The Star Wars sequel trilogy ignored one of creator George Lucas’ most interesting narrative rules. The sequel movies split the Star Wars fandom right down the middle. Some loved this generation’s new trio and the bold choices made in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, while others felt the sequel films tarnished Lucas’ legacy and the characters that had made Star Wars so beloved.

Interestingly, even though Star Wars: The Force Awakens was essentially structured as a retelling of the first Star Wars movie, A New Hope, the sequel films ignored one of George Lucas’ biggest plot points. This narrative device had a major impact on the leading characters in the original Star Wars trilogy and the prequel trilogy, though in very different ways. So why not use it in the sequels, as well?

The Main Characters Of The OT & Prequels Both Lose A Hand

The original and prequel trilogies include a trio of leading characters; Luke Skywalker and his father, Anakin Skywalker, are, however, the clear protagonists of their respective films. As such, it’s no surprise that Lucas highlighted several parallels in their developmental arcs, though none are as obvious and intriguing as each losing a hand during a pivotal duel. Those moments acted as turning points in their stories.

Luke Skywalker loses his hand while fighting Darth Vader in Cloud City in The Empire Strikes Back. It happens just before Vader reveals that he is his father. Luke is downtrodden and in pain, and Vader uses that moment to his advantage, manipulating Luke’s emotions. Anakin, meanwhile, loses his hand – nearly his whole arm – during a duel with Count Dooku in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, foreshadowing their ᴅᴇᴀᴅly reunion in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith.

Only Supreme Leader Snoke Technically Loses His Hands In The Last Jedi

One surprising figure did, technically, lose their hand in the sequels, though not in the same way or with nearly as much significance. In The Last Jedi, Supreme Leader Snoke is killed by Kylo Ren. Kylo uses the Force to maneuver his grandfather’s lightsaber into the right position, and strikes when the time is right, impaling Snoke on his throne. The bright blue blade goes straight through Snoke’s waist and pierces both his wrists, too. It’s an easily missed detail, though, and not one that holds much meaning for the story itself.

Surely, if any character was destined to have their hand cut off in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, it should have been Rey. She was not only the sequels’ primary protagonist and Jedi character but also became an honorary Skywalker by the end of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. That didn’t happen, however, breaking that classic George Lucas rule. What might have happened if Rey had lost her hand in the Star Wars sequel trilogy?

Star Wars

Star Wars is a multimedia franchise that started in 1977 by creator George Lucas. After the release of Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope (originally just тιтled Star Wars), the franchise quickly exploded, spawning multiple sequels, prequels, TV shows, video games, comics, and much more. After Disney acquired the rights to the franchise, they quickly expanded the universe on Disney+, starting with The Mandalorian.

Created by

George Lucas

First Film

Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope

Cast

Mark Hamill, James Earl Jones, David Prowse, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Ian McDiarmid, Ewan McGregor, Rosario Dawson, Lars Mikkelsen, Rupert Friend, Moses Ingram, Frank Oz, Pedro Pascal

TV Show(s)

The Mandalorian, Andor, Obi-Wan Kenobi, The Book of Boba Fett, Ahsoka, The Acolyte, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, Lando, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels, Star Wars: The Bad Batch, Star Wars: Resistance, Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures, Star Wars: Visions

Character(s)

Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Rey Skywalker, Emperor Palpatine / Darth Sidious, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ahsoka Tano, Grand Admiral Thrawn, Grand Inquisitor, Reva (The Third Sister), The Fifth Brother, The Seventh Sister, The Eighth Brother, Yoda, Din Djarin, Grogu, Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader, Leia Organa, Ben Solo/Kylo Ren

Video Game(s)

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II – The Sith Lords, Star Wars Battlefront (2015), Star Wars: Battlefront 2 (2005), Star Wars: The Force Unleashed , Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

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