A blog post I wrote, but didn't publish before the release of The Force Awakens. Still as relevant now as ever (though I admit I loved both Rogue One and The Force Awakens)
If I could pick one movie or movie franchise that made up my childhood, it would be Star Wars. I, like many other kids, was transfixed by this universe that George Lucas had so lovingly crafted. Dare I say that even the prequels were a treat to watch as a young child. Sadly, I didn't grow up in the 70's and 80's and didn't get to see them on a movie theatre screen in all their glory. But the little TV in our living room was enough for me and I watched them with a never ending awe and I enjoyed not just the movies, but the merchandise along with it such as books, toys, video games, etc. After Revenge of the Sith was released in 2005, I never anticipated an Episode VII and even after The Clone Wars film was released in 2008, I never thought I would see another live-action Star Wars film. There was even less of a chance that the original cast would return, I thought. Of course I wanted one, but because I didn't think it at all likely, I learned to be satisfied with what George Lucas had given us. So you can imagine my surprise and excitement, along with thousands of other fans, when I learned that Episode VII was in development with none other than the likes of Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford. Also, it was a shock to me that George Lucas had let go of the reigns and given them over to Disney. I know to a lot of fans, this was a relief due to what he had done to the prequels and what he had gone back and "fixed" in the original trilogy. I, however, had mixed feelings. What was Disney gonna do with my beloved childhood? I know this may sound dramatic, but really that was the question I was asking. I know I wasn't alone in this. Now, I had followed the Expanded Universe to an extent and did think of it as canon. So, one of my other first thoughts was what is gonna happen to all of this other story we haven't yet seen on the screen? What, indeed. Disney had an answer for that too. They were going to disregard what we knew, place it in an alternate timeline, and write an original story, much like J.J. Abrams had done with the recent Star Trek films. Although this has been done before, it, to me, is still brilliant. However, this caused a discrepancy among fans because their beloved expanded universe was "taken away from them". However, let me ask the fans this: "What started the expanded universe?". The films, obviously. So rather than focusing on the work of people who helped build the expanded universe, let us return to where it came from, the films themselves. Disney made the existing 6 films canon, along with the Clone Wars and Rebels TV shows. This was a wise decision because it gave them a mostly fresh slate to create an original story for the fans of the films. J.J. Abrams was hired as the director and definitely earned it. He made a Trekkie out of me with his films, and I believe he can do the same to any person who is not yet a Star Wars fan. I could not be more satisfied with what Disney and J.J. Abrams are doing with Episode IVV.
Whew, okay.
Now, with the rest of the Star Wars franchise, there are some problems. Let's take a look at what Disney has done first with Marvel superheroes. What began as The Incredible Hulk and Iron Man, has now become one of Disney's biggest markets, along with their Pixar films. Is this a good thing? Maybe. Maybe not. Every year since 2008, at least one Marvel movie has been released (save for the year 2009), and they have scheduled releases every year henceforth until 2019. Now, that is all fine and dandy but this means that superhero movies are no longer special occasion. It is not the gift that it used to be. In 1989, when Tim Burton made one of the first superhero movies, Batman, people were excited because it was not done often. Now, it is the norm and no one blinks an eye when they see one advertised. The same could be said for Star Wars. In 1977, when Star Wars was originally released, we saw a Star Wars film every 3 years until 1983. Then we saw a 16 year absence. Then, another three, made three years apart. Then a 10 year absence, which brings us to now, 2015, when we are going to see Episode IVV. Disney plans to release a Star Wars movie about every year from now on, in one way or another. And not just following the chronological order of the episodes. Disney plans to release Star Wars "Stories". The first one due out for release is called Rogue One, and it is about rebels who go on a quest to steal the plans for the Death Star. You see, Star Wars is no longer just about the Skywalker family. In the original trilogy, Luke Skywalker was the main character and in the prequels his father, Anakin, is the focus. So, excluding the expanded universe (which doesn't apply anymore anyway, due to Disney), the Star Wars franchise is primarily about the Skywalkers, thus far. Disney, however, believes that the appeal of Star Wars is the universe itself, not the characters that make up Skywalker family. Although there may be some truth to that, I can't help but think, without Luke Skywalker, Star Wars wouldn't exist in the first place. You see, my fear of expanding the universe on screen is that it will become like the Marvel franchise and superhero movies in general. Yes, they are still good, but they are no longer as special. They are no longer a rare gift.
