Disney is officially reevaluating its approach to the Star Wars Sequel Trilogy timeline. The company announced, in January 2026, a significant expansion and change to the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge attraction located in Disneyland. The main change consists of introducing elements, characters, and iconic music from the Original Trilogy (Episodes IV to VI) into a space that was almost exclusively dedicated to the period of the most recent trilogy. This decision, which is now beginning to be implemented, is seen as a direct response to the lukewarm reception from fans regarding the productions of the sequel era, such as The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, and The Rise of Skywalker.
The theme park, situated on the fictional planet Batuu, opened in 2019 as a fully canonical and immersive experience. However, it was launched at the height of divisions among fans regarding the direction of the new trilogy. As a result, many visitors did not form the same emotional connection with the era of Rey and Kylo Ren, missing the classic heroes and villains. Thus, the expansion aims to correct this disconnect, bringing back the essence that solidified the franchise decades ago. The change is relevant because it signals a possible strategic repositioning by Disney, which seems to be listening to audience feedback and rebalancing its narrative focus within the Star Wars universe.
What Changes in Galaxy’s Edge
Fans who visit Galaxy’s Edge from this new phase will find a redesigned experience. The epic John Williams soundtrack for the original films will be integrated into the environment, while new props and themed settings from the era of Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader will be added. Furthermore, the long-awaited character encounters (meet and greets) with Luke, Leia, Han Solo, and the Sith Lord himself are planned, something that previously did not have a dedicated space within the park’s chronology. Although these characters have appeared in other areas of Disney parks before, their inclusion on Batuu is unprecedented and considered a loosening of the strict canonicity rules that guided the initial project.
Since the controversial launch of the Sequel Trilogy, most of Star Wars’s new successes, such as the series Andor and The Mandalorian, take place close to the Original Trilogy timeline or in earlier eras. Therefore, the park’s expansion reflects a trend already observed in audiovisual content. The decision can be interpreted as Disney freeing its narrative from a very restrictive “canonical cage,” allowing itself to play with all eras of the galaxy to offer a more fun and comprehensive experience to fans. However, this does not mean the complete abandonment of the sequel era, but rather a reduction of its prominence in the park’s ecosystem.
Ultimately, the change is a welcome addition for Star Wars and theme park fans. It suggests the franchise may no longer insist so much on promoting eras that did not fully resonate with the fan base, treating the expanded timeline as a playground for new stories. The future of the Sequel Trilogy within the parks remains open, but its primary focus in Galaxy’s Edge has come to an end. Thus, Disney demonstrates flexibility to adapt its mega-franchise, prioritizing audience satisfaction and the celebration of the entire Star Wars legacy, not just a part of it.
