Disney Star Wars

I consider myself one of the biggest fans of Star Wars that most people are likely to meet, but I have to admit that I have misgivings about the Disney acquisition of Lucasfilm. I think I've been waiting for my 1985, a time where Star Wars would eventually fade and I could take stock of all the experiences and collectibles I've amassed since Star Wars roared back with the Thrawn novels and later the Special Editions and Prequels. Knowing that the brand is as strong as ever is exciting, but I'm also reminded that many people consider us to be getting further and further from the core of Star Wars, the trilogy that moved a generation. A decade ago, when a Trekker might say that their franchise had at least half a dozen television series and ten movies. I took some pride that my favorite property only needed about ten hours (Revenge of the Sith was in production). Yeah, I glossed over the mid-80s cartoons, the Ewoks movies and the Holiday Special, but the actual story of Star Wars used to be far meatier. Star Trek, which I love in its own way, was watered down and I feel like Star Wars is getting that characteristic too. I love many things about the Prequels, but push comes to shove, I'm an Original Trilogy fan, and the further we get from that point, the more I wonder if I can maintain my enthusiasm for the new.


Will I be at the opening nights of all the new Star Wars films? It's extremely likely. And a positive spin on the movies is that Episode III, the last theatrical outing for a live action Star Wars movie, is the best prequel by a good margin. Rumors that spin-off movies could replace the live action TV show model may really refresh the brand and Disney has the resources and the crowd-pleasing drive to really make some wonderful movies. I'm excited, but I'm cautious with my hopes.

I do look forward to seeing how Disney brings Star Wars further into the theme parks, and I've already fantasized about a Star Wars cruise aboard one of their magnificent ships. Disney certainly gives Star Wars the legs to be around for generations to come, and in a multitude of incarnations. I should probably look at it like I looked at collecting in the 1990s. Prior to 1995 we bought Bend-ems and toys from other brands just to get that fix of childhood like when we got action figures and school supplies and trading cards. Once Kenner began producing new toys and various other vendors made a plethora of new products no one could collect it all. You had to make choices and you got what you really cared about and had to pass the less interesting. Maybe that's what's happening with all sorts of fans at this point. There are certainly divisions of passionate OT fans, a generation that prefer the prequels, and some Clone Wars kids that ask, "There are movies?" Maybe this enormous selection will be good for all of us because we get to pick and choose those elements of the galaxy far, far away that mean the most to us. It certainly appears that there will be no shortage of choices.