Somethings I think are essential/have been in all Star Wars films…(I hope)
A Lightsaber v Lightsaber battle.
One ‘major’ battle
Someone speaking in an alien language w/ English subs
*A locked down closing shot (Tradition broken by 7. 8 and 9 better have rotating closing shots too otherwise I’ll be pretty cut)
Personally if 8 or 9 started somewhere else than space I’d feel a little annoyed. Starting in the stars seems ever so appropriate…