It seems like there's a lot in store for the extended Star Wars universe in the coming years. All sorts of media from TV shows to comics are scheduled to release in the coming year(s). In the video game world, there have been plenty of rumors surrounding projects such as a remake of Knights of the Old Republic and the mysterious Star Wars Ubisoft game. However, nothing is as anticipated as the unannounced sequel to Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.
As rumors continue to make the rounds, not much is known about Respawn Entertainment's follow-up to the 2019 Jedi game. In fact, there's still no solid proof that the game even exists other than it's "the start of a franchise," so anything known about it is pure speculation. Assuming that it does exist, Jedi: Fallen Order 2 has some big shoes to fill as a sequel to a critically and commercially successful game, and as a major entry in the Star Wars universe. One of the big determining factors of the game's success will be how it's going to treat Cal Kestis and differentiate him from the sea of other established Jedi Knights.
Star Wars: A (Franchise) Trap
While many fans debate what constitutes good and bad Star Wars media, one thing is for certain: the Jedi and their relationship with the light and dark sides of the Force are some of the most compelling parts of the entire franchise. Unfortunately, a lot of the most mainstream portrayals of the dichotomy between the two sides aren't as deep or as nuanced as they could be. In terms of the Jedi's relationship between the light and dark side in the films, things are usually pretty clear-cut: the Sith are horrifying, murderous monsters, while the Jedi are always paragon champions of good.
While that portrayal isn't bad because of its simplicity, it leaves a lot to be desired when being revisited countless times. The Last Jedi made the argument that good and bad are all relative and that the universe is a little grayer than the optimistic heroes might think, but it ultimately didn't matter by the end. Luke faced similar questions in the original trilogy during the finale of Return of the Jedi, but the film's portrayal was also lacking nuance. Generally speaking, most times that light and dark are brought up they're less about the duality of the human heart, and more about which lightsaber color the character wants.
As controversial as the prequel trilogy is to plenty of fans, Anakin's descent into darkness is one of the more compelling aspects of the three films. While it definitely turns into a story about a comically evil character fighting the good guy, Anakin struggles with what he's told is right vs. what his heart wants, which is what ultimately leads him down the path of becoming a Sith. At face value, that concept is a much more interesting take on the formula than the simple good vs. bad, light vs. dark.
Return of the Nuance in Star Wars
In Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Cal Kestis has already proven himself to be a complex character. His shaky relationship with the Force is one of the driving factors of the game and what makes him stand out as a Jedi. His arc, however, is similar to a handful of other Jedi in the extended Star Wars universe.
It shares similarities between Luke in the sequel trilogy of films, Ahsoka Tano in a handful of different Star Wars media, Rahm Kota in The Force Unleashed, and other Jedis across the Star Wars universe. Despite how well Respawn handled the subject matter, it's pretty clear that a Jedi struggling with their connection to the Force is a little bit played out. With a sequel, hopefully the studio will be able to explore more aspects of the Force.
Now that Cal's been established as a powerful Jedi, it would be a waste to leave his character untouched for Jedi: Fallen Order 2. It would be worth the studio's time to explore more nuanced takes on the Force. Because Cal has no real Master, aside from Cere Junda, he might not be able to guide himself perfectly down the path of the light. As established in the original game, his relationship with the Force has had its ups and downs, so it's not totally out of the question for Cal to potentially take a few missteps. To really set him apart from the pantheon of other Jedi, it's imperative for Respawn to avoid the mistakes the franchise has made regarding the Force with Cal.
One thing that sets up Cal for a successful and emotional character arc in Jedi: Fallen Order 2 is how relatable and human he comes across in the original game. Because of this, him being tempted by the dark side should look more like Anakin's story in Revenge of the Sith than Rey's in The Rise of Skywalker. His possible journey down the wrong path would have to be motivated by his emotions and personal experience and explore how anyone might be tempted to the dark side if they let their fear, doubt and worry get the best of them. By making Cal's struggles as relatable as his successes, he might just stick out as one of the all-time best characters in Star Wars.
Potentially One of the Great Jedis
Only time will tell what direction Respawn will be taking in terms of their treatment of Cal and the rest of the game's cast. It's clear that unless the studio does something to really distinguish them from the countless others in the Star Wars universe, the game risks treading the same ground. Cal Kestis has been set up to become one of the most iconic characters in Star Wars video games right alongside KOTOR's Darth Revan, but it'll all come down to if he can break the mold of the simple "good vs. evil" tropes established in the franchise.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order 2 is rumored to be in development.