Movies

STAR WARS in Crisis: 6 Years Without a Movie – What Went Wrong?

BBG News

The much-acclaimed second season of “Andor,” considered by many as the finest Star Wars production from LucasFilm in years, is slated to debut on Disney+ on April 22. However, it comes at a time when the studio may be undergoing a shift. Its creator, Tony Gilroy, expressed doubts about the sustainability of productions like “Andor” during the streaming era. He stated, speaking to Empire, that “It’s unlikely anyone will initiate a project on this scale again, shoot it practically, and possess the resources and security to achieve something as grand as this.”

What does the future hold for Star Wars on both television and film? It’s been eight years since The Last Jedi was released, yet no new Star Wars films have been made. Instead, Disney has produced numerous television series such as the popular Mandalorian, the critically acclaimed Andor, and other shows with varying degrees of quality. Additionally, the Star Wars universe has extended into reality through a hotel at Disney World where visitors could engage in Jedi and Sith roles while interacting with staff in character. The closure of this role-play resort led to a viral video discussion lasting several hours about why the idea didn’t work out.

The fate of the franchise appears to rest on a triumphant comeback to cinemas. Several upcoming “Star Wars” films from renowned writers such as David Benioff (from “Game of Thrones”), D.B. Weiss, Damon Lindelof (“Lost”), and Guillermo del Toro have been proposed and then shelved. Currently, Kathleen Kennedy, the President of LucasFilm, is said to be considering retirement shortly. Earlier this year, she told “Deadline,” “We’ll likely make an announcement about my successor months or a year from now, and I plan to stay on to help the new person thrive.

Kennedy’s slate includes a few upcoming films in the Star Wars universe. For instance, Jon Favreau, who directed Iron Man and created The Mandalorian, is set to direct The Mandalorian and Grogu, a spin-off of the popular TV series due out next year. Additionally, Shawn Levy, known for Deadpool and Wolverine, will soon commence shooting Star Wars: Starfighter starring Ryan Gosling. As for LucasFilm, they are preparing for the final season of Andor.

The critical success of Andor

Viewed critically, Andor could serve as a model for triumph at LucasFilm. While it theoretically could have been a predictable prequel to Rogue One, the series takes a different route by delving into the life of Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) and his journey into the Rebellion, offering an engaging spy thriller that questions the authenticity of the struggle against totalitarianism. Unlike many similar shows, it avoids constant references to characters, props, or plotlines from its parent IP, choosing instead a more self-contained narrative (similar to House of the Dragon and The Rings of Power minimizing flashbacks and Easter eggs.)

In contrast to The Mandalorian’s episodic structure featuring a fresh planet or challenge per episode, Andor follows the format of sophisticated television series. Approximately every few episodes, Cassian explores a new planet. Similar to how he did in Rogue One, writer Gilroy immerses himself in each location, carefully constructing character arcs and frequently delivering powerful emotional resolutions at the conclusion of each character’s tale.

In my previous analysis, I noted that the language used in Season 1 by Gilroy is exact, and characters on both sides of the conflict – whether they be Empire sympathizers or rebels – frequently use similar expressions, thus making it challenging to distinguish between right and wrong. Additionally, the series’ portrayal of the relentless, life-threatening, and oppressive battle against fascism resonates deeply at this time. To put it another way, Beau Willimon wrote a powerful three-episode storyline in Season 1 where Cassian is wrongfully detained by authorities for a crime he didn’t commit and unjustly sentenced to spend years in a labor camp on House of Cards.

As a seasoned movie critic, I find myself captivated by the creative success of “Andor.” The secret sauce behind its triumph could well be attributed to the mastermind behind “Michael Clayton” and the “Bourne” series, none other than the prolific writer, Gilroy. Furthermore, the indispensable role in polishing the scripts cannot be overlooked, as demonstrated by the talented Willimon, whose recent work on both “Andor” and “Severance” has placed him high up on Hollywood’s most sought-after list of script doctors.

In simpler terms, Gilroy attributes the success of Disney+’s top-rated series, “The Mandalorian,” as the foundation that allowed him to take creative chances with “Andor.” He stated this during an interview with Empire, saying, “If it weren’t for ‘The Mandalorian,’ there wouldn’t be ‘Andor.’ Honestly, don’t underestimate that.” Lucasfilm deserves praise for placing trust in Gilroy and providing sufficient funding, even though “Andor” didn’t achieve the same viewership as “The Mandalonian.” They were willing to take a risk due to the potential benefits. It’s puzzling why the studio hasn’t found a similar collaborative approach with creators like Lindelof or del Toro.

Star Wars’ struggles to find a footing on the big screen

Prior to concluding the Skywalker saga with “Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker” in 2019, LucasFilm appeared to be grappling with the cinematic future of the Star Wars franchise. Originally, Colin Trevorrow was slated to direct the ninth installment in the Star Wars series, which was initially named “Star Wars: Duel of the Fates.” However, LucasFilm opted to replace Trevorrow with J.J. Abrams, who had previously directed “The Force Awakens,” marking the first of several director changes for the franchise.

