@Bouletcorp for Star Wars it was only appropriate–as Donnie Yen said, a homage to the asian underpinnings of the films aesthetics–& a thematic bridge between the hyperactive wushu of the prequels & the deliberate kendo/stage fencing styles of the original trilogy. It also reflects a dulling of western cultural imperialism & a change in the visibility of MA; we can watch UFC on youtube & see what happens when a brawler meets a technical fighter–or even: https://youtu.be/VTqedTQNT4c