The Acolyte Is Fixing A Major Problem With The Rise Of Skywalker (& Rey’s New Movie Must Take Note)

Star Wars: The Acolyte, Star Wars’ next Disney+ TV show, is fixing one Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker problem, setting the stage for Rey’s upcoming Star Wars movie to correct the same sequel mistake. The Acolyte is one of the most anticipated installments in Star Wars’ upcoming TV shows, with The Acolyte trailer breakdown reflecting what a massive shift the show will be for the franchise. In fact, although set in the High Republic Era 100 years before Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, The Acolyte will have implications for projects old and new.

Of all Star Wars movies and TV shows, the sequel movies are some of the most criticized. The Rise of Skywalker, in particular, is considered one of Star Wars’ worst movies. However, Rey’s new movie, with the help of the promising The Acolyte show, may just correct one of The Rise of Skywalker’s biggest missteps.

The Rise Of Skywalker Totally Wasted Rey’s Yellow Lightsaber

Rey’s Last-Minute Lightsaber Change Was Too Rushed

After fighting with Anakin Skywalker’s iconic blue prequel trilogy lightsaber at the end of Star Wars: The Force Awakens and throughout Star Wars: The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker, Rey got a brand-new lightsaber. Excitingly, this also meant the reveal of Star Wars’ first live-action yellow lightsaber. However, audiences only got a very brief glimpse of it, and The Rise of Skywalker never showed Rey using it in action. Rey lifted the new lightsaber in one of the last shots of the movie, just after burying Luke and Leia’s lightsaber at the Lars’ Farm on Tatooine.

This quick flash of yellow was ultimately a disappointment, as the novelty of the lightsaber and its significance were given very little room to breathe. Particularly with how much criticism the sequel trilogy received for borrowing from the events, characters, and storylines from the original trilogy, this would have been an exciting turn earlier in the movie that would have brought something new. Arguably, the introduction of Rey’s yellow lightsaber would have made the most sense at the beginning of The Rise of Skywalker, when it could have been established that Leia helped her build a lightsaber of her own.

The Acolyte Looks Like It Will Properly Show A Yellow Lightsaber In Live-Action

The Acolyte Trailer Includes Multiple Yellow Lightsabers

Unlike The Rise of Skywalker, The Acolyte seems more than prepared to tackle the yellow lightsaber in combat, with the trailer depicting not just one but multiple Jedi wielding a yellow blade. This is particularly thrilling because it also means Rey’s lightsaber has a connection to the Jedi predating even the prequel trilogy. This, alongside being exciting for combat sequences, will likely be a positive turn for Rey and, ideally, the reception of her character. While Rey was met with some tension among viewers, this solidifies her status as a true Jedi.

Moreover, though, this does mean that The Acolyte will show yellow lightsabers more directly involved in action, which was the most significant missed opportunity with Rey’s lightsaber. Given how much the trailer indicates that The Acolyte will see the Jedi under attack, too, it will likely be considerable screen time, which would be a major Rise of Skywalker improvement. While, of course, that remains to be seen, what has been revealed is promising.

Rey’s New Star Wars Movie Needs To Do Her Yellow Lightsaber Justice

Surely, Rey Will Still Have Her Yellow Lightsaber In Her New Movie

It would be shocking for Rey’s new Star Wars movie to suddenly have a lightsaber switch-up. While it’s not outside the realm of possibility that Rey will have some new weapon, only 15 years have passed between The Rise of Skywalker and Rey’s movie, a period much shorter than Jedi typically commit to one lightsaber. In light of that, it’s more than likely that Rey will get to use her yellow lightsaber on-screen after all.

This is encouraging both because it will mean more battle sequences with yellow lightsabers, but also because it will no doubt see Rey with much more advanced skills than when she last fought in The Rise of Skywalker. Although Rey already had incredible power, able even to win against Palpatine (albeit a decaying Palpatine clone), the time alone should mean that Rey has improved significantly in her Jedi abilities. Assuming Rey’s new movie does depict her establishing a Jedi Order, though, she would also have mastery on a new level.

What Does A Yellow Lightsaber Mean In Star Wars?

Each Lightsaber Color Has Significance, But Yellow Is Yet To Be Defined

Star Wars’ lightsaber colors have various meanings, but while yellow lightsabers have some Star Wars history, the color’s full significance hasn’t yet been defined in canon. Currently, yellow is most notably connected to Rey and to the Jedi Temple guards, who each carry yellow sabers. However, that alone may be enough context to speculate about what a yellow lightsaber could signify. Rey and the Temple guards share a true commitment to the light side of the Force, protection over the future of the Jedi, and a connection to the institution of the Jedi.

From these touchpoints emerge the themes of legacy, service, and longevity. Perhaps the yellow lightsaber reflects one who safeguards the future of the Jedi or preserves the history of the Jedi. Alternatively, it could denote a level of dedication to the Jedi, particularly structurally, in terms of a formal Order or Temple. Both Rey and the Temple guards also represent a loyalty to the way of the Jedi and a lifelong commitment to its future, which may also be represented by a yellow lightsaber.

While The Rise of Skywalker didn’t use Rey’s new yellow lightsaber in the best way, Rey’s upcoming Star Wars movie certainly has the opportunity to right this wrong. In the meantime, though, it’s clear that Star Wars has decided to bring yellow lightsabers more directly into the spotlight in canon. With Star Wars: The Acolyte already depicting numerous yellow lightsabers in its trailer, this lightsaber color is no doubt going to become much more prominent.

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