The filmmaking duo Phil Lord and Chris Miller, known for directing movies like The Lego Movie and 21 Jump Street, were let go during the production of Solo: A Star Wars Story (an origin tale about Han Solo) in 2018. They were subsequently replaced by Ron Howard. Unfortunately, the movie didn’t perform well at the box office and the planned sequels based on events hinted within the film never materialized.

2023 saw underwhelming ticket sales for Disney’s “Solo,” causing their CEO Bob Iger to express concern at a conference. He explained that perhaps the release schedule was too fast-paced and they needed to slow down. Moving forward, Iger emphasized that they will be extra cautious when producing new films, ensuring each one is well thought out and perfectly timed for success.

Previously announced Star Wars movies that ultimately didn’t materialize include a Boba Fett film by James Mangold, a Jabba the Hutt movie directed by Guillermo del Toro, a trilogy from David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, and a project from Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige. Projects from Taika Waititi (Thor: Ragnarok) and Patty Jenkins (Wonder Woman) seem to be in limbo for now. This list includes many prominent directors whose efforts resulted in no visible output.

The Disney+ television glut

In November 2019, just prior to the pandemic’s outbreak, Disney+ debuted with a wave of content drawn from their most successful brands, Marvel and Star Wars (as well as Pixar for younger audiences). Shows like The Mandalorian and WandaVision were early hits due to their departure from typical franchise TV production norms. For example, the innovative series WandaVision satirized sitcoms across eras. Meanwhile, The Mandalorian surprised viewers with a shocking twist in its first episode – the appearance of a lovable creature we now know as “Baby Yoda” online.

Maybe, in their rush to produce a large volume of material, subsequent shows seemed to lack the originality and captivating nature of their predecessors. These series appeared to be less imaginative, less intriguing, and relied heavily on viewers having watched extensive amounts of Marvel or Star Wars content just to follow the storylines. For Marvel Studios, this abundance and decline in quality have affected box office performance for its feature films, which haven’t met the studio’s expectations following Avengers: Endgame.

LucasFilm has managed to avoid the same challenges faced by movie theaters since they haven’t released any new Star Wars movies in six years. However, they’ve kept fans engaged by delivering numerous TV series on Disney+ such as Ahsoka, The Skeleton Crew, The Acolyte, Obi-Wan Kenobi, The Bad Batch, and Boba Fett. While these shows have been entertaining, none have quite matched the impact of The Mandalorian or received the critical acclaim of Andor. Consequently, fans seem to be experiencing a blend of Star Wars burnout on TV and a desire for epic, cinematic narratives instead.

What’s next for Star Wars

Fear not, Star Wars enthusiasts! Given that Disney’s shareholders demand continued success, it’s likely we’ll see another Star Wars movie on the big screen eventually. Currently, two Star Wars projects have confirmed release dates. The Mandalorian and Grogu spinoff, featuring Pedro Pascal and Baby Yoda, is slated for May 22, 2026. Additionally, a film titled Star Wars: Starfighter, starring Ryan Gosling, has a scheduled debut in May 2027. This second movie will introduce all-new characters and take place approximately five years following the events of The Rise of Skywalker.

Currently, after his Boba Fett film project was abandoned, Mangold is rumored to be working on a new Star Wars movie, which takes place 25,000 years before The Phantom Menace. Meanwhile, Simon Kinberg, known for penning several X-Men films, has committed to creating a trilogy within the Star Wars franchise.

Rian Johnson, director of ‘The Last Jedi’, hints that he might or might not return to the Star Wars universe for a planned trilogy following the completion of the Knives Out series. On the other hand, Patty Jenkins’ Rogue Squadron movie, initially slated for 2023, has been delayed multiple times. A film by Taika Waititi also appears to be stuck in development limbo. However, there’s a possibility that one or more of these movies could eventually make it to the big screen.

Lucasfilm has revealed plans for a movie or possible trilogy centered around the character Rey Skywalker. Previously, the studio enlisted Damon Lindelof for a project involving Rey, but he jokingly admitted his departure from the Star Wars universe. Subsequently, Steven Knight from Locke’ was brought in to replace Lindelof, only for him to also exit the project. This leaves the film’s future uncertain at the moment. Interestingly, collaborators of Lindelof, Carlton Cuse (from Lost) and Nick Cuse (The Leftovers and Watchmen), are rumored to be working on a live-action Star Wars series. Given their past collaborations with Lindelof, it’s plausible that this team might bring similar creative ideas to the table for the Star Wars universe.

2023 saw Dave Filoni stepping into the role of Chief Creative Officer at LucasFilm, tasked with shaping the course of Star Wars films and television productions. Known for his work on animated series such as The Clone Wars, Filoni also collaborated with Jon Favreau, director of Iron Man, on The Mandalorian. While details about other future projects are sparse, it’s clear that Filoni has big plans for the Star Wars universe on the silver screen.

The situation is uncertain for now, but fans remain optimistic that some of these preliminary ideas might solidify soon. For the time being, at least we have the series “Andor” to look forward to.

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2025-04-22 18:07

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