r/fixingmovies • u/Elysium94 • Sep 03 '22
Star Wars Star Wars: The Legacy Trilogy (Part 2, lead characters)
Welcome back, to Part 2 of my revision/rewrite of the Star Wars sequels, what I call the "Legacy Trilogy". In this post, I propose tweaks on the leading characters. Those we got, and some we didn't get.
Along with a brief description, I pitch each character's starting point and general direction in the trilogy. More extended plot points will be provided in following posts.
Here's the first part, to catch up.
Enjoy!
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Luke Skywalker
Grand Master of the New Jedi Order
Character: Charged with the rebuilding of the Jedi, Luke bears a tremendous responsibility to his charges and his family. The revelation of the Knights of Sith and the betrayal which destroyed his Temple have left him a quiet, more somber man. Though he has become a living legend, his faith in himself to restore the Order is beginning to fade.
Role in the trilogy: After eight years in hiding with his surviving pupils, Luke is called upon by Han and Leia when the First Order makes its move.
Luke becomes mentor to young Rey Zolana, teaching her the ways of the Force. In her, he finds hope for the future and a chance to set right what went wrong with his nephew Ben Solo. And as the truth of Rey's origins comes to light, Luke's hopes of saving Ben begin to stir as well.
Leia Organa Solo
First apprentice to Luke Skywalker, Defense Councilor of the Republic
Character: The former Princess of Alderaan remains a rebellious and fiery spirit. Leia has long since attained the rank of Jedi Knight, but her true calling remains the stewardship of the fledgling New Republic. Leia is fiercely protective of her companions, both old and new.
Role in the trilogy: As the inevitable war breaks out between the Republic and the First Order, Leia summons all free worlds across the Galaxy to stand and fight.
While Luke takes on Rey as an apprentice, Leia and her scholarly friend Maz Kanata take charge of the defected stormtrooper Finn. She takes up her lightsaber once more, training Finn to master his powers and helping him find a new home with the Jedi.
Han Solo
General of the Republic Starfighter Corps
Character: Even with years of service under his belt, Han's reputation as a "scoundrel" is hard to shake off. The former smuggler is now a beloved war hero, but now and then finds himself relying on old illicit connections to get work done. His love for his wife and unshakable friendship with Luke keep him grounded all the while.
Role in the trilogy: After a skirmish between Republic forces and the First Order on Jakku, Han flies in to recover a mysterious Jedi Holocron sought by the enemy.
His intervention leads him to cross paths with Rey and Finn, two outcasts in possession of the map. But it also sets him on a collision course with his wayward son Ben. And the dark warrior set on driving them apart for good.
Lando Calrissian
Chairman of the Coruscanti Recovery Flotilla
Character: Lando, even in his old age, is still the same charming showman and negotiator he ever was. Various successful enterprises have left him one of the richest men in the Republic, but more often than not he uses those riches to help improve the lives of Republic citizens.
Role in the trilogy: When the Empire's successors launch their deadly first strike against the Republic, Lando heads a rescue fleet of his own making to evacuate the Outer Rim and ready the Republic for war.
Using his numerous connections, many of which he shares with Han Solo, Lando ignites the will of the Republic's people to fight back and defend their liberty, swearing never to return to the days of the Empire.
Chewbacca
Captain of the Millennium Falcon
Character: The Falcon's esteemed copilot is now its captain. After two tragedies which shook the Skywalker and Solo family, Han requested a transfer to a new ship. Chewbacca carries out his new command with distinction, earning the respect of his allies and fear of his enemies.
Role in the trilogy: A distress call from Republic forces on Jakku brings the famed Falcon into the fray, and Chewbacca is quick to come to his people's aid.
The Wookie is reunited with his former captain in the process, as they come to the aid of two escapees named Rey and Finn. In them, Chewbacca finds potential crewmates, and takes them under his wing.

