Joseph and Gareth at Skewed and Reviewed have written part one of a series on if Darth vader is impossible to top as a bad guy in the new film series.
Joseph thinks it can be done, especially if Thrawn is used at some point in the future. Gareth however believes that it is next to impossible to top the iconic bad guy and the focus should be on making a good film with interesting characters.
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Simple Answer: No.
I do not know how they could come up with someone better, in any way.
Thank you, I added my response as well just now, I think the biggest mistake they could make is to try to outdo him, Simply tell a good story and have a good bad guy.
Darth Vader is a legend. The character was created at the right time and when it was needed. I don't think the planets will align again to illuminate the mind of a writer to create another bad guy like him any time soon. Especially in an era when everything is a remake of a remake because of the lack of creativity.
And I'm not saying that is not possible just that the percentage of success is really very utterly low.
Hard nut to crack, start with Grand Admiral Thrawn and well take it from there.