The problems within theStar Warsfandom go far beyond mere criticism of Disney’s output. There’s no denying thatStar Warshas, to a certain extent, faltered since Disney first took the reins in 2012. Though some ofDisney’s earliestStar Warsproductions, likeStar Wars Rebels(which premiered in 2014), 2015’sStar Wars: The Force Awakens, and 2016’sRogue One: A Star Wars Storyreinvigorated the franchise, both in live-action and animation, the real problems started with the release ofStar Wars: The Last Jediin 2017 andSolo: A Star Wars Storyin 2018.
Suddenly, Disney was dealing with an incredibly divided audience and a first-ever box office “failure,” and the cinematic branch of the franchise still hasn’t fully recovered.Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalkerproved even more divisive, and many announced projects were subsequently canceled, with writers and other creatives clashing with Lucasfilm’s higher-ups. Though the advent of Disney+ and the release ofThe MandaloriangaveStar Warsa much-needed win and something substantial to build on, the damage had already been done.The fandom has been divided since 2017, and it doesn’t look like it will recover anytime soon. In fact, it’s only become worse.
Star Wars Movies In Order: How To Watch Release Order, Chronologically & With The TV Shows
What’s the best way to watch Star Wars? Here’s everything you need to know to watch in release or timeline order, and how to include the TV shows.
The Star Wars Fandom Has A Problem With Negativity
Nowadays, it seems,Star Warscan’t win. The fandom is fractured beyond repair. Some wish Disney had simply continued the Expanded Universe, now known asStar WarsLegends, rather than picking and choosing certain elements from those novels for new stories. Many – though not all – of these audience members are vehement defenders of George Lucas’Star Wars, often to extremely vitriolic lengths. These viewers clash with those who generally enjoy Disney’sStar Warsoutput, who have seen themselves reflected in new characters and joined the fandom because of something Disney produced, rather than Lucas.
There are also those, of course, who genuinely wantStar Warsto try something new and fresh, and are frustrated by the interconnected and repetitive nature of projects like The Mandoverse. Will these three sides ever see eye to eye? It’s unlikely, andthe reaction to and subsequentcancelation ofStar Wars: The Acolyteis an illustrative, albeit unfortunate, example of everything wrong withinStar Warsfandom nowadays.
The show was review-bombed before it even came out – a regrettably predictable result of the series’ earnest efforts to be inclusive and diverse – and many of those same review bombers celebrated its demise when it was officially canceled. Those who had actual, storytelling-related criticism were drowned out by the raging negativity, and those who genuinely enjoyed the series for what it was were made fun of and even harassed when they expressed their sorrow over its failure to be renewed.
George Lucas himself once “ruined”Star Wars, too, when he produced the prequel trilogy. Can the cycle of hate ever be broken?
Disney has reportedly claimed thatThe Acolytewas canceled due to low viewership, and while this may well be part of it, this choice also sets Disney on a precarious path.The Acolytewas the first live-action Disney+ show to try something wholly disconnected from the New Republic era and the Skywalker saga. Before it was canceled, it proved that Disney wasn’t afraid to try something new. Now, though? It’s hard to tell.Has the fandom’s overt negativity affected Disney’s decision-making here?The company’s silence after the cancelation was announced certainly makes it seem so, especially after many major outlets publicly lamented the decision.
There’s this idea among the loudest and angriest parts ofStar Wars’ online fandom that nothing will ever be able to surpass George Lucas’Star Wars, and so anything that even attempts to tell a story within the same universe is inherently unworthy of the franchise’s name, even before it’s been released. There’s nothing wrong with being a fan ofGeorge Lucas’Star Warsmovies – that’s why we’re all here, after all! – but these same people seem to keep forgetting that George Lucas himself once “ruined”Star Wars, too, when he produced the prequel trilogy. Can the (revisionist) cycle of hate ever be broken?
Star Wars Has Already Taught Us How To Respond
This now unavoidable negativity within theStar Warsfandom is especially painful considering the core themes of George Lucas’ originalStar Warsstory and every singleStar Warsnarrative produced since.Star Warsis a tale of hope triumphing over evil, facing your fears, and standing up for what’s right in the face of direct oppression and adversity.Bullying and harassment have no place inStar Wars, and shouldn’t have a place in the fandom space, either.
What Would Star Wars Really Be Like Without Disney?
Disney Star Wars has faced plenty of controversy and backlash since the company purchased the rights to Star Wars, but did they really make it worse?
Arguably, considering whatStar Warsstands for, Disney and Lucasfilm should be more steadfast in their convictions. If, as seems to be the case,The Acolytewas canceled in part due to the crusade against it, what does that say about these companies? How can audiences and the creatives and actors involved in these shows trust that their actions, words, and stories won’t be twisted and used against them?
We Need To Stop Pitting Star Wars Against Itself
There should always be space for people to explain why they didn’t agree with or simply even enjoy a show – but those criticisms should be made in good faith, with understanding of the viewpoints of people who may disagree with you. The pacing ofStar Wars: The Acolytedidn’t always work for me, for instance. Two whole flashback episodes took too much time away from the present storyline. Additionally, I believe Disney and Lucasfilm need to stop restricting their original shows to six or eight episodes. Not all stories are meant to be told that way, and that needs to be recognized.
Apetitionto renewStar Wars: The Acolytehas amassed over 66,000 signatures.
My issues withThe Acolytehave nothing to do with the actual actors or the writers and directors behind the show, however. That’s where the discussion moves too far away from common, understandable criticism and becomes heated, charged, and often prejudiced. It’s a vicious cycle, one that’s hard to break. IfStar Warshandles its future cancelations the way it has handledThe Acolyte’s cancelation, however, the cycle of negativity will never be broken – it will just continue to fester.
Star Wars
Star Wars is a multimedia franchise that started in 1977 by creator George Lucas. After the release of Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope (originally just titled Star Wars), the franchise quickly exploded, spawning multiple sequels, prequels, TV shows, video games, comics, and much more. After Disney acquired the rights to the franchise, they quickly expanded the universe on Disney+, starting with The Mandalorian.
