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Let’s talk about the dire future of Star Wars TV

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Let's talk about the dire future of Star Wars TV

As a long-time Star Wars fan and someone who has followed the franchise through its highs and lows, I must say that my current state of excitement for new Star Wars television content is at an all-time low. Over the years, I’ve seen promising shows like The Clone Wars get canceled too soon or relegated to the sidelines, while others struggle under the weight of corporate expectations and short-sighted decision making.

I was listening to my friends at Gold Squadron Gays podcast, and they made a good point in the latest episode about The Bad Batch’s Season 3 finale. As they discussed the Skeleton Crew trailer, one of the hosts, Charles, mentioned that we’re coming to the end of what he dubbed Star Wars TV’s “Phase One.” Out of all the shows initially announced in 2020, Skeleton Crew and Andor Season 2 will bring that era to a close next year. What would the future of Star Wars TV look like after Andor? I was already thinking about writing an article based on this conversation because it’s a good question to ponder about. But then that night, The Acolyte got canceled.

Let’s dive into the potential future of Star Wars on television, a future that seems to be shrouded in increasing gloom.

2020 saw Lucasfilm unveil eleven upcoming television series at Disney’s Investor Day, an announcement that was particularly thrilling even amidst a global pandemic. Two years later, the series “Skeleton Crew” was added to the lineup, promising a promising future for Star Wars on small screens.

From the twelve series initially announced, eight have either already aired or are set to debut or conclude in the year 2025. Unfortunately, “Rangers of the New Republic” was terminated due to an actress facing career troubles (although I personally thought it should’ve continued as the Carson Teva and Zeb Orrelios show). The series “Lando” is rumored to be transitioning into a film, but given Lucasfilm’s history of announcing movies without following through, I won’t hold my breath. As for “A Droid Story”, there’s been radio silence since 2021 regarding any updates.

As a gamer stuck at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, I found myself eagerly tuning into “The Mandalorian” every week. With limited options for entertainment outside of our homes, it’s no surprise that viewership was up across all TV shows. But let me make this clear: “The Mandalorian” didn’t just benefit from the pandemic; it’s a fantastic series that premiered months before the global situation took hold.

Currently, the situation with TV is quite grim. Many streaming platforms are experiencing difficulties, leading to show cancellations across various channels. Even more disappointing, some shows are being removed permanently. I can’t help but feel frustrated that I missed out on watching Willow.

In addition, the eight-episode format of contemporary shows can make it difficult for a fresh series to take flight. It’s a limited timeframe to introduce new characters, develop a long-term plot (without being too lengthy in case it gets canceled), create a universe, and achieve those massive initial streaming viewership numbers. Not every series is destined for success like Hazbin Hotel, which already had a built-in fanbase due to its indie pilot and YouTube sister show Helluva Boss. Shows such as The Acolyte and even The Mandalorian needed to essentially begin anew. However, Mando was in a distinct television environment and was set within a period that wasn’t entirely unfamiliar between the original and sequel trilogies. Thus, Mando required less effort in world-building compared to the High Republic series. With Lucasfilm planning to transition from TV production back towards filmmaking, we might not have many more opportunities to introduce new characters.

I find myself nostalgic for the era when shows typically had 22 episodes per season, such as “The Bad Batch” which was fortunate enough to receive this many. With the animation industry facing increasingly challenging circumstances, it might be a while before we see another series like that. Given the ongoing negotiations between The Animation Guild and AMPTP, scheduled to resume in September, I anticipate seeing more anthology-style shows like “Tales” rather than extended series like “Star Wars Rebels.”

Unlike other streaming platforms such as AMC, which nurtures unique series like “Interview With the Vampire” and provides a second season for shows like “The Mayfair Witches”, despite their lower viewership or reputation compared to sister shows, Lucasfilm and Disney aren’t in the same boat. AMC has devoted substantial resources to developing the “Immortals Universe,” aiming to adapt all of Anne Rice’s works for television. With a third show focused on the Talamasca on the horizon, AMC demonstrates its commitment to these series, allowing them room to develop and flourish. While they may not match the viewership of shows like “The Walking Dead” and its spin-offs, AMC has given “Interview With the Vampire,” their second most popular franchise after the zombie series, a chance. As it enters its third season, this well-regarded show serves as proof that investing in ideas and giving them time to grow can lead to great outcomes!

2025’s Star Wars Celebration Japan promises to be even more intriguing, without a doubt. The upcoming movies seem set to take center stage given their numerous productions. Regarding Star Wars television, we might not hear much about new developments. Over the past few years, Lucasfilm and Disney have shown that they prioritize numbers over nurturing shows to build an audience. In other words, it’s all about the ratings.

If The Mandalorian doesn’t become an instant success, it could be canceled. The situation with The Animation Guild may lead them into a strike or they might have just concluded one. Lucasfilm seems to be repeating past mistakes. Solo: A Star Wars Story failed due to the need to essentially film it twice, making it extremely costly. The Book of Boba Fett was interrupted during production and merged with The Mandalorian, reducing Boba Fett’s screen time significantly. As a new series in the franchise, The Acolyte needed time to develop and grow.

From my perspective, the future of Star Wars TV seems rather disappointing. I’m not optimistic about receiving anything fresh, innovative, or original. It appears that Lucasfilm and Disney prioritize using deep fake A.I. over recasting actors (a decision I believe was wrongly influenced by the experience with Solo, where Alden Ehrenreich was not the main issue). They seem to prefer sticking with well-known narratives instead of nurturing new concepts and allowing them to flourish. It’s a shame that the next animated series might just be another Clone Wars spin-off, as it seems to have a tight grip on the franchise (notice how Disney executives chose to suppress LGBTQ+ characters from an earlier animated show).

I must admit, my enthusiasm for upcoming Star Wars TV series has waned significantly. With the constant threat of cancellation looming over anything fresh, innovative, and revolutionary, it’s challenging to maintain interest. I doubt that they’ll change my mind about this any time soon.

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2024-08-21 00:22

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