This fixing post is more of a way to validate my current ideas than anything else, but it could somehow be included in any future star wars trilogies.

Also this is a "fixing star wars sequels" that isn't about changing the individual story, Rose Tico, Holdo, or anything else that I, and others don't like about them. This premise allows for nearly the exact same films, this is about the design of the era (3rd cinematic era)

To help the point of the piece, lets look at the top level general design and setting of previous eras in movie star wars.

1st era Old Trilogy:

The classic trilogy, older, worn technology and hidden star systems. Theme and setting is less powerful but just and passionate rebellion vs cold evil empire. Guerilla warfare.

2nd era Galactic Republic/Clone Wars

The prequel trilogy, the older technology of previous era when it was in use still and in a older version. Theme and setting is galactic conflict (technically also a civil war) between two powers. Its a big military conflict between two equalish powers. Battlegrounds on and scenes set on major systems usually.

3rd era New trilogy:

Now we're here, but its confusing. The technology is newer, its an iteration from the previous (chronological) era, but the theme and setting has not progressed, so there's a weird feeling where its a scrappy resistance using new technology. Also as I said, its only a half change. If anything, it feels more like a series reboot.

My solution for the era:

Still use new technology, that part is a good progression, but the theme and setting should be something different for star wars that would still allow for the rebels vs empire general thing they want to make (probably for marketing).

So I think the 3rd era should be something new. What I think would work really well is if the theme was counter-terrorists vs terrorists. It would certainly be new territory, and it would fit the existing constructs. The setting would be this: The 'Resistance' is Princess Leia's counter-terrorism unit defending against internal sith threats, to prevent the sith from rising up and taking over the republic again. They're not scrappy, but they're not well funded and not super politically popular, unless they foil big plots, most mainstream politicians just want to put the Sith behind them and focus on rebuilding. Recently, a Empire Restoration group called the First Order has come out of hiding after forming around a large hidden automatic empire industrial world, and have had former Empire scientists making improvements to existing technology. Then they kind of become ISIS and capture and control backwater planets out of the main republic control sphere. The Resistance is tasked with quashing the offensive and stopping any serious damage to the Republic, which is mainly ignorant of the problem. Then the first order develops the Star Killer, blow up the Republic sending everything into chaos and allowing them to capture more territory, but the Republic isn't gone, the First Order just nuked the white house, and so the cut off Resistance has to stop the First Order from making more attacks and becoming a legitimate power, while the First Order tries to eliminate the Resistance before the Republic can get everything back together again.

Anyway, I just think it frames the era better and allows for a new setting for star wars, while keeping it familiar. It also allows for more storytelling options, while still keeping the themes they're going for like "hope". You can also focus more on individual planets like they did with the Casino planet, as the Resistance has to work with them more, while the federal government is in chaos.

Am I crazy in thinking this sounds good?