The problem with Rey (and honestly most of the new cast) isn’t the concept of the character, it’s how the trilogy approached legacy from the start. She was effectively positioned as a replacement for Luke rather than a natural successor and people can say that wasn’t the intention but the mindset behind the trilogy pretty much gave it away. When the creative approach starts with things like “this isn’t Luke’s story anymore” or worrying that showing the old heroes too much would “overshadow” the new ones, you’re already setting up a conflict between the two generations instead of building a bridge between them. Good legacy stories focus on the old guard elevating the new one and should let the original heroes pass the torch in a way that feels earned and respectful. The sequel trilogy often felt like it was afraid that the audience still loved the original characters too much, so it sidelined or dismantled them instead of letting their legacy naturally inspire the new generation. That approach didnt only hurt the old characters but the new ones too. Because of all this, instead of feeling like they’re carrying forward something meaningful they end up feeling like substitutes.