In the years following Disney’s acquisition ofStar Wars, the company has created some new characters who have become pretty uncanny replacements for those who debuted in the originalStar Warstrilogy. George Lucas left quite a legacy to behold after hesold Lucasfilm to Disney, and with a sequel trilogy in order,Star Warsbegan to take some hefty inspiration from the blueprint that was Lucas' original three movies. Though there are still quite a few differences between these characters,Star Warshas not-so-subtly managed to make “replacements” of these original trilogy characters.
It ought to be noted thatusing the term “successfully” in regard to these “replacements” does not indicate that these characters are better than those they’re modeled after. That decision is entirely subjective. This list is rather a look into which characters have truly adapted various parts of the original trilogy characters that they’re modeled after, especially those who have become well-recognized and successful in their own right. With that being said, here are the 8 DisneyStar Warscharacters who have successfully managed to become modern-era replacements of those who came before.
8BB-8 Has Replaced R2-D2
First Appeared: Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
Droids have become a beloved part of theStar Warsfranchise, all thanks to R2-D2 and C-3PO. As the first two droids to ever be seen inStar Wars, this duo has served as the blueprint for practically every new droid that’s joined the franchise ever since. BB-8 in particular, however, was no doubt created as an intentional replacement for R2-D2, from the facthe’s a loyal astromech to his vital role in each installment of the sequelStar Warstrilogy.Star Wars: The Force Awakensmakes it quite obvious that BB-8 is meant to take on R2’s role.
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R2 is notably absent throughoutThe Force Awakens, having shut himself down after Luke Skywalker went into exile on Ahch-To. The beloved astromech is literally kept underneath a sheet at theResistance’s base as he remains in what seems to be permanent slumber, only waking when it’s time for him to complete the map to Luke.There’s a scene in which BB-8 approaches R2 in this state and tries to interact with him, and it very much feels like a passing-the-torchkind of moment. BB-8 has continued to carry that torch into the modern era as Poe Dameron’s loyal droid.
7Maz Kanata Has Replaced Yoda
What particularly connects Maz to Yoda is her wisdom that seems to derive from the Force or something similar, which is key when she tries to encourage Rey to take the Skywalker lightsaber. The mere fact that Maz has the Skywalker lightsaber, and knows what happens to Rey upon touching the saber, seems to indicate a familiarity with the Force that hasn’t yet been detailed.Her gentle yet insistent push for Rey to pursue her destiny feels very similar to Yoda doing the same for Luke in the original trilogy, as does her continued friendship.
6Poe Dameron Has Replaced Han Solo
Poe Dameron is no doubt a firm fit for Han Solo’s mold in the originalStar Warstrilogy, from a scoundrel past to an undying love for flying. Poe is known to be one of the best pilots, if not the best, in the Resistance and the greater galaxy - which has helped him to earn his position in Leia Organa’s army. Han, of course, is also the self-professed best pilot in the galaxy, and though he initially doesn’t assume a formal position in theRebel Alliance, he later becomes a true part of the fight to take down the Empire.
It’s worth saying that Star Wars may be setting up another Han Solo replacement with Jude Law’s Jod Na Nawood in Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, but the story is too new to draw firm conclusions.
InStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, audiences learn that Poe actually had a brief spell as a spice runner, or at least assisting a team of spice runners in their quick getaways.This past life as a scoundrel was no doubt meant to be entirely reminiscent of Han’s livelihood as a smuggler, something he abandons for a spell after putting down roots with Leia. It’s worth saying thatStar Warsmay be setting up another Han Solo replacement with Jude Law’s Jod Na Nawood inStar Wars: Skeleton Crew, but the story is too new to draw firm conclusions.
5Disney’s Luke Skywalker Has Replaced Obi-Wan Kenobi
Luke Skywalker is, of course, an original trilogy character himself, but many would argue and agree thatDisney’s Luke is vastly different from the young man who saved the galaxy in the originalStar Warstrilogy. Disney’s take on Luke in the sequel trilogy saw him essentially replacing Obi-Wan Kenobi, albeit with a more jaded outlook on the Jedi and the future of the galaxy as a whole. While Luke’s self-imposed exile and second act training for Rey is more reminiscent of Yoda, his overall role in Rey’s journey matches up more with his first Jedi Master.
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This is especially true when Luke gives his life to save the Resistance inStar Wars: The Last Jedi. Though he remains on Ahch-To, Luke uses the Force to project himself to Crait, where the remnants of the Resistance are seeking escape. After distracting Supreme Leader Kylo Ren long enough to let the Resistance escape,Luke becomes one with the Force in the same way Obi-Wan does during his lightsaber fight with Darth Vader inA New Hope. He then appears later on as aForce ghostto provide Rey with guidance, just like his former master did for him.
