Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is widely regarded as one of the most impressive attractions Disney has ever built – and judging by its consistently long lines, it’s still popular over half a decade after it first opened. However, some fans are also incredibly enthusiastic about the idea of its replacement.Right now, Rise of the Resistance takes guests on an adrenaline-packed adventure through a First Order Star Destroyer, combining a trackless ride system, massive sets, Audio-Animatronics, and a dramatic encounter with Kylo Ren as riders attempt to escape with help from the Resistance.Credit: Jeremy Thompson, FlickrBut with Disneyland Resort’s version of Galaxy’s Edge switching up its timeline earlier this year to integrate more characters from the original trilogy, there have been whispers that Disney will eventually switch up Rise of the Resistance to match.What Would Replace Rise of the Resistance?In theory, Disney could swap out sequels-era characters – such as Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), Finn (John Boyega), Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac), and Rey (Daisy Ridley) – and replace them with characters from the original George Lucas trilogy.Credit: DisneyFor example, riders could be pursued through the attraction by Darth Vader rather than Kylo Ren, while Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) could deliver the initial message in the queue rather than Rey. The ride’s name is also an easy fix – it could become Star Wars: Rise of the Rebellion, rather than Rise of the Resistance.Some fans are extremely enthusiastic about the prospect.“I enjoy ROTR, it’s Disney’s top next gen ride. But an OT retheme would elevate this attraction,” one fan wrote on X, adding that “the sequels are a stain to the brand.”This is 100% going to happen for the following reasons.– to revive the attraction– because the sequels are a stain to the brand– it's an easy retheme. Change the story a bitI enjoy ROTR, it's Disney's top next gen ride. But an OT retheme would elevate this attraction… https://t.co/3OJKVLWVsh— Ivan (@Valiantes_) August 28, 2026Another fan wrote, “It’s an amazing ride but imagine Leia being the hologram, Akbar being the pilot, Finns being Han Solo, Kylos as Vaders, Hux as Grand Moff Tarkin, etc.”One said, “There are real Star Wars fans out there starving for OT content. Let’s put an end to the fake sentiment for the Disney slop and give us what the people really want.”Hell they should do it nowGalaxy’s Edge is cool but all I can think is “damn this would be so much better if it wasn’t the sequels”I still think this is one of Disneys biggest mistakes. They totally could’ve had a land that compares to the Wizarding World. But no.Hell they should do it nowGalaxy’s Edge is cool but all I can think is “damn this would be so much better if it wasn’t the sequels”I still think this is one of Disneys biggest mistakes. They totally could’ve had a land that compares to the Wizarding World. But no. https://t.co/nrNAf63l17— The Carnotaurus from DINOSAUR (@OdysseyJurassic) August 28, 2026One of the most common complaints about Galaxy’s Edge is that it largely bypasses the Star Wars eras many guests grew up loving, focusing instead on the sequel trilogy. Bringing more original trilogy characters and locations into the land could finally give longtime fans the nostalgia-heavy Star Wars experience they expected.Would Disney Actually Change Rise of the Resistance?Of course, retheming Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is likely easier said than done.Cost alone would make that a huge undertaking. Disney has never confirmed Rise of the Resistance’s budget, but estimates put each version at Disneyland Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios at $450 million. Retheming it would mean overhauling enormous sets and effects, plus replacing or reworking many of its roughly 65 Audio-Animatronics.Credit: DisneyThere is also the problem of the original cast. Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill are now decades older than Han Solo and Luke Skywalker were during the original trilogy, meaning Disney would either need to recast them or rely heavily on the kind of digital de-aging Lucasfilm has already used elsewhere.The use of said technology hasn’t always gone down well. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) digitally recreated a young Carrie Fisher as Leia, with critics describing the result as artificial and distracting. Its recreation of Peter Cushing, who died in 1994, as Grand Moff Tarkin also sparked a much bigger debate over digitally resurrecting deceased actors.Credit: Steven Miller, FlickrOther fans have shared skepticism over the idea that Disney would make the change.“Disney is not targeting middle-aged men,” one wrote. “If they do update Galaxy’s Edge, it will be to match the next wave of films, not movies from 50 years ago. As it is, the sequels made four billion dollars, and Rise is consistently one of the most popular attractions in the parks.”As one pointed out, “If they’re not even willing to spend the money to fix Murphy, I strongly doubt they’re going to spend the money to retheme what’s arguably one of the best rides they’ve ever developed. I just don’t see it happening.” (Murphy is the animatronic dragon once used in Fantasmic! that famously burned down in 2023 and has yet to be fixed or replaced.)Perhaps the most compelling argument against the ride’s replacement is the fact that, despite mixed opinions surrounding the sequel trilogy, Rise of the Resistance remains hugely popular. The attraction averages a wait time of roughly 55 minutes at Disneyland Park and 48 minutes at Disney’s Hollywood Studios as of 2026, as per Queue Times. Disney has plenty of other park projects underway without unnecessarily rebuilding a ride that still pulls crowds.In this case, we fear this is wishful thinking from some Disney fans rather than a credible rumor. But watch this space – stranger things have happend at Disney parks over the years.Do you think Disney should retheme and replace Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance?The post Fans Praise Replacement for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Disney’s “Biggest Mistake” appeared first on Inside the Magic.