Disney’s handling of Star Wars has undeniably had its ups and downs, leading many fans to a state of cautious acceptance. Much like Rey’s quip about the Millennium Falcon, Disney’s Star Wars is not always what fans had hoped for, but for many, it still “will do.”
Since purchasing Lucasfilm in 2012, Disney’s Star Wars films began with the massively successful The Force Awakens, which hit $2 billion worldwide. However, the follow-ups faced a steady decline.
The Last Jedi was divisive among fans, though it made $1.3 billion, and The Rise of Skywalker ended the trilogy with $1 billion—a respectable figure, but half of what the first entry grossed. Standalone films like Rogue One were moderately successful, but Solo underperformed, signaling trouble for the big-screen ventures.
Disney then pivoted to TV, launching The Mandalorian in 2019, which became an instant hit and helped propel Disney+ into the streaming spotlight. However, the company has struggled to replicate this success.
Shows like The Book of Boba Fett, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Andor, Ahsoka, and The Acolyte had varying degrees of success in terms of ratings, critical reception, and fandom feedback. While some like Andor were critically acclaimed, the ratings didn’t reflect the same enthusiasm.
One recurring issue has been Disney’s ambitious plans that faltered or were scrapped entirely, from planned trilogies by top creators to behind-the-scenes shake-ups on major films.
Fans also criticized the inconsistency of creative visions, especially in the sequel trilogy, where directors’ contrasting ideas clashed instead of complementing each other.
As Disney continues to develop upcoming shows like Skeleton Crew and potential films, the question remains: can Disney rekindle the magic of the galaxy far, far away? While fans might feel nostalgic disappointment, the franchise still thrives financially. It’s not quite the Millennium Falcon in its prime, but for now, the “garbage” will do.
