Star Wars Is Changing The World…Again

In the late 70’s to early 80’s George Lucas and Star Wars changed the world. I can go on and on about how they did this, but I'm not here to beat a dead horse. I'm here to tell you how I think they are doing it again, but with TV shows rather than movies.

The best way to visualize this is to compare Star Wars to the MCU. Some may argue Star Trek should be talked about here, but to be honest I have never really loved Star Trek that much, so sue me. These are two perfect entities to compare since they are both owned by the same parent company (Disney), but operate independently. They both have a permanent home for the shows in Disney+, and they are both some of the most popular franchises in the world. I don’t think we can deny that both of these franchises are top five, and arguably can go 1-2 for the top spots of all time franchises. Both franchises are shoveling loads and loads of money at both feature films and shows with the production value of these shows being on par with movies.

The Star Wars Universe is arguably the largest Cinematic Universe we have been introduced to. Sure the MCU is also very large, but it really only covers 15ish years of time primarily while Star Wars covers almost 80 years. The MCU is also for the most part grounded to one planet with a relatively linear timeline as new properties are released. I know we have the GOTG chillin out in space and Thor goes to Sakaar, and not all the movies have been released in chronological order, but like I said FOR THE MOST PART. Both of these highly respected franchises are utilizing movies and shows to broaden their horizons. While both franchises have announced plans for properties on both the big and small screen, Star Wars is keeping things closer to the chest and appear to be focusing on producing more shows where Marvel is throwing EVERYTHING out there and seems to be split more or less 50-50 between movies and shows.

Let's look at the MCU first. This is an impressive resume. As of February 2022, the MCU canon has released 27 feature films and 4 shows (Ironically 27 episodes). I will note that the shows do not include any of the Netflix series, Agents of Shield, Agent Carter, or What If… because we don't really know where any of those land. Generally speaking the MCU uses movies to introduce characters, then teams them all up and sends them back on individual stories to eventually bring them back together again in an endless cycle; unless you are Tony Stark then you are dead. Admittedly this is a feat that I do not think can ever be replicated. To have this many movies all working together is very impressive. Then they give us the Disney+ shows to explore interesting side story lines of lesser characters to expand their individual brands and bring (presumably) a fleshed out character to the big screen.

Now let's compare that to Star Wars which totals a “less impressive” resume with 11 feature films and 6 shows (288 episodes, if you were curious). Unlike the MCU, Star Wars has used its feature films to tell a more contained and elongated story (The Skywalker Saga) and uses the shows to expand the world by introducing new characters and stories that at times can complement the Skywalker Saga characters. Some of these new characters, in my opinion, are way more interesting than anything the Skywalker Saga has produced. (case in point, Ahsoka, Grogu, Mando)

The MCU shows don’t work without the movies. The Star Wars shows almost work independently of the movies and do not need any of the feature films to be successful. If you watch any of the Marvel shows they do not make much sense on their own and reference so much from the movies that you are going to be lost if you have not watched the prior films. Star Wars on the other hand has found a way to make the movies work individually (or as a trilogy), the shows to work individually, AND they work almost seamlessly together ALL AT THE SAME TIME! You don't have to have watched any of the Star Wars movies for Rebels or The Mandalorian to be entertaining and compelling.

In both cases you could argue that the franchises are hurt by the shows because the common viewer doesn’t want to sit through hours and hours of shows to have helped the movies make more sense and vice versa. I disagree with this wholeheartedly. I think by having both you can appeal to everyone. It is kind of like picking someone up at a bar. You are going to get out of it what you put in. If you only want to be a casual fan, the movies are great. If you are a die-hard the shows complement the movies.

Now that I have bored you with what the two franchises are, let me tell you why Star Wars is paving the way. The blockbuster film is dying. In recent years, fueled largely by a global pandemic, visual entertainment is moving to streaming services and the masses are not wanting to go out and spend $50 on a date night when they can watch content at home with the ability to pause it to pee and watch it at their own pace. By focusing on the shows Star Wars is appealing to its original generation fans who are starting to retire and have more time at home to watch a higher quantity of 45 min episodes then they used to. They are also appealing to a younger generation that has grown up on long running shows, AND setting up for a baby generation (who lets be honest with ourselves are eventually not understanding what going to the movies is) similar to how going to the theater was the bee's knees back in the day and now it is something looked at reserved for the super snobby rich people. By having the shows push the limits of the franchise they are making it easier to get people to go to the movies. Introduce me to a character, make me fall in love with them, tell me 75% of there story and then ask me to go to the movies to see how it ends; where Marvel is pumping these movies out faster than rabbits fucking in the spring. Another advantage that Star Wars has is there is no source material. This puts little pressure on the creators in the sense that it is not being compared to anything where Marvel is getting compared to 70+ years of comics and graphic novels. This does make it easier to develop content since you have a guideline to go off of.

You may have to hang with me on this last part, but Star Wars is more realistic than the MCU. Wait whaaaaaa? Like I said, hear me out. The MCU is powered by people with superhuman abilities who decide whether to use those powers for good or evil. Star Wars is just life and politics once space travel and planet hopping is achievable for the human species. Me going to my local Bass Pro Shop and buying a Laser Gun is much more likely to happen then someone having the ability to fly. Even though Star Wars is set “a long long time ago in a galaxy far away” it is still more relatable. Most of the personal conflicts in Superhero movies focus on the balance between being a normal person and a superhero. I am never going to be a superhero, however it is plausible that in my lifetime I will see interplanetary travel.

I love both these franchises and can not wait to see what the future holds for them. Let me know if you agree or if I am just off on a bender talking nonsense, which is always a strong possibility.

Let's all assemble and let the force flow through us,

-B. Banner esq