Between galaxies there are vast stretches of black emptiness*. But even from our planet, which is nestled within the Milky Way, we can see other galaxies, the visible ones appearing as smudges to the unaided eye. So for this scene, there could be a 'starfield' beyond the galaxy in the forefront, but each 'star' would actually be a galaxy.

*ignoring quantum fluctuations.

All this is moot because Adywan has said he will be keeping the galaxy as is. That said, I prefer Angel's mock-up. I always thought the original looked weird, even when I first saw it.