George Lucas’ Controversial Star Wars Movie Just Got A Surprising Sequel

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A surprisingly long-awaited sequel was made to one of the most debated Star Wars films George Lucas ever created. While Lucas built the Star Wars universe and gave us many of its most memorable moments, not all of his films were hits with fans. Before selling Star Wars to Disney in 2012, Lucas oversaw the first six movies, and some sparked more controversy than others.

When the first three Star Wars prequels were released, they sparked a lot of debate. Many critics and longtime fans found them disappointing, pointing to the heavy use of computer effects, awkward characters, and some of George Lucas’ choices as both writer and director. The original trilogy – especially A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back – was much more successful. While still popular, Return of the Jedi didn’t receive quite the same level of praise.

Most fans consider Return of the Jedi to be the weakest film in the original Star Wars trilogy. While still generally enjoyed, it doesn’t reach the same heights as The Empire Strikes Back. Elements like the second Death Star, the Ewoks, and the Jabba’s Palace sequence—particularly Leia’s outfit—haven’t held up well over time.

Although George Lucas didn’t direct Return of the Jedi, he wrote the screenplay. The film was released when he was leading both Lucasfilm and the Star Wars franchise. Despite being a somewhat controversial installment, Return of the Jedi recently received a sequel – The Mandalorian and Grogu – 43 years after its 1983 debut. This sequel unexpectedly gives the once-divisive movie a renewed and significant place in the Star Wars story.

The Mandalorian And Grogu Is A Direct Sequel To Return Of The Jedi

While it doesn’t feature Luke, Leia, or the original characters, The Mandalorian and Grogu continues the story directly after Return of the Jedi. It’s set just a few years following the events of that film, placing it much closer in time to Return of the Jedi than The Force Awakens, which happens 30 years later. Essentially, it’s a more immediate continuation of the original saga.

The Mandalorian and Grogu continues the story after the events of Return of the Jedi, and explores what happened after the Empire fell. While Return of the Jedi showed the Rebels winning, it didn’t show the difficulties of building a new government or dealing with the chaos following the war. We see Darth Vader defeat the Emperor and the destruction of the Death Star, but not what happened next as the galaxy transitioned to a new order.

While previous comics and the Mandalorian TV series have touched on the time right after Return of the Jedi, The Mandalorian & Grogu is the first movie to fully show us what happened in the galaxy following the end of the Galactic Civil War. It explains what became of the remaining Imperial forces, how the Empire was replaced, and how the galaxy as a whole changed after Palpatine’s defeat.

The story of The Mandalorian and Grogu takes place after the Galactic Civil War. Din Djarin and Grogu are tasked by the New Republic with tracking down remaining Imperial leaders who are still in power. They also investigate the consequences of Jabba the Hutt’s death and how it affects the Hutt Cartel. Essentially, The Mandalorian and Grogu continues the story begun in Return of the Jedi.

The Mandalorian And Grogu Also Took A Lot Of Inspiration From Return Of The Jedi

Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for The Mandalorian and Grogu.

As a huge fan, I see The Mandalorian and Grogu as more than just a continuation of the Star Wars saga after Return of the Jedi – it feels like a continuation of its spirit too. It’s clear the filmmakers intentionally aimed to recapture the look and feel of the original trilogy. From the marketing, which promised a classic, pulpy sci-fi adventure, to the wonderful use of practical effects and puppets, and even Jon Favreau himself saying he wanted to bring back that original Star Wars magic, it’s obvious they were trying to give us that same feeling we all loved.

While The Mandalorian and Grogu aimed to capture the feel of the original Star Wars trilogy, it particularly mirrored Return of the Jedi. The third act of the series is strikingly similar to the opening of that film. Din Djarin is captured by the Hutt Twins, narrowly escapes execution by falling into a pit with a dangerous creature, and ultimately rescues his friend, Rotta the Hutt, who then defeats the Twins. This sequence closely follows the events of Luke Skywalker entering Jabba’s palace, surviving an encounter with a Rancor, freeing Han Solo, and witnessing Leia kill Jabba.

Beyond the obvious connections, The Mandalorian and Grogu share several striking similarities with Return of the Jedi. For instance, both stories heavily feature organized crime, particularly the Hutt Cartel. Jabba the Hutt’s demise in Return of the Jedi is echoed in the storylines of both the Twins and Rotta. Even the creatures in the dejarik game and the wobbly, stop-motion robots guarding the Twins’ throne rooms are reminiscent of elements from Return of the Jedi.

A particularly touching moment in The Mandalorian and Grogu echoes a key theme from Return of the Jedi. When Grogu saves Din Djarin’s life, Din declares, “The young take care of the old. This is the Way.” This mirrors the scene in Return of the Jedi where Luke Skywalker cares for Yoda as he passes away, reinforcing the idea that younger generations look after their elders. Both stories emphasize the importance of passing down knowledge and responsibility, and it’s also clear that Grogu and Yoda belong to the same rare species.

Return of the Jedi Should Continue Being Important To Star Wars

With The Mandalorian and Grogu, Star Wars is entering a new phase, drawing inspiration from Return of the Jedi. This film is the first Star Wars movie in seven years, following The Rise of Skywalker, and despite a somewhat uncertain start at the box office, it signals a return to big-screen storytelling for the franchise and paves the way for future movies like Star Wars: Starfighter.

It’s interesting that the new Star Wars films seem to be focusing on stories similar to Return of the Jedi. This trend is expected to continue with upcoming projects. Even though Starfighter takes place after The Rise of Skywalker, the next live-action series, Ahsoka season 2, will also explore the remnants of the Empire and the fallout from the Galactic Civil War.

Upcoming Star Wars Movies & Shows
Title Release Date
Star Wars: Visions Presents – The Ninth Jedi Late 2026
Ahsoka Season 2 Early 2027
Star Wars: Starfighter May 28, 2027
New Jedi Order TBA
Simon Kinberg’s Trilogy TBA
Dawn of the Jedi TBA
Star Wars: Visions Season 4 TBA
The Mandalorian Season 4 TBA

The Mandoverse, much like The Mandalorian and Grogu, can be seen as a continuation of the story from Return of the Jedi. It explores the aftermath of the Empire’s fall, focusing on the resulting chaos within both criminal organizations and the New Republic, and takes place only a few years later. Dave Filoni is still working on a movie that’s expected to connect all the different stories within the Mandoverse.

While recent box office numbers for The Mandalorian and Grogu might be concerning, the film is receiving excellent reviews, with many viewers enjoying its echoes of Return of the Jedi. Even if Disney pauses Din and Grogu’s story, successfully capturing the feel of Return of the Jedi remains a strong approach for the franchise. Currently, the future of Star Wars appears closely linked to the themes and style of Return of the Jedi.

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2026-05-26 22:42