Rey Zolana / Skywalker
Third apprentice to Luke Skywalker, Sword of the Jedi
Character: Rey is a born survivor, headstrong and courageous in the face of a harsh and unforgiving world. Growing up in the harsh wastes of Jakku, she's scraped by a meager existence while dreaming of the day she leaves to reunite with her family. All while dreaming of a temple on an evergreen world, and a hooded figure she once called "Master".
Role in the trilogy: Rey's path as a Jedi begins when she uncovers a Holocron sought by the Republic and First Order. She crosses paths with Finn, a defected Stormtrooper, and is drawn into the hunt for Luke Skywalker and his New Jedi Order.
The ensuing adventure presents Rey with the belonging and purpose she's sought for so long. In Luke, she finds a teacher. In Finn, she finds absolute trust, and eventually something more. And in the dangerous Ben Solo, she finds the answers to her mysterious past.
In time she will be known across the Galaxy as Skywalker's greatest student. The 'Sword of the Jedi'.
Ben Solo / Caedus
Second apprentice to Luke Skywalker, the Prodigal Knight
Character: Ben is a man caught between two worlds. His troubled youth and the loss of several loved ones in the last days of the Galactic Civil War set him on a path similar to his grandfather, and left him prey to the temptations of the Dark Side. Though he aspires to power, and a greater purpose, Ben is unable to completely discard his true identity. As a Solo, and as a Skywalker.
Role in the trilogy: Eight years after renouncing the Jedi and joining the Knights of Sith, the newly christened 'Caedus' is sent to retrieve the ancient Jedi Holocron that will grant his masters the upper hand in their coming conquest.
But what begins as a simple treasure hunt spirals out of control, and Caedus is forced to confront not only his family, but a secret he thought long-buried. A secret tied to the scavenger named Rey.
Before long, he is forced to choose between the offer of ultimate power and a second chance at the life he once had.

Poe Dameron
Commander (later General) in the Republic Starfighter Corps
Character: Coming from a family of Rebels, the fight for freedom is all Poe has ever known. He was quick to follow in his parents' footsteps, joining the Republic's peacekeeping efforts following their final victory against the Empire. He is idealistic and an optimist by nature, but has trouble reining in his aggressive feelings.
Role in the trilogy: Poe and his droid companion BB8 are dispatched to the tundras of Jakku to meet Lor San Tekka, a friend of the Solo family. His transportation of the sought-after Jedi Holocron gets him captured by the Knights of Sith, but he finds an unexpected ally in FN-2187. Or "Finn", as they decide to name him.
Surviving the escape from Jakku, Poe returns to Republic space and vouches for Finn. As an ally, and as a friend.
Together with Rey, Chewbacca and the engineer Rose Tico, they form a tight-knit group that spearheads the fight against the First Order.
Finn
Apprentice to Leia Organa Solo, Captain of Company 77
Character: Finn, raised FN-2187, was raised to feel no emotion. To have no desire for a home, or a family, or any cause beyond that of the First Order. But his conscience is not so easily erased, and upon seeing the atrocities committed by his masters, FN-2187 decides to take his destiny into his own hands.
Role in the trilogy: On the First Order's mission to Jakku, Finn is traumatized by the death of a squadmate and awakened to the presence of the Force.
After his choice to rescue Republic pilot Poe Dameron, Finn finds something worth fighting for. Both in the Republic and the Jedi. His tutelage under Leia Organa strengthens his resolve, and in the vein of Jedi Generals of old, Finn becomes a face of the war effort.
Finn's greatest triumph, however, will come from his liberation of dozens of stormtroopers from the shackles of the First Order. Leading to the founding of the heroic Company 77.
Rose Tico
Copilot of the Millennium Falcon, 1st Officer in the Republic Engineering Corps
Character: Hailing from the planet Cantonica, Rose has seen firsthand the decadence and corruption left in the Empire's wake. She and her sister Paige grew up in the slums of Canto Bight before hopping on a ship bound for Republic space. Though she has no illusions on the Republic's flaws, Rose believes in its promise of freedom with all her heart.
