nineteen years old at the start of their journeys, and they both come from desert planets – and the only difference between them is that Rey wants to stay there, while Luke is eager to go. In their first film, they both realize their Force potential for the first time, and the second film sees them receiving the first part of their Jedi training, which they ultimately leave behind prematurely.

The third film continues this trend for both of them, with their training being completed when they finally face Emperor Palpatine in a galaxy-spanning battle. At the end of their respective films both have a clear path to follow: rebuild the Jedi Order. With Rey's new Jedi Order film currently in development, it appears Disney is gearing up to tell the story of Luke's new Jedi Order as depicted in Star Wars Legends with your new hero. Rey will no doubt continue to parallel Luke in Star Warsgiven how much she has already done this.