As a massive fan of both the Star Wars timeline moves on from the Skywalker Saga, which was said to end with Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Luke and Leia remain essential.
Indeed, many Star Wars TV shows would presumably still link to Luke and Leia's respective stories. Movies like The Mandalorian & Grogu and shows such as Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, for example, are both set during the New Republic Era, a period during which both Luke and Leia had incredible significance—Leia especially, with the formation and early years of the New Republic Senate. Because of that significance, though, Star Wars has one major hurdle to address with the twins.
Star Wars: New Republic Timeline Explained
The New Republic Era is a brief period of galactic history, but it's vitally important to Star Wars. Here are all the key galactic events!
Luke And Leia's Absence In The New Republic Era Has Gone On Long Enough
Star Wars has produced a number of shows set during the New Republic era in recent years, including The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, and Ahsoka. Given the era, it would make sense for Luke and Leia to have been major players in these shows. Instead, though, Leia has been all but absent, and Luke has made brief cameos. In The Mandalorian season 2 finale, Luke (thrillingly) appeared to retrieve Grogu and bring him to his Jedi Temple.
The Book of Boba Fett picked up this storyline, revealing that Grogu temporarily trained with Luke but then chose a life with Din Djarin. For the most part, this brief cameo from Luke worked in these two shows. Neither The Mandalorian nor The Book of Boba Fett is focused on the Skywalkers or, really, the Jedi (nor should they be), so it didn't feel all that unusual for Luke to just make a brief appearance; in fact, to the contrary, it was thrilling to see. Ahsoka was a different matter, however.
In the Ahsoka show, Hera Syndulla has to stand before a of New Republic senators to answer for her decision to act without senate approval. Notably, Leia Organa is not present, despite the fact that she undoubtedly would have remained quite critical at that time. Instead, Ahsoka got creative, having C-3PO come in her stead and speak on her behalf. While this was legitimately very creative, it felt noticeably odd. Unlike in The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett, it felt almost distracting to see Star Wars work so obviously to explain away Leia's absence.
Unlike in The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett, it felt almost distracting to see Star Wars work so obviously to explain away Leia's absence.
Recasting Luke And Leia Is A Touchy Subject
While it's clear that Luke and Leia should be included in Star Wars projects, particularly those set during the New Republic era, that's easier said than done. Presumably, it would make the most sense for Star Wars to recast the roles, getting actors who look as close to the original actors as possible (which has been part of the approach to live-action Luke Skywalker in recent shows). However, recasting Luke and Leia is an incredibly touchy subject, for both good reasons and not-so-good ones.
Controversies would arise for a number of reasons if Star Wars chose to recast these characters, although one of the most significant (and valid) reasons for this is Carrie Fisher's tragic ing. It would be a major understatement to say that Carrie Fisher is beloved in the franchise, and, even were she alive, finding someone to step into her shoes would prove challenging. In light of the grief over Fisher's loss that still remains in the fanbase, recasting Leia would only be all the more scrutinized.
In light of the grief over Fisher's loss that still remains in the fanbase, recasting Leia would only be all the more scrutinized.
Of course, a much less pleasant reality is that Star Wars' fanbase is not one that generally takes kindly to change, even if it's to move a brilliant character's plot forward. Inevitably, there would be backlash about who was chosen for both Luke and Leia. Toxic nostalgia is a real thing, and it unfortunately permeates the Star Wars franchise at times. The sad truth about that, though, is it won't truly matter who Star Wars picks—there will be backlash either way.
Star Wars Has To Commit To The Recast Anyway
Even knowing backlash and controversy are inevitable, recasting Luke and Leia is still the right move for Star Wars. At the end of the day, it just doesn't make sense for Luke, Leia, and perhaps even Han Solo to not be present during these major events in the New Republic era. In fact, if anything, it's a major disservice to the characters. It does the characters and the original actors no justice by having them sit out these major events.
It does the characters and the original actors no justice by having them sit out these major events.
After all, with Thrawn on his way back to the main Star Wars galaxy in the Ahsoka finale, how could Luke and Leia not get involved? At this stage of the game, it simply isn't enough for Luke and Leia to be name-dropped. There is no doubt in my mind that Luke and Leia would be on the frontlines in a fight against Thrawn and the Imperial remnants, so a recast truly seems to be the only option. Anything less than that very likely wouldn't feel authentic or organic.
Moreover, movies like Solo: A Star Wars Story have proven that this can be done. In fact, one would assume this could mean a Han Solo actor who can return in this new era has already been identified. Yes, Solo faced its own batch of criticism, but it made a full Han Solo story possible in a way that de-aging Harrison Ford simply would not have.
ittedly, I empathize with those who would have a hard time accepting a new Luke and Leia. While I think it would be wonderful to see Mark Hamill participate behind the scenes in bringing a new Luke Skywalker to the Star Wars screen, it's difficult to imagine anyone but Carrie Fisher playing Leia, especially with Fisher now gone. However, to properly honor Carrie Fisher and be true to Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa's characters, Star Wars has to recast these characters rather than continue to exclude them.