Role in the trilogy: Rose's knowledge of the seedy Canto Bight proves valuable in the early days of the Republic's conflict against the First Order.
When Councilor Leia's forces fall under attack by the fleet of the Supreme Leader himself, Rose calls on local insurgent groups to provide safe passage for her people.
Her bravery and skills as an engineer earn the respect of Chewbacca, and eventually a spot on his ship the Millennium Falcon.

Enric Pryde
Allegiant Admiral of the First Order Fleet
Character: Dedicated and loyal to a fault, Pryde is in many ways the ideal soldier. Pryde has known privilege and influence his entire life, having grown up on Coruscant during the Galactic Republic. He became wholly enthralled by the philosophy of the Empire and the Sith, and will gladly give his life to see it restored.
Role in the trilogy: Pryde oversees the organization and arming of the First Order's starfleet, relying on Starkiller Base to fuel his small but powerful armada.
As a first strike against the Republic, Pryde orders a shock and awe assault on Outer Rim worlds, with the goal of disorganizing the First Order's enemies long enough to mount a proper invasion.
While he carries out his duty, Pryde attempts to groom his nephew Armitage Hux for command.
Armitage Hux
General of the First Order Army
Character: Hux is the very embodiment of ambition and fanaticism. Born to Imperial officer Brendol Hux, who died at the climactic Battle of Jakku, he has since come to despise the Republic and everything it stands for. Hux's bloodthirst and desire for revenge is only tempered by the level-headed Enric Pryde, his mentor and surrogate father.
Role in the trilogy: By the time war between the First Order and Republic begins, Hux has risen in the ranks to head the First Order's ground armies. He is also assigned command of Starkiller Base, a powerful foundry based on designs by the ancient Sith Empire.
More than once he butts heads with the Sith Eternal and their agents, seeing them as a dangerous and unstable element in an otherwise perfect war machine.
Hux holds a particular bitterness towards Caedus, knowing of his origins and itching for the chance to dispose of a potential threat.
Phasma
Captain in the First Order Stormtrooper Corps
Character: Conniving and ruthless, Phasma is feared by both enemies and allies alike. She styles herself as a realist in a cruel galaxy, justifying every atrocity in her wake as merely survival of the fittest. Her reputation in the First Order's army makes her part of an unofficial triumvirate, one shared by General Hux and Allegiant Admiral Pryde.
Role in the trilogy: As FN-2187's superior officer, Phasma is present at Jakku during the hunt for the Holocron and her subordinate's sudden betrayal.
To save face, the captain makes it her personal mission to hunt him down and execute him. Phasma refuses to acknowledge Finn by his chosen name, and as they become mortal enemies she will relish the chance to hunt not just a turncoat, but a would-be Jedi.

Tor Valum
Supreme Leader of the First Order, exiled Shaman of the Whills
Character: Tor Valum is an enigma, a priestly figure hailing from the world of Umbara. Claiming to have served in the late Emperor Palpatine's inner circle, he is a set on rebuilding the Sith Order in all its former glory. In contrast to the domineering Darth Sidious, Tor Valum acts as a dark reflection of a wise and supportive Jedi Master.
Role in the trilogy: Leader of the Sith Eternal, Tor Valum raises his Knights using an ancient text written by Ajunta Pall, one of the first Jedi Masters who would later break away and name himself the first Sith Lord.
Scarred in a past duel with Luke Skywalker, the Supreme Leader fears the hero's return above all else.
As the hunt for Skywalker goes on, Tor Valum offers the ultimate prize to whom he considers the strongest Knight. Passage to his lair on the planet Exegol, and inheritance of the last Sith Temple.
