Summary
Disney is bringing Rey Skywalker back to the forefront as the face of a new Jedi Order in an upcoming movieStar Warsmovie. This new film will bring another concept out of Legends and into the Disney canon, but it needs to do something different from the previous trilogy.Star Warscan’t rely on remnants of the Empire or even the Sith to be the big bad. TheNew Jedi Orderneeds a new antagonist. It needs one that’s memorable, and one that fans haven’t seen before.
Extended Universe fans may remember the four years' worth of novels that focused on the Yuuzhan Vong, who decimated the galaxy. Nobody knows who or what the movie will use as its antagonist, but one thing is certain: It shouldn’t be the Yuuzhan Vong. Here’s why.
RELATED:Why The Yuuzhan Vong Aren’t Likely To Ever Return To Star Wars
What is The New Jedi Order?
In terms ofStar Warscanon, theNew Jedi Orderwill take place 15 years afterThe Rise of Skywalker, when Reyis training a new generation of Jedi. However, the term “the New Jedi Order” has a longstanding meaning forStar Warsfans. It was a series of books published between 1999 and 2003 that took place afterReturn of the Jedi, following Luke Skywalker building a new Jedi Order. It introduced a number of new characters and stories, including the fearsome Yuuzhan Vong.
While it would require some alterations, future live-action projects could adapt many aspects of the book series, including the turmoil within the New Republic and an invading force from another galaxy. There aren’t many details about upcomingStar Warsprojects, but this is the perfect opportunity for more content fromLegends to move its way into continuity. However, that doesn’t mean the long, convoluted struggle against the Yuuzhan Vong.
Who Are the Yuuzhan Vong?
The galaxy far, far away felt the presence of this otherworldly force long after they vanished. The destruction in the Yuuzhan Vong’s wake left trillions dead and millions homeless. It took an alliance between the Imperial remnants, the New Republic, and the new Jedi order, which eventually became known as the Galactic Alliance, to defeat the Yuuzhan Vong. They’re a nomadic species of masochistic religious zealots who originated outside the primaryStar Warsgalaxy, leading many fans to believe their introduction iscoming viaAhsoka.
These orc-like beings with spiky armor even gave Jedi a run for their money, existing outside the Force and proving immune to most Force abilities. Only indirect Force attacks, such as throwing objects with telekinesis, affected the Yuuzhan Vong. Power that would have taken anyone else’s feet from under them only caused the extragalactic aliens to stumble.The Jedi had to get creativewith their abilities, going so far as manipulating the air pressure around the invaders. However, most of the abilities exhibited in the books from Legends haven’t become canon just yet.
This otherworldly aliens resented the use of technology, and instead achieved advancement through biological and physiological augmentation. Their tactics often involved torture and brutality, showing no remorse or empathy for their adversaries. The Yuuzhan Vong tore the galaxy asunder and claimed the lives of mainstay heroes such as Chewbacca. They terraformed entire systems, forcing survivors of the war to relocate or join restoration efforts that eventually failed.
Why the Yuuzhan Vong Shouldn’t Be Canon
There’s no denying thatStar Warsfilms and TV shows would benefit from a new threat beyond Imperial copies or more Sith. While the Yuuzhan Vong would make for a frightening live-action enemy and show fans something different,Star Wars: New Jedi Orderisn’t the film to bring them in full force. However, the franchise is leaving breadcrumbs that point to other antagonists, makingNew Jedi Orderthe perfect entry point.
When the Yuuzhan Vong invaded the galaxy, they sent scouts and spies to get a lay of the land. The franchise hasn’t hinted at a Vong presence, with the exception of a new galaxy. After the disappointment that was the sequel trilogy,Star Warscan benefit from setting up future storylines with a more thorough plan.
Who Should Be The Antagonists In New Jedi Order?
In terms of future enemies, Luthen Rael (Stellan Skarsgård) name-dropped the Rakata in thefourth episode ofAndorwhen he explained the significance of a kyber crystal necklace, mentioning that it was a relic from the “uprising against the Rakatan invaders.” The Rakata were one of the first spacefaring species in theStar Warsuniverse and one of the first to use hyperspace engines in prior continuity. They developed Force-powered technology and used it to conquer every inhabited planet they came across. With the star map inAhsokaresembling the Rakatan star maps fromKnights of the Old Republic, it makes sense for this alien species to make a live-action appearance soon. They’re also a Force-sensitive species, giving Rey’s new order a memorable antagonist.
If director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy of theNew Jedi Orderwants to make the film memorable and refreshing for fans, another good move would be to introduce the Grysk. Thrawn is a major player inStar Warsat the moment, and he’s theharbinger of the Grysk, warning the Emperor and Darth Vader of their existence in Timothy Zahn’sAscendancybook trilogy. The Grysk are a terrifying warlike alien species from the Unknown Regions of theStar Warsgalaxy, who use telepathy and manipulation to rule. This would give Rey and her fledgling Jedi a new kind of enemy for fans to see.
However, it’s more likely for the Rakata to appear since Kathleen Kennedy confirmed that James Mangold’sDawn of the Jedities into theNew Jedi Orderin some way. Since the Rakata have ties to the Force and invaded the galaxy eons prior toThe Phantom Menace, they’re the likely culprit.
MORE:Star Wars: Who Will The Villains Be In Rey’s New Jedi Order Film?
