Darth Maul ignites a second blade (Episode I – The Phantom Menace)

In the Star Wars films preceding The Phantom Menace, audiences only saw one blade, so there was no way of knowing the type of lightsaber that Maul had.

All the main characters die in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Vadre Hallway scene
Jyn and Cassian embrace, hoping their sacrifice will help the Rebellion defeat the likes of Vader and the Empire. (Image: Lucasfilm ltd)

And Disney loomed directly over it!

Snoke is killed (The Last Jedi)

Because Snoke was supposed to be a villain that lasted until the final film of the trilogy! Welp, that expectation was upended.

Kylo Ren turns to the light, becoming Ben Solo again (The Rise of Skywalker)

A beautiful sequence showing Leia’s love for Ben, Rey’s love for Ben and Han’s love for Ben wrought a mighty change of heart in the former Supreme Leader.

The spirits of Anakin and Yoda appear (along with Obi-Wan) to Luke (Episode VI – Return of the Jedi)

THIS is Anakin’s Force Ghost. Sorry, Hayden. (Image: Disney/Lucasfilm)

No one knew that Luke would get visitors on Endor, let alone from those who had never been seen in spirit form (in Anakin and Yoda). Nor was it known who would qualify to take on such form (in Anakin).

Rey’s grandfather is Palpatine (The Rise of Skywalker)

Director J.J. Abrams may have done this one because of negative reaction to Rey’s parents being nobodies, but it still was unexpected, especially because an explanation about Rey’s parents was given.

General Leia has a lightsaber and is basically a Jedi (The Rise of Skywalker)

Leia; Star Wars; Goodbye; Carrie Fisher
Image: Lucasfilm Ltd

Many figured that Luke trained Leia and that this would be shown in the sequel trilogy, but we saw nothing of it the first two films, so it seemed like it didn’t happen. But then it was revealed in the final film.

Vader’s bare head is revealed (Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back)

It was so white!

Luke comes home to find skeletons of his aunt and uncle (Episode IV – A New Hope)

Imagine having had breakfast with the aunt and uncle you love so much, only to return to skeletons that afternoon (at the latest). That is the reality Luke dealt with in A New Hope.

General Leia uses the Force to fly through space (The Last Jedi)

It was only mildly surprising to see Leia use the Force, but how, we didn’t see coming.