A long time ago, in a movie deal far, far away, Disney announced the future release of a third “Star Wars” trilogy. More recently, they’ve specified their plan to release a new film yearly beginning in 2015, alternating between episodic features and spinoffs.
It is a period of civil war. On the con side, the Galactic Empire’s ultimate weapon, columnist Tony Huang, argues against the fueling of a saga that has gone on far past its worth. Pursued by Huang’s sinister opinion, columnist Sebastian Torrelio supports the profitable expansion of a beloved franchise, custodian of a belief that can save his people and restore freedom to the galaxy.
“Star Wars” is, quite literally, a pop-culture monster. Over the course of almost four decades, George Lucas’ operatic vision has created a worldwide franchise that has invaded practically every form of media imaginable, including books, television and even video games. Even without yearly feature films coming out, it’s hard to imagine a world without at least the occasional reference.
The creation of “Star Wars” sequels was inevitable. Positively thinking, it may even be the best time to do so. With only about eight years since “Revenge of the Sith,” about half the wait time between “Return of the Jedi” and “The Phantom Menace,” most of the cast and crew of both trilogies are still young and able enough to contribute their services to the fans.
In contrast, it’s also been long enough for the dust to settle, allowing for new Padawans to refreshingly enjoy what generations before them were able to appreciate.
Above all, though, I trust Disney’s handling of the franchise at a time when it has proven itself. Its current handling of animated and superhero films, releasing many every year that vary in quality from good to brilliant, is a model.
The production of yearly “Star Wars” sequels and spinoffs, although intimidating, is likely to take a similarly successful path. Putting “sci-fi philosopher” J.J. Abrams at the helm of its first project can only keep the train rolling.
Granted, it is a money train. But the “Star Wars” franchise has always been expanding its universe to consistent success over the decades. This holds true for the recent past as well, with an animated show on Cartoon Network, numerous video game releases and a steady flow of novels and comics over the years.
With a new trilogy and new spinoffs come endless possibilities for old and new fans alike, no matter the media form they prefer. As long as the kids at Disney don’t get cocky, many of those possibilities are bound to flourish.
Email Torrelio at storrelio@media.ucla.edu if you’re on the “love” side.
It’s always a bit of a culture shock when I recall how massive the “Star Wars” following is – it’s a pleasant enough franchise, but to me, it’s at its core just a rather silly and awkward space western. Growing up many degrees separated from the “Star Wars” fan base and mythology, my mind boggles at how it ever took off.
Disbelief notwithstanding, it’s a big enough deal that, lo, here we are contemplating sequels upon sequels to an almost 40-year-old franchise. It’s only appropriate, I suppose, that “Star Wars” is turning into a veritable factory, complete with assembly-line pace and questionable work ethic. The problems inherent in “Star Wars” are only going to be magnified by the demands of yearly production: the formula can’t sustain so much repetition, and modern effects are only going to overcrowd its narrative even further.
Even the best of the original trilogy, “The Empire Strikes Back,” was not much more than progenitor to the mindless action flicks of today: rebel hero (check), budding romance (check), testosterone action (check), witty quips (check), all fit onto a flimsy storyline seemingly appropriated from high school “hero’s journey” worksheets. For diverting an afternoon, the series is fine. For it to be a lifelong obsession – one that, by sheer determination, is to be wrung into the new millennium for reasons far from quality – I’m at a loss.
Plus, it’s evidently clear that the whole thing is a cash-in – “Star Wars” may as well be George Lucas’ personal ATM. It’s not totally disrespectful to have J.J. Abrams, by most accounts an excellent Steven Spielberg imitator, to helm it, but it is rather distasteful to go through yet another round of hype and probable disappointment (“Phantom Menace,” anyone?).
Moreover, you just know that no one’s going to come out totally satisfied. The fans will nitpick, the non-fans will hate and the apathetic will wonder how many better movies could have been made with those millions.
All this for a franchise that was never more than OK at best. Which is fine – for me, the drama around it has always been more entertaining than the drama within it.
Email Huang at thuang@media.ucla.edu if you’re on the “hate” side.