The Fall of Star Wars: The Destruction of a Legendary Franchise
From cult to content machine: here's what is going wrong
"Star Wars" – a synonym for epic stories, iconic characters and unforgettable moments for decades. However, the enthusiasm of many fans has significantly diminished in recent years. The Disney-era productions in particular have led to heated discussions time and again – from disappointed expectations to questionable creative decisions. Is the glory truly lost? In this article, we take a look at the biggest points of criticism, but also at the things that still give us hope.
The Significance of Star Wars
Since "A New Hope" was released in the late 70s, the "Star Wars" franchise has rapidly evolved. What once began as a daring science fiction project has long since become an integral part of global pop culture. Three trilogies, countless animated and live-action series, video games, books, merchandise... "Star Wars" is a multimedia universe that has left a mark on generations. It's not surprising that many fans have forged a deep emotional bond with the saga – and react all the more fervently when new content fails to satisfy them.
Criticism of the New Era
"Star Wars" being criticized is not a new phenomenon. Even the prequel trilogy divided the fan community. But since the sale of Lucasfilm to Disney in 2012, the tension has become even worse. The introduction with "Episode 7" and "Rogue One" still looked promising, but the sequel trilogy in particular was met with heavy criticism from "Episode 8" onwards.
Many fans complain above all about the inconsistent narrative style. "Episode 7" was attacked for relying too heavily on the tried and tested and being too similar to "A New Hope". "The Last Jedi", on the other hand, was a radical change from familiar patterns – which some did see as brave, but many felt it was disrespectful to the saga. "Episode 9" sought to mend this break, for example by bringing back Palpatine, but ended up seeming rushed and haphazard.
In addition to these content-related aspects, the so-called fan service also attracts criticism. Well-known characters or iconic elements are repeatedly incorporated. However, it appears they are only doing so to evoke nostalgic feelings – without advancing the story in any meaningful way. This results in scenes that may seem familiar, but are often emotionally disappointing. You can surely criticize the prequels for many things – but at least they significantly expanded the world of "Star Wars" with lots of new ideas.
Too Much Content?
Another point of criticism is the vast amount of content: with all the new series and film projects, Disney and Lucasfilm are constantly trying to expand the universe. While this generally offers creative opportunities, many fans now feel overwhelmed – and emotionally detached. "Star Wars" is no longer something special that people look forward to for years. Will there be new content this month? Oh well, let's see if it's any good.
The volume is both a blessing and a curse: the projects definitely explore different directions and try out various things – with the most extreme case perhaps being the "Visions" anthology series. That way there's a chance to test what works and what the fans like. For instance, "The Ninth Jedi", a spin-off sequel to one of the short stories from "Visions", has just been announced.
It also caters to different audiences. After all, not all "Star Wars" fans are the same: some enjoy a down-to-earth series like "Andor", while others prefer more entertaining, amusing lightsaber action. And the next person may enjoy a nostalgic trip back to the 80s like "Skeleton Crew" instead. Thanks to the amount of different content, there is something for everyone – even if the "Star Wars" brand is no longer a way of guaranteeing what exactly awaits us in the next movie or series. And the quality can fluctuate considerably with the huge amount of content, depending on which team is working on it and how much creative freedom they are given. However, despite all the disappointments, there are also glimmers of hope.
A New Hope
One particularly positive example is the series "Andor": rather than focusing on lightsabers and Jedi, "Andor" tells a multilayered story about oppression, surveillance and the start of a rebellion. The series impresses with strong dialog, complex characters and a serious, political vibe – a "Star Wars" that has never been seen before in this form.
"The Mandalorian" has set new standards as well. The relationship between the bounty hunter Din Djarin and the little Grogu captured the hearts of viewers around the world. The show's mix of western atmosphere, emotional storytelling and new characters breathed new life into the franchise – at least in the first two seasons. Here, too, the excitement died down a little in season 3.
Another highlight were the final episodes of the animated series "Star Wars: The Clone Wars". Not only did they bring the series to a worthy conclusion, they also directly linked it to "Revenge of the Sith". The last four episodes are considered by many to be the narrative and emotional peak of the entire series.
Here's What Needs to Change
Many fans wish for one thing in particular for the future: a clear creative perspective. The sequel trilogy has shown how damaging it can be when individual movies are made without an overall plan. Instead, what is needed is a powerful script, convincing characters, consistent directing – and a long-term strategy.
"Andor" shows that quality matters more than quantity. The series proves that "Star Wars" works even without the usual elements – as long as the creators know what they want to tell. But this is precisely what many projects seem to lack.
Equally important is the balance between old and new. Of course, classic motifs and characters must not vanish completely. But nostalgia alone does not sustain a story. "Star Wars" should dare to break new ground without forgetting its origins.
Cause for Skepticism
It will not be possible to overcome all points of criticism overnight. The number of productions will probably continue to increase – and with it the risk of becoming surfeited. The trend towards superficial fan service is also unlikely to dissipate any time soon. Resorting to well-known characters such as Palpatine or Boba Fett may generate clicks in the short term. However, in the long term, the creative potential of the universe is wasted.
The risk remains: instead of developing new heroes, conflicts and ideas, the past is reinforced – and the opportunity to truly develop the universe further is lost.
The Future of Star Wars
Nevertheless, the coming years also offer potential for new ideas. In 2026, "The Mandalorian and Grogu", the first cinematic adventure of the two series heroes, is set to be released – ending the franchise's six-year absence from movie theaters. Whether this will provide the much-needed boost remains to be seen. In any case, the characters and the creative team around Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni have demonstrated that they are capable of telling good stories.
Likewise announced was "Star Wars: Starfighter", a standalone film starring Ryan Gosling, which is set five years after Episode 9 and is said to be entirely unrelated to the Skywalker saga. The movie will be directed by "Deadpool & Wolverine" director Shawn Levy. This could provide entertainment, but also raises concerns: is "Star Wars" maybe becoming too much of an action comedy?
An exciting movie is "Dawn of the Jedi". Directed by James Mangold, the movie is about the beginnings of the Jedi and is set long before the familiar timeline. The master director deliberately chose to tell a story that doesn't need to be adapted too much in order to fit in with previous narratives. The script is co-written by Beau Willimon, who has already done a great job on "Andor".
There are also other projects that are being expected with mixed feelings. For example, a new Rey film, which has already caused all kinds of problems in pre-production and is even seen by many as a guaranteed flop. "Ahsoka" season 2 and the animated series "Maul – Shadow Lord" are presumably facing a more favorable reception. One thing's for sure: there is plenty more to come.
Conclusion
"Star Wars" is at a crossroads. The last few years have caused many fans to lose faith – but there are also positive examples that illustrate what is possible. The decisive factor will be whether Disney and Lucasfilm are willing to learn from their mistakes. Less repetition, more vision. Less nostalgia, more courage. And by that we don't mean anything superficial like a diverse cast. That alone does not ensure gripping movies or series. The story has to be convincing and explore interesting directions without taking the viewer for a fool. A small number of projects have proven that this is absolutely possible within the "Star Wars" universe.
If they succeed in filling the universe with new ideas without sacrificing its essence, then this galaxy might still have a future.