Star Wars: 10 alternate endings fans secretly wanted

After watching a film, fans often imagine its ending in a different way. This is true about the Star Wars saga as well. From the rise of Anakin Skywalker to the fall of the Empire, it is undoubtedly one of the most beloved movie franchises of all time. Fans have been following the galaxy far away for decades.

The final film in the Skywalker saga, The Rise of Skywalker, gives a somewhat emotional and action-packed ending. But many fans are not satisfied with it. Over the years, they have come up with their own endings, some better, some more emotional, and some just plain. In this article, we’ll first look at how the saga ended, and then explore 10 alternate endings that fans secretly wished for.

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10 alternate Star Wars endings fans secretly wanted

10) Ben Solo's Fate After Saving Rey

In the real ending, Ben Solo turns good again after being Kylo Ren. He helps Rey fight Palpatine and gives up his life to bring her back to life. It’s a sad moment, but it shows that he changed. One of the most popular alternate endings fans wanted was for Ben Solo to survive.

Many fans think that after turning good, he could have stayed with Rey and helped build a better future. They could have started a new Jedi school or explored the galaxy together. His full journey from villain to hero would have been more powerful if he had gotten to live and do good.

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9) Rey Defeats Palpatine With Jedi Help

In the movie, Rey stands up to Emperor Palpatine, who has come back from the dead. He tries to use her power, but with the voices of past Jedi helping her, she defeats him and saves the galaxy. Instead of picking a side, some fans wanted Rey to walk the middle path.

Fans imagined Rey teaming up with Ben to fight him together. Two people, one from the dark and one from the light, could have shown true balance. It would have made the win more teamwork-focused, not centered around Rey alone.

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8) Luke Skywalker Returns in the Flesh

In the real ending of The Rise of Skywalker, Luke Skywalker does not come back to life. He appears only as a Force ghost to help guide Rey. He talks to her and gives her some advice, and later she hears his voice along with others during the final fight. But Luke is not there to take part in the battle.

So, Many fans wished Luke had come back in real form, not just as a ghost. Imagine him returning for one last fight, standing beside Rey and Ben. Seeing the original hero holding a lightsaber again would have brought back strong feelings from the older movies. Luke fighting to save the galaxy one more time would have felt like the story truly came full circle, with the teacher helping his students defeat evil together.

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7) Kylo Ren as the Final Villain

One of the biggest surprises and complaints was that the movie brings back Palpatine as the big bad guy. He was behind everything and wanted Rey to join him. This twist surprised many fans, and not all of them liked it. Some fans felt it was lazy writing. A better ending, many believe, would have had Kylo Ren as the final villain until the end.

If Rey had to stop him alone, it would make her win more personal. It would also show how hard it is to face someone you care about. Instead of another throwback, it would show how the new generation deals with their own struggles.

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6) Jedi Are Heard and Seen

During the final battle, Rey starts hearing the voices of past Jedi, just helping her. But they don’t appear. Fans wished the Jedi would appear. Seeing ghost versions of Anakin, Luke, and others fighting beside Rey would have been amazing.

It would show the Jedi returning one last time to stop evil for good. An alternate ending where Anakin appears and helps Rey directly, maybe even saving his grandson Ben, could have added emotional depth. He started the whole saga, so having him help finish it would have made sense.

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5) Finn Becomes a Jedi

In the movie, Finn helps in the war but doesn’t fully become a Jedi, even though he shows signs of using the Force. His powers are never clearly explained. In a different ending, fans wanted him to discover his powers and help Rey in the final battle. Finn could have become the first of many new Jedi trained by Rey.

It would have given more meaning to his journey and made him more than just a sidekick. A stormtrooper becoming a Jedi would be a powerful message.

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4) Leia Lives Longer and Trains Rey More

Princess Leia dies in the movie after using the Force to reach her son. Her death helps Ben turn good, but she doesn’t get to do much as a Jedi. In another version, fans wanted Leia to live longer and train Rey more.

With more scenes showing their bond and training, the ending could have shown Leia passing on her wisdom. This would have honored both characters and shown Leia’s full potential as a Jedi. A master-apprentice ending would feel more like the classic Star Wars theme of legacy and teaching the next generation.

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3) A Less Rushed Final Battle

The last space battle in The Rise of Skywalker is full of action. The Resistance faces a huge fleet, and many ships come to help in the end. It’s fast and exciting, but it happens quickly.

A slower, more detailed battle could have made it feel more real. Fans imagined each hero having their moment, Finn leading troops, Poe in the sky, Rey and Ben on the ground. More time for the fight would give more weight to the win.

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2) A New Jedi Order

At the end of the movie, Rey buries Luke and Leia’s lightsabers in the sand. She stands alone, and the movie ends with her looking into the distance. Fans hoped to see Rey start a new Jedi Order.

Instead of just burying lightsabers, she could have built a new academy, trained Finn, and welcomed Force users from everywhere. This kind of ending would show growth and hope for the future. It would feel like a true beginning, not just an end.

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1) The Sith Are Not Gone

The ending shows the Sith being destroyed when Palpatine dies. The Resistance celebrates, and it seems like peace is back for good. Some fans thought it would be interesting if the dark side wasn’t fully gone.

Maybe a new type of Dark Force group could have appeared. Imagine an ending where Rey fails, and Palpatine or Kylo Ren takes control of the galaxy. It would be shocking, but also bold. Not all stories have to end in victory. A Sith win could have set up future stories where a new group rises to fight back.

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The official ending of the Star Wars saga wrapped things up in a fast and flashy way. But for many longtime fans, it didn’t fully connect or feel complete. These 10 alternate endings show just how many paths the story could have taken.

Some are full of light, others dark, and many bring in characters who didn’t get enough screen time. What they all share is a love for the galaxy we’ve all grown up with. Whether your favorite ending is the real one or one of these fan-made dreams, one thing is certain: Star Wars will always live on in our hearts and imagination.