Who knew that LEGO Star Wars might actually re-energize the entire franchise?
In LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy – Pieces of the Past, the viewer is returned to the newly renovated universe just as a new threat (and an old foe) begins to rise within the galaxy. However, as Jedi Bob and Sig begin their battle, they find that they cannot do it alone and they are forced to join forces with Sig’s brother from the Dark Side, Dev Greebling. But can they truly trust Dev? Or is their uneasy alliance merely an opportunity for him to betray them?
The mysterious Solitus (Dan Stevens) wields two chained purple lightsabers in a scene from LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy – Pieces of the Past. © 2025 Lucasfilm Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
In a lot of ways, LEGO Star Wars has hit its creative strides once again with its Rebuild the Galaxy franchise. With its second series now streaming on Disney+, the LEGO animated world is finally making use of its ability to literally‘rebuild’ their own galaxy. After all, despite being a toy that’s predicated on one’s ability to tear down and put things back together again, it could be argued that this should be a toy that breaks its own rules.
Even so, until Rebuild the Galaxy, the animated LEGO universe remained deadlocked in the rules of their subject matter. For example, LEGO Star Wars simply felt like an extension of the myriad of films and tv series that it’s based upon. Kids see the Millennium Falcon on the screen, so they buy the toys.
(L-R) Sig Greebling (Gaten Matarazzo), Dev Greebling (Tony Revolori) are rescued by Ahsoka Tano (Ashley Eckstein) in a scene from LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy – Pieces of the Past. © 2025 Lucasfilm Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
It’s Marketing 101.
But the genius of Rebuild is that it really gives itself the freedom to upend the table. Just like the last series, Pieces of the Past takes all the expectations of the Star Wars characters and flips it on its ear. Friendly Jedi like Rey (and Jar Jar Binks!) became dark lords of the Sith. Tie fighters were heroic. All of the franchise staples have been allowed to reassemble into something new. And that level of fun is still flying high in Pieces of the Past. This ability to play new games with their own pieces has truly brought a fresh energy to the (surprisingly stagnant) Star Wars franchise.
Seriously, I didn’t see it coming.
(L-R) Dev Greebling (Tony Revolori), Sig Greebling (Gaten Matarazzo), and Servo (Michael Cusack), meet Jaxxon (Ben Schwartz) in Forcehold. © 2025 Lucasfilm Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
With new additions like the ‘Lando-lorian’ and the most charming iteration of Greedo that we’ve ever seen, Pieces of the Past continues to build on what was established in the previous series. (And the assembly of the Skywalker clan for the first time is one of the series’ greatest treats.) In some ways, Pieces is an homage to The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi combined. Yet the originality and humour of the franchise still allows this adventure to feel like its own corner of the universe entirely.
Though, to be fair, it’s also worth noting that some of the success of this iteration of the franchise depends on one’s Star Wars knowledge. This is a series that feels like the entire Star Wars canon is finally in play. (For example, younger kids can be forgiven if they aren’t sure who Cal Kestis, Darth Revan or Jaxxon T. Tumperraki are or why older fans are more excited about their arrival.) With the creative freedom to pick up every corner of the galaxy far, far away, the team must resist the temptation of digging too deeply, lest they alienate the younger crowd.
(L-R) Jedi Vader (Matt Sloan), Greedo (Jake Green), Princess Leia (Shelby Young), Jedi Jabba the Hutt (Kevin Michael Richardson), Jedi Master Sheev (Trevor Devall), Yoda (Piotr Michael), and Jedi Jannah (Naomi Ackie) in a scene from LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy – Pieces of the Past.
However, the series is actually more than simply a cheap pop for laughs. Here, the growing relationship between estranged brothers Sig and Dev continues to develop as well. And it’s here that the franchise really begins to feel like Star Wars.
Similar to the films we know and love, Pieces of the Past has an unrelenting optimism about its storytelling. Despite the devastation of their relationship in the first series, Sig remains committed to his brother’s salvation. This is a franchise built upon the soul of redemption and Sig’s unending hopefulness fuels the relationship between the two brothers. (And whether or not Dev has strayed too far is a question that Pieces seeks to answer.)
Ultimately though, Pieces of the Past really does want to be all about the fun. With rapid pacing for its animation and visual sight gags, the series continues to build itself up by breaking everything down. It’s wild, wacky and thoroughly entertaining. Even so, somehow the series still feels like it belongs in the galaxy far, far away. Built upon the heart of Star Wars’ belief that people can change, the joyful spirit has returned to the mega-franchise in such a way that I truly can’t wait for them to give me another piece.
LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy – Pieces of the Past is available on Disney+ now.
