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Star Wars is an entertainment icon. Its ongoing reach remains as impressive as any cultural property, both through movies and, with a far more focused approach, TV programs, where there is far greater potential for creative long-form development. However, 2024 became a year of quiet reflection, providing an interesting series of insights for what the next steps should entail. Instead of outright successes (or epic failures as many on-line forum members have mentioned constantly ) it seemed to create important lessons that Disney should now pay attention towards if a newer cycle has hope of reaching long term objectives as those errors highlight problems that had been festering from prior productions as many ongoing choices now seem in question so its worth an exploration for all viewers.
One important aspect is, after many successful Disney+ shows (especially those featuring key characters or set in locations or settings that hardcore fans recognize ) most casual viewers start realizing that, even though quality had never been an issue for most productions in 2024; what truly has been impacted most with new streaming TV projects are numbers of viewers which seems directly connected with the concept about those new characters and locations. As many previous successful formulas from previous cycles haven't replicated the same success; these details ( despite shows being praised ) make Star Wars productions, feel almost ‘niche’ and outside the large appeal range of their past production sets and by looking more closely we’ll try and highlight why a new approach is needed.
The main elements worth mentioning would be an over reliance in new Star Wars series in those live-action projects. Whilst live-action carries many strong benefits due to cast diversity and amazing camera work it’s important to remember that animation format for ‘Star Wars’ is an integral part of its core appeal and some of the best TV series ever presented ( like 'The Clone Wars' or 'Rebels' series ) did use that specific format successfully which made a direct influence over many character arcs that later appeared on all ongoing productions within that same timeline, making all later projects completely reliant and deeply connected with those unique cartoon format methods.
Also this concept on live-action creates more complexities, since Star Wars can't simply seem to get rid of the past as that saga never fully seems over. Its as if those original characters are a key selling point that Disney doesn’t truly comprehend its strengths and weaknesses; Luke, Leia or even Anakin can never stop acting like constant ghost apparitions haunting every possible opportunity they can even on newly established narrative plots that should instead act with independence. And its often precisely in those areas where we see new potential that such 'nostalgia acts' often fail for that core objective.
Another main and underlying pattern ( mostly during television series) is in relation to all upcoming production as no one really understands what projects to look forward to; due to the number of projects that are often rumored, canceled, and delayed which creates a very poor state of affairs for all casual and hard-core fans alike, which reduces audience interest, leading to discussions around ' what they prefer and not ‘what might arrive'. This can quickly result into more fan discourse, rather than overall franchise positive engagement because no one is certain of what will take place or be canceled on future cycles so any production always comes with high risk and therefore reduced expectations. There also appears to be some over reliance in big name series as almost if putting specific shows with fan known leads could save those properties rather than relying on strong original ideas in newly created set pieces that do create value but get neglected for the known characters. This leads into issues with spoilers since all main production members are almost certain in those old characters; but newer characters often suffer in those same environments due to lack of pre knowledge about the future.
And because all focus ends up being with characters and not with story concepts another problem surfaces that Disney seems unable to manage so far. A very heavy importance is being made upon surprising the audience. Those elements tend to end up sacrificing long term planning or quality on individual creative processes ( such as what happens with ‘The Acolyte’) and due to all over production costs that many viewers may even like are then simply discarded with any ongoing character or story path that showed a potential.
The road ahead needs to include changes; not simply tweaks for some specific aspects as changes also demand a critical rethink in regards to core ideas in terms of long term TV production structure, by actively providing support to their creative teams as this needs to reflect into a safer approach to new original stories which means: it might even help more by stopping on depending in too many callbacks while trying to create fresh takes without that 'familiar' setting element which always will reduce their chances to really push an agenda; and to ensure all creators, directors, writers, artists feel well protected. And its by doing this will allow, more unique stories to bloom freely.
To provide the viewers with an interesting perspective; by creating several options but not necessarily on all fronts at all times a carefully selected list ( or group of core selected options ) could offer far greater value in keeping hype (and expectations ) rather than making too many things without clear intentions that then create the opposite of intended value because not only do new viewers simply end up losing their direction with so many complex connections or long time references to previous properties while long standing fans feel their favorites aren't receiving enough love, as that leads many core viewers into being far too nostalgic. Which again brings another important concern. The nostalgia value in Star Wars can always be seen a positive quality; the core original trilogy must be respected but to make a new fresh modern Star Wars content to capture all new generations without any strings to what came before will force storytellers into far better and more effective frameworks that bring viewers both new elements but, with respect towards where they came from but without ever stopping to look forward.
Star Wars is truly special and many want for it to become the best it can be by also including newer generations. With that objective there is a long journey of reinvention ahead and that process requires taking lessons not from only the clear victories or high critical acclaims that have always made Star Wars so unique, instead they require more careful scrutiny over all the missteps or smaller issues, particularly by looking more in depth with elements produced during the cycles of the year 2024 since what works for an episode (or series cycle ) cannot guarantee a long-term success.
This careful introspection can make Star Wars a truly innovative and constantly evolving property, as these concepts highlight opportunities and ideas from those previously mentioned mistakes where a better long run path can be taken by placing focus in protecting its writers, directors, actors and core values instead of repeating cycles that had limited potential from start to finish. To continue pushing for amazing new Star Wars adventures is something a large, very passionate fan base will continue to await.