The Rise Of Skywalker marked the end of an era for all range in quality, but all have their brilliance.
A big aspect of these films, and said brilliance, are the performances in them. While there are a couple of movies all fans know to have notoriously bad acting, the saga as a whole has some absolutely stellar performances. Some films are filled with more high-quality acting than others, but every trilogy has a couple of phenomenal performances. Here are the best performers of the Skywalker saga.
ANTHONY DANIELS AS C-3PO
C-3PO has been a constant in Star Wars from the first scene of the first movie to the last. Threepio has always been overshadowed by R2-D2, up until the sequel trilogy, which is where Daniels' performance shines.
Daniels' delivery has always been impeccable, and his bickering with Artoo throughout the original trilogy brings a smile to your face every time. If it were not for he is one of the film's best performers, simultaneously hilarious and emotional while having great character dynamics with those around him.
ALEC GUINNESS AS OBI-WAN KENOBI
Amount of time spent on-screen comes into play on this list, which drops the legendary Alec Guinness this low. Nevertheless, the first Jedi you are treated to in the saga hooks you in with a stunning performance in Hope, and this continues through the originals.
It was a brilliant move by Lucas to get such an acclaimed actor as Guinness on board with a project that was predicted to fail. He brought a class and wisdom-filled presence to the role which shined in the series, even earning him Star Wars' only acting Oscar nomination.
FRANK OZ AS YODA
Yoda has made appearances in seven of the nine saga movies, with his iconic voice being heard in the other two. Every time the little green Jedi Grand Master does appear, Frank Oz delivers to the absolute fullest.
Yoda's unique dialogue would not work under a lesser voice actor, nor would his presence be the same without the puppeteer behind him, both of which are Frank Oz. The wisdom and humor presented by Yoda both come from the performance of Oz, who undoubtedly gives the best voice performance in all of the Skywalker saga.
DAISY RIDLEY AS REY
Rey is the main protagonist of the sequel trilogy, and her journey from an abandoned scavenger to Jedi is a beautiful one. Said journey is brought to life from the powerhouse performances of Daisy Ridley who proves her talent in the trilogy.
Our introduction to the character in The Last Jedi, where her journey furthers and she tries to find her place and herself all before The Rise Of Skywalker, where Ridley is a total badass throughout. She delivers one of, if not the finest performance of the film. A special mention of John Boyega and Oscar Isaac who are also fantastic.
IAN MCDIARMID AS THE EMPEROR/SHEEV PALPATINE
The true central villain of the Skywalker saga is one of the greatest in all of pop culture and cinema. Palpatine's return in The Rise Of Skywalker may not have been the best, and, may have tarnished the character, but through it all, the performance of Ian McDiarmid stood strong.
Everything from his voice to his mannerisms works perfectly. Even in The Rise Of Skywalker, McDiarmid was amazing. He gave one of the prequel trilogy's best performances as Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, and as the Emperor, he was excellently evil and exceedingly exceptional.
CARRIE FISHER AS PRINCESS/GENERAL LEIA ORGANA
Princess Leia — later known as General Leia — is an absolute icon of the Star Wars franchise. She is fierce, strong, independent, and an inspiration to millions of fans. This can all be contributed to the late, great Carrie Fisher.
The original trilogy performances from Fisher are delightful, her delivery works, her chemistry with the other performers is off the charts, and she is a joy to watch. She is the same in the sequel trilogy, and a wave of emotion and nostalgia hits you as she comes on-screen. Leia was an icon who so clearly had a part of Fisher in her.
ADAM DRIVER AS KYLO REN
Undoubtedly the best performance of the entire sequel trilogy, as well as best character, Kylo Ren, played by Adam Driver, gives fans a villain who could have gone very wrong but instead stood out in the best way.
The emotional tear within Kylo is front and center, accentuated by Driver's skill as an actor. From his facial expressions to his delivery to the absence or abundance of emotion to the confusion and rage within him, Driver gives three performances that leave you wanting more every time.
MARK HAMILL AS LUKE SKYWALKER
Mark Hamill plays the main protagonist of the whole Skywalker saga, Luke Skywalker, and you cannot imagine anyone else in the role. Hamill may have fallen lower on this list due to the talent on it, but his arguably career-best performance in The Last Jedi earns his spot here.
Hamill plays off of the other characters brilliantly and is such a beacon of light throughout the original trilogy as he goes from farm boy to training with Yoda to being a Jedi. In The Last Jedi, Luke is older and broken, which Hamill plays brilliantly, exquisitely conveying the emotion. No matter your opinion on the film, everything Hamill does works.
EWAN MCGREGOR AS OBI-WAN KENOBI
Ewan McGregor had a difficult task in the prequel trilogy, one that he completed with ease. Not only did he have to follow up and be the younger version of Alec Guinness' Obi-Wan, but he also had to work with the scripts of the prequel trilogy and still deliver, something that he did better than anyone.
McGregor's Obi-Wan was so fantastic that it is who many think of when you mention the character. McGregor channels the original actor in his performance, and with his style and the perfect interpretation of a younger and growing Obi-Wan, McGregor sures his predecessor, the same performance he is sure to bring to the new Disney+ series.
HARRISON FORD AS HAN SOLO
The top spot on this list could go to any of the top five; they all give tremendous performances. But ultimately, Ford gets the spot, which he thoroughly deserves. The smuggler, the General, the hero, Han Solo is one of pop culture's most iconic characters and is played wonderfully by the ever-charismatic Harrison Ford.
His cockiness, arrogance, charisma, and charm shine in the original trilogy as he grows from a smuggler who looks out for himself and Chewbacca while hiding his good heart, into a Rebel General who falls in love. Then, in The Force Awakens Han is a grizzled vet and Ford plays as such, not relying on the same antics as his younger self. This is all topped off by a short appearance in The Rise Of Skywalker, which is a picture-perfect performance from Ford.
