Star Wars Fans Debate Chewbacca's Fate After Sequel Trilogy

Star Wars fans are currently engaged in a heated debate regarding Chewbacca's fate following the sequel trilogy. While the death of a beloved character can add emotional depth and narrative drive to a story, the decision to keep the iconic Wookiee alive in *Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker* has sparked division among the fanbase, according to recent discussions on r/StarWars.

Chewbacca, a fan favorite since his introduction in 1977's *Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope*, has appeared in eight Star Wars films. It’s Chewbacca's survival in *The Rise of Skywalker* that is the source of the current controversy. Despite a moment in the film where his apparent demise seemed imminent, Chewbacca ultimately survived, leaving some fans feeling disappointed. "Did anyone wish Chewbacca died?" asked user BCDragon3000 in a post that ignited the debate.

The user elaborated, "I’m not saying that Chewbacca should’ve died. But in an otherwise boring movie, when Rey shot lightning at the ship and thought Chewbacca had died I actually thought they’d take some stakes in what they were promoting to be the 'finale' to these characters. The reveal that he was on the other ship felt so… ugh."

The "Not Really Dead" Trope This sentiment resonated with many fans who feel the film series has relied too heavily on fake-out deaths. The top comment on the thread expressed frustration with the repeated use of the "not really dead" trope, arguing that it diminishes the emotional impact of character deaths. "My problem is they played the 'not really dead' card too many times for death to hold any real weight. And this is a persisting problem with Disney throughout many of their shows."

Another user, GrandFrogPrince, sarcastically added, "It's just annoying that they keep killing people and it has zero consequences because they aren't really dead. Next, we are going to find out that Han Solo luckily fell into a surgery suite and was saved!"

A Desire for Risk-Taking The online conversation highlights a desire among some Star Wars fans for bolder storytelling and a willingness to take risks with beloved characters. Many hope the upcoming Rey-focused movie, tentatively titled *New Jedi Order*, will deliver a more daring narrative. In the meantime, the entire Star Wars saga remains available for streaming on Disney+.