Star Wars: The Last Jedi - 7 Big Problems It's Created For Episode IX
1. Episode IX Has Big Shoes To Fill
The Star Wars sequel trilogy is all about passing the torch onto a new generation, but the question of whether Rey, Finn and Poe are ready to fill the power vacuum left behind by Luke, Han and Leia looms large ahead of Episode IX.
The inclusion of these series legends was a big draw for The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi, so you have to wonder whether the trilogy capper will suffer as a result of their absence (although a Luke Force ghost cameo is very much on the cards).
Perhaps the biggest problem is the dynamic between Rey, Finn and Poe. All are well-rounded characters, backed by talented actors, but are they bouncing off one another and functioning like a unit like their predecessors in A New Hope?
Sure, Poe and Finn have forged a touching bromance, but the former has only just met Rey heading into the trilogy's final chapter. As a group, they don't feel quite ready to step into such big shoes.
One of the best things about the latest trilogy is the way it has thrown two generations of Star Wars heroes into the mix together, and Episode IX could well feel like it's lacking something due to the old guard's diminished presence.
Here's a thought: it's not too late to see whether Billy Dee Williams is up for a return. A bit of Lando Calrissian could be just what the movie needs. Somebody should fly the flag for the original trilogy generation in the final movie, and he's the perfect candidate.
Lando's return might even be the olive branch Stars Wars could offer to hardcore fans who felt alienated by The Last Jedi, plus it seems unfair that Williams was snubbed by the other films.
What issues do you think The Last Jedi created for Episode IX? Let us know down in the comments.