Star Wars storytelling; so much so, the darkness was brought back in a controversial and convoluted manner in the Star Wars sequel trilogy.

Over the last few years, though, since the divisive release of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Star Wars has, for the most part, pivoted away from the Sith, recognizing that other powers at work in the galaxy deserve more screen time. Now, however, with Rey’s new Jedi order on the horizon, I’m worried that Star Wars will fall into the trap of the Sith once more. Though there’s something to be said for exploring the Sith’s history, Star Wars’ future should belong to another type of villain entirely, one Star Wars has recently begun exploring in great detail.

The Nihil Pirates Have Plundered The Galaxy In The High Republic Era

Star Wars: The High Republic is a multi-phase transmedia publishing initiative exploring the history of the Jedi Order and the Republic a few centuries before the events of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. In essence, the High Republic was the Jedi’s Golden Age, their positive influence spreading across the galaxy as, together with the Republic, they reached out to previously untouched and forgotten worlds in the Outer Rim. Not everyone agreed with the Jedi’s influence or the Republic’s policies, though.

From the first High Republic-era story, Charles Soule’s Star Wars: Light of the Jedi, it was clear that the violent and devious band of marauders known as the Nihil would be a major adversary for the Jedi and the Republic. Their leader, Marchion Ro, an enigmatic yet incredibly cunning Evereni, devised a multistep plan to destroy the Republic’s outreach efforts, scatter its resources, and force the Jedi to retreat from terrifying, Force-eating creatures known as the Nameless.

The Nihil, more than any other major non-Sith adversary the Jedi have faced, proved that the Jedi’s enemies didn’t need to be able to wield the Force to be compelling.

The Nihil, more than any other major non-Sith adversary the Jedi have faced, proved that the Jedi’s enemies didn’t need to be able to wield the Force to be compelling or make the Jedi question their role in the galaxy. Marchion Ro outsmarted the Jedi, devastated the Republic, and even claimed a whole section of the galaxy for his pirates, all without breaking a sweat. That’s the kind of enemy Star Wars should continue to build on. Pirates have been a staple of Star Wars since the beginning, but perhaps now, it’s their perfect time to shine.

Pirates Roam Freely In The New Republic Era

Pirates haven’t just made a name for themselves in the High Republic era. They’ve become a major part of Star Wars’ wider storytelling. In the so-called “Mandoverse” sub-franchise, which explores how the galaxy fared after the fall of the Empire under the New Republic’s rule, pirates are still a force to be reckoned with in the galaxy. This is most evident in Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, as well as in The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett.

What Skeleton Crew has done so well, even with just a few episodes, is depicting just how varied and creative pirate-like characters can be, especially when contrasted with the Jedi and Sith legends Wim reads. Pirates may be thought of as selfish, greedy, and simplistic, but people become pirates for different reasons – there’s so much Star Wars could explore if they focused more on the space-faring side of the galaxy rather than the Force itself. Pirates are exciting because they aren’t tied to any rules or doctrines. The Sith have one all-encoming goal; a pirate can hunt for anything.

Is Star Wars Afraid Of Pursuing More Sith Stories?

I believe Star Wars should leave the Sith in the past, at least for a while. That’s why I’m so excited by the franchise’s most recent output. They’re not just focusing on pirates, but witches, too, and digging deeper into the Force’s lore than solely what the Sith and Jedi believe in and use. It’s an exciting time, and I hope Star Wars sticks with it, even if Rey is building a new Jedi Order. It feels like there might be something more going on too, however. Star Wars is a nostalgia-based property, so why is it so keen to try something new now?

Star Wars is a nostalgia-based property, so why is it so keen to try something new now?

Perhaps, on some level, Lucasfilm doesn’t just want to pursue new stories. Maybe it’s also somewhat afraid of digging deeper into the Sith’s mysterious nature. Recent opportunities to do so have seemingly backfired; the backlash against Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker's Palpatine resurrection was significant, and what Star Wars: The Acolyte suffered was arguably even worse. Both of those put the Sith front and center, and perhaps, to some degree, Star Wars has internalized that interfering with what audiences already know about the Sith is too risky. Star Wars audiences are notoriously difficult to please. Why mess with canon when you can give them something new instead?

Star Wars needed to branch out, and I hope that moment is now. Pirates and other villains deserve the chance to take center stage, and the franchise’s future heroes should be allowed to go up against new, unproven, yet formidable foes, just as the High Republic’s and Skeleton Crew's pirates have turned out to be. Star Wars’ heroes, and especially the Jedi, may always prevail in the end, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t encounter different enemies along the way.