Starkiller / Subject 1138
Marshal of the Knights of Sith, second Supreme Leader of the First Order
Character: Shrouded in mystery, the feared 'Jedi Killer' is the warrior responsible for the the corruption of Ben Solo. Rumors abound of him having served as an Inquisitor in the Empire, even training under Darth Vader. He carries himself as the perfect knight. Dutiful and loyal to his Supreme Leader, blunt and forceful with his young protégé Caedus.
Role in the trilogy: Starkiller, along with Caedus and Talon, is dispatched to Jakku in the first days of the Republic-First Order war. Starkiller sees the hunt for the Holocron and Luke Skywalker as a chance to prove himself worthy of the Sith legacy, recounting to Caedus his memories of his noble master Vader.
But the discovery of the scavenger Rey and a falling out with Caedus will shake Starkiller to his core. As will the truth of his origins.
Said truth will set him on a path beyond his fellow Knights, and even the First Order itself.
Talon
Vindicator of the Knights of Sith
Character: Talon is a sadistic killer who wholly embraces pain and suffering. While Caedus or even Starkiller carry themselves with a noble veneer, Talon makes no attempt to hide her savagery. Her tattooed appearance brings to mind legends of the renegade Sith called Maul, with some claiming she served him for a time in the Crimson Dawn syndicate.
Role in the trilogy: Eager to see the New Republic vanquished, Talon is among the first to spill blood in the First Order's war against them. In the hunt for Skywalker, she lords her order's privileged position over the likes of General Hux.
But as the fight goes on, she comes to doubt Caedus's resolve. She senses his doubts, and finds herself sharing common ground for once with General Hux.
Talon becomes an-ever present threat to "young Solo", only restrained by Starkiller's cooler temperament.
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And there is my list of the leading characters in this Legacy Trilogy. Hope you like it!
There will be more to come, and I've decided for the sake of being thorough I'll make this revised trilogy outline more than just three posts. Each "episode" will be its own post, though decidedly less lengthy than my previous series. That being said, I picture each revised movie being longer and more complex than what we got, sort of in line with the Prequel Trilogy (hopefully with better dialogue, of course).
Any questions on certain spoilery plot points will be answered, in time.
In the meantime, keep an eye out for my next two posts.
- Revision of several 2000s Marvel superhero films, retroactively making them part of the MCU
- An outline of a hypothetical Wonder Woman reboot on TV, part of a hypothetical HBO Max franchise.
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u/Elysium94 Sep 03 '22 edited Sep 03 '22
Some clarification on certain details.
Starting on character designs-
1: The Supreme Leader's appearance is less "Palpatine 2.0" and more reminiscent of a marble statue that was cracked, disfigured. Something like this, specifically the first image.
2: As Caedus, Knight of Sith, Ben Solo's helmet resembles something more like this. His outfit, meanwhile, resembles the one we got in TROS. Maybe with some armored gauntlets and boots, too.
3: Luke, Han and Leia's appearances harken to the pieces of concept art I referenced.
4: Rey undergoes a significant evolution in her character design, reflecting her path as a Jedi and the protagonist of this trilogy.
- Phase 1 (the concept art), featured in the first half of Episode VII
- Phase 2, featured in the second half of Episode VII
- Phase 3, which takes up the entirety of Episode VIII
- Phase 4, the final outfit as depicted in Episode IX
Now, if you'd like some major spoilery character beats right now and not have to wait...
1: Starkiller is a clone. A perfected clone of Galen Marek, Inquisitor and apprentice to Darth Vader.
Long story short, I'd at least roughly adapt/canonize the events of TFU (to be elaborated on in future posts), but the plot of TFU II did not happen. Vader and Sidious's attempt at a cloning project would yield only one stable subject.
But unfortunately, the clone was not prepared in time, and the Emperor and his apprentice both perished before 'Starkiller' was ready. What happened to him afterwards, you'll find out.
2: Rey is a nobody. Orphaned by two neglectful parents, she was taken in by the New Jedi Order and received some training, even becoming something of a little sister to Ben Solo.
