Disney and Lucasfilm are preparing for what may be the most important theatrical test in Star Wars history with The Mandalorian & Grogu, but leading man Pedro Pascal is once again reigniting debate around the deeply divisive sequel trilogy.
During a recent “in or out” style interview, Pascal was asked about Disney’s sequel-era films and responded enthusiastically in support of them.
“I got to go back to the movie theater with my sister’s family and my nephews were at the ripe age that I was when I saw the first Star Wars movies,” he said. “So it was an incredible family experience to have together. I loved it.”
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What immediately stood out to many fans, however, was how Pascal praised the films.
Notably absent from his answer was any discussion about the writing, directing, characters, story structure, or performances that made up Disney’s sequel trilogy. Instead, Pascal focused entirely on the experience of seeing the movies with family in a theater setting.
That distinction matters because the sequel trilogy remains one of the most polarizing eras in Star Wars history, even years after the release of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
Why the Sequel Trilogy Remains So Divisive
Disney’s sequel trilogy — Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker — generated massive box office returns initially, but many longtime fans argue the films damaged enthusiasm for the franchise in the long term.
Among the most common complaints from audiences:
- The lack of a cohesive long-term story plan between directors
- Luke Skywalker’s portrayal in The Last Jedi
- The sidelining of legacy heroes from the original trilogy
- Heavy reliance on nostalgia and mystery boxes while also discarding legacy heroes
- The abrupt reversal of plot threads between films
- Rey’s rapid power progression without significant struggle
- The return of Emperor Palpatine with little setup
- Tonal inconsistency across the trilogy
Rey from Star Wars – Disney+
Critics of the trilogy have also pointed to declining audience excitement following the sequel era, especially when compared to the cultural phenomenon status Star Wars once held.
While Disney’s films earned billions globally, many fans argue the brand lost momentum afterward, particularly in theatrical releases.
Disney Appears to Be Distancing Itself From the Sequels
Pascal’s comments arrive at a fascinating moment for Lucasfilm because Disney itself increasingly appears reluctant to aggressively continue the sequel-era storyline.
One of the clearest signs came from reports that a proposed Ben Solo-focused project was rejected internally. Meanwhile, the long-discussed Rey-centered film starring Daisy Ridley has reportedly stalled. The project currently has no confirmed writer attached and no announced production start date.
Adam Driver as Ben Solo kisses Daisy Ridley as Rey in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019), Lucasfilm
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Characters from the original trilogy have also been added to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland, which was once firmly rooted in sequel-era storytelling. Disney has increasingly leaned back into recognizable original trilogy iconography across the parks, merchandise, and marketing.
There have also been persistent rumors that Lucasfilm is considering branching the sequel trilogy into its own timeline continuity while continuing stories involving more recognizable legacy-era characters. That rumor was first reported as an exclusive by That Park Place and WDW Pro, and it continues to circulate among fans as Disney reevaluates the future direction of the franchise.
Whether those rumors ultimately prove true remains to be seen, but there’s little doubt that Lucasfilm is searching for a way to reignite widespread enthusiasm for Star Wars theatrical releases.
Pedro Pascal’s Growing Image Problem
Pascal’s defense of the sequel trilogy also comes during a period where some audiences appear to be cooling on the actor himself.
Once widely embraced due to roles in The Mandalorian and The Last of Us, Pascal has increasingly become a lightning rod online due to his highly public political commentary, awkward press tour moments, and increasingly meme-driven public persona.
Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby – YouTube, omeleteve
Several recent films featuring Pascal also struggled commercially (including Disney Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps), fueling discussion online about whether Hollywood overestimated his mainstream draw as a leading man.
That puts Disney in an awkward position moving forward.
Not only is Pascal the face of The Mandalorian & Grogu, Lucasfilm’s first Star Wars theatrical release since 2019, but he’s also set to appear prominently in Avengers: Doomsday later this year as part of Marvel’s ongoing rebuild effort.
Disney is effectively betting on Pascal across two of its biggest franchises simultaneously at a time when both Marvel and Star Wars are trying to recover from audience fatigue and declining enthusiasm.
A Major Test for Star Wars
Ultimately, Pedro Pascal may not change many minds about the sequel trilogy one way or another, but they do highlight how differently Hollywood and longtime fans often view the modern Star Wars era.
For Pascal, the sequels represented a nostalgic family outing.
A piece of the Mandalorian and Grogu movie poster – Disney
For many fans, they represented the moment the franchise lost its cultural magic.
Now Disney faces the difficult task of convincing audiences to return to theaters for Star Wars in a post-sequel world — and the success or failure of The Mandalorian & Grogu could determine the direction of the franchise for years to come.
How do you feel about Pedro Pascal and the Star Wars sequel trilogy? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
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