4Hera Syndulla Has Replaced Leia Organa
First Appeared: Star Wars Rebels (2014)
Leia Organa is a difficult character to ever replace, but the closestStar Warshas come to accomplishing this feat is withHera Syndulla. The Twi’lek pilot is essential to the formation of the Rebel Alliance, with her Phoenix rebel cell accomplishing some of the Rebellion’s earliest mission successes.Hera even worked with Leia during that time, and their relationship would grow as they continued to work with one another in the Rebel Alliance over the years- as evidenced by Leia coming to Hera’s defense in theAhsokaTV show.
Seeing asStar Warshas been hesitant to recast any of the originalStar Warstrilogy characters, Hera has so far been fulfilling the role that Leia likely would have had in modern stories. InAhsoka, she represents the authority of theNew Republicas a general while she tries to help the heroes, setting what’s right ahead of what’s regulation.She’s the one who’s not afraid to take risks in the same way Leia wasduring the original trilogy. Hera may not be an official princess, but she certainly is the people’s princess.
3Kylo Ren Has Replaced Darth Vader
With much of the sequel trilogy echoing that which came before, it’s no surprise thatStar Warswanted to recreate Darth Vader’s prowess with their own villain, Kylo Ren. Kylo was originally meant to serve as Vader’s antithesis, falling further into darkness rather than approaching redemption, but this character arc took a turn inStar Wars: The Last Jedi. Now, from the family history he shares to the mask that often conceals his face, Kylo Ren essentially functions as Disney’s replacement forStar Wars’most iconic villain.
This is especially true when looking at the ending of their stories.Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalkersees Kylo return to the light as Ben Solo all because of a family member, and after fighting Emperor Palpatine, he sacrifices what’s left of his life Force to save Rey - the very person who had acted as his catalyst to redemption in the first place. This is strikingly similar to Vader’s own redemptive moment, where he sacrifices himself to kill the Emperor and save his son. Kylo was clearly meant to stand in Vader’s place in these newer movies.
2Din Djarin Has Replaced Boba Fett
First Appeared: The Mandalorian (2019)
Perhaps the most successful replacement of anyStar Warsoriginal trilogy character is Din Djarin, the Mandalorian bounty hunter who’s taken Boba Fett’s place. Initially introduced as a mysterious bounty hunter operating during a lawless time,Din Djarin was perfectly primed for his role as the gunslinging outlaw that everyone had long since imagined Boba Fett to be. Though he, of course, has a completely different honor code than Boba Fett and is thus more merciful than the galaxy’s most famous bounty hunter, Din still evokes much of what was once imagined for Boba.
Din has the mysterious, faceless element that was present for Boba in the original trilogy, made even more rigid by Din’s strict Mandalorian helmet rule, and his silhouette is very similar to that of Boba’s as well.
The story of Din Djarin is essentially that which many wanted to see with Boba Fett, and because of that, Boba’s story cannot truly be told the same way anymore- as evidenced byThe Book of Boba Fett, which many viewers still agree is largely a disappointment. Din has the mysterious, faceless element that was present for Boba in the original trilogy, made even more rigid by Din’s strict Mandalorian helmet rule, and his silhouette is very similar to that of Boba’s as well. Given how massively successfulThe Mandalorianhas been, this replacemet has clearly worked for Disney.
1Rey Has Replaced Luke Skywalker
The only more obvious and successful replacement is Rey as Luke Skywalker, particularly given where she’s headed in thefuture ofStar Warsmovies. Both Rey and Luke are nineteen years old at the beginning of their journeys, and they both hail from desert planets - and the only difference between them is that Rey wants to stay there, while Luke itches to go. In their first movie, they both realize their Force potential for the first time, and the second movie sees them receiving the first part of their Jedi training that they ultimately leave behind prematurely.
The third movie continues this trend for both of them, with their training being completed as they finally face Emperor Palpatine in a battle for the entire galaxy. By the end of their respective movies,they both have a clear path forward: rebuilding the Jedi Order. WithRey’s new Jedi Order moviecurrently in development, it looks as if Disney is preparing to tell the story of Luke’s new Jedi Order as depicted inStar WarsLegendswith their new hero. Rey will no doubt continue to parallel Luke inStar Wars, given how much she’s done so already.
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 titled 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.