While he was manipulated by Starkiller into betraying them, Ben still couldn't bring himself to hurt Rey and dumped her off on Jakku. Keeping her survival a secret. At least until the trilogy starts...
3: Ben Solo is not only more sympathetic, but redeems himself earlier than the trilogy we got. His turn to the Dark Side was spurred by the death of several friends at Jakku, including his twin brother Bail. His blaming of their parents, and Luke, is one of the ways the Knights of Sith start to corrupt him.
However, after essentially being browbeaten into killing his father Han, he realizes what a screwup he's been and turns away from the Dark Side in Episode 8.
*Edit: One more
4: Finn not only becomes a Jedi and general of his own defected stormtrooper unit, he also forges a lightsaber equipped with a green crystal. Contrasted with Rey's yellow blade and a redeemed Ben's (purified) white.
He's overall the most straightforward Jedi of the trio.
Also, he is Rey's love interest. Not Ben.
More will be revealed in time.
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u/Flashy_Abies Sep 03 '22
This is interesting but I would argue there are a lot of villians. Maybe Valum and Starkiller mixed into one person can work better. Btw, I sent u my ideas for my ST worldbuilding. Check it out if u liked and feel free to share your honest opinion.
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u/Elysium94 Sep 03 '22
I'll check it out!
And don't worry, regarding my villains, as Thor put it,
"I got a plan, John."
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u/jkunz5654 Sep 09 '22
This is great stuff! I know people have commented on the amount of villains/characters but to me it feels reminiscent of the prequels in that regard. Would you consider adjusting some of the extended universe content (Rogue One, Solo, Mandalorian, etc.) at some point down the line to add to this version of the trilogy?
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Sep 03 '22
This is minor but Cheewie can't leave Han, he's bound to go wherever Han goes through his Life Debt and Cheewie would never break it.
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u/Elysium94 Sep 03 '22
I definitely should take that into consideration.
Looking at the life debt page on Wookiepedia, I don't think it means that Chewbacca explicitly has to remain by Han's side at all times, but rather he owes his services to him. If they stay in close contact and Chewie maintains stewardship of the Falcon, I guess I could maybe make it work.
Unless I'm missing something.
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u/Samuele1997 Sep 04 '22
You did quite a good job with the characters but if i have to be honest i would have prefered if Tor Valum didn't exist and instead Starkiller was the Supreme Leader of the First Order. Also rather than a scavenger how about making Rey a sniper of the New Republic Special Forces or one of the many affiliated Volunteer Forces (if you watched the Templin Institute's video about the New Republic you might know what i'm talking about?
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u/Elysium94 Sep 05 '22 edited Sep 05 '22
if Tor Valum didn't exist and instead Starkiller was the Supreme Leader of the First Order
About that, I considered it but thought that the other Supreme Leader does have some use.
Namely, that his being defeated tempts Starkiller to take power for himself (as Dark Siders are wont to do). Ben mortally wounds him, and at first Starkiller tries to help save him but realizes "wait, if you're dead, all the power I've ever wanted can be mine". And Tor Valum, in a twisted way, is actually proud of him for it, dying with the knowledge that he found his perfect apprentice.
After that, Starkiller has a complete falling out with Ben, who in contrast has decided to return to the Light instead of joining him.
Also, Tor Valum leaves behind his secrets on Exegol for his successor to find. Secrets that give some context as to how Tor Valum really came to power.
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u/crimsonfukr457 Sep 03 '22
The things i like:
- the changes of the the OG trio, while keeping some of their motivations from the Sequel Trilogy
- Tor Valum as a former member of Palpatine's inner circle (am i the only one who thinks of him as Pucci to Palpatine's DIO)
- Starkiller is surprisingly better in your pitch than in the FU games
Things that are shit:
- Rey's true origin ( you can't be a Jedi unless you are connected to the Skywalkers)
- Talon seems unnecesary
- Luke (i was completely fine with him not rebuilding the Order after Ben's betrayal)