The Star Wars franchise enjoys one of the biggest and most diverse fandoms. Given that the original trilogy premiered in 1977, while the sequel trilogy concluded in 2019, it’s quite the multi-generational fandom. At times, it can also be quite intense. You almost question if you’re a real fan if you don’t harbor a burning hatred for any of the movies or one particular trilogy in the franchise.
Hence, when celebrities, whether part of the Star Wars universe or not, start offering their hot takes on the franchise, things get pretty interesting. Use our guide to find five celebrity Star Wars hot takes that divided fans.
Ed Sheeran’s ‘The Phantom Menace’ Take
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace is one of the most divisive Star Wars movies. It kicked off the prequel trilogy in 1999, years after the original trilogy’s smash hit success. A little cheesier and clunkier in its dialogue, the film was panned by many critics and fans. Although fans have re-evaluated it in a slightly better light in recent years, it still isn’t most fans’ favourite Star Wars movie, unless you’re Ed Sheeran.
Sheeran unapologetically named The Phantom Menace his favorite Star Wars movie because it was his introduction to the franchise. Sheeran told JustWatch, “And you can’t take that feeling that I had as a kid watching them.” For younger generations, The Phantom Menace was their Star Wars movie, which explains why many have a more sympathetic view of it and are more likely to enjoy the whole prequel trilogy.
Mark Hamill’s ‘The Last Jedi’ Take
Mark Hamill, who portrays Luke Skywalker in Star Wars: Episode VII - The Last Jedi (2017) and beyond, stirred controversy by criticizing his character’s arc. He admitted to telling director Rian Johnson that he “disagreed with every choice” he made for Skywalker, especially because he felt Skywalker would “double down” in the face of trial, rather than becoming a self-exiled hermit (Vanity Fairy).
Hamill later clarified that his comments were nothing more than mere creative differences and that he still enjoyed the movie overall, challenging fans and the media’s exaggerated claims that he disliked Johnson or hated Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Skywalker’s characterization in the film has sparked debate. However, fans unanimously agree that Hamill’s performance is a highlight of the film, and his character arc added another layer of complexity to Skywalker. If you love strong sequel movies, like Dune: Part Two (2024) and Blade Runner 2049 (2017), you’ll love Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
David Corenswet’s ‘Star Wars’ Watch Order Take
How to watch the Star Wars movies in order is one of the hottest debated topics in the fandom. Hence, viewers took note when Superman (2025) star David Corenswet offered his watch order on Brittany Broski’s Royal Court. He suggests watching the movies in the order, “4-5-1-2-3-6.” The idea is that you watch Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983) last to maintain the big reveal that Darth Vader (James Earl Jones) is Skywalker’s father. Of course, given that the big reveal is kind of old news to most of us, centering a watch order around it is a bit wild.
Most agree that watching in the original release order is the best way to enjoy Star Wars. However, if you’re one of the fans who believe Return of the Jedi is the best Star Wars movie due to its epic finale and featuring some of the most iconic moments of the franchise, perhaps saving the best for last isn’t a bad idea.
Alec Guinness’s ‘A New Hope’ Take
Alec Guinness was the first actor to bring Obi-Wan Kenobi to life in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977). Although he reprised his role for The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi, he made his distaste for Star Wars quite clear. He described A New Hope as “fairy-tale rubbish,” and called the dialogue “excruciating,” although he praised the spectacle of it (Business Insider). A New Hope is as iconic as Dune (2021) or The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) for kick-starting an epic film franchise, making Guinness’s criticism quite surprising.
Guinness’s alleged “hatred” of Star Wars has made the rounds throughout the fandom, though it isn’t as controversial a take as it sounds. When he agreed to do Star Wars, he was an established actor with three Oscar nominations and was known for his Shakespearean roles. One can understand his frustration at being known to younger generations simply as Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Liam Neeson’s ‘Jar Jar Binks’ Take
One reason The Phantom Menace stirred such divisive reactions is Jar Jar Binks (Ahmed Best). While he was meant to be the film’s comic relief, many viewers found him grating and irritating. However, Liam Neeson, who plays Qui-Gon Jinn in the movie, defended both The Phantom Menace and Best’s performance as Jar Jar Binks. He stated (as reported by The Hollywood Reporter), “He [Best] was probably one of the funniest guys and talented guys I had ever worked with.” Neeson even called Best the “new Eddie Murphy” and bemoaned how The Phantom Menace’s backlash hurt Best’s career.
Over the years, fans’ opinion on Jar Jar Binks has softened a bit, with some even stirring up a fan theory that he’s secretly a mighty Sith Lord. Many now feel the hate for Jar Jar Binks went too far. Regardless of whether the character was a hit or miss, Neeson is right that it shouldn’t have impacted Best’s career so negatively.
