New Disney+ slate = Star Wars overload?

ahalpert

ahalpert

Major Contributor
I havent seen the Mandalorian yet, so I'm probably the last person who should be commenting, but... doesn't this seem like too much Star Wars? I fear the whole thing will be a bit contorted in service to the original saga (somewhat like the sequel trilogy, which alternated between shredding it and recycling it)

Both Star Wars and Star Trek are unique universes and histories, but I don't feel like there are as many sacred cows in Star Trek. And it's less oriented around a specific character than around a future history and set of scientific and cultural rules.

I feel like there's a high likelihood for these shows to be derivative, vacuous, ruinous of the original story or all three. Or maybe some will be great. what do you think? Should I be more excited?

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.sf...-plus-new-Star-Wars-Marvel-shows-15794924.php

"Disney+ announced enough new Star Wars and Marvel shows to last another pandemic"

In the "Star Wars" universe, there are nearly a dozen new entries:

Andor
Diego Luna reprises his character from “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” and, presumably, shoots aliens.

Obi-Wan
Not only will Ewan McGregor reprise his role as Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi – something that had been rumored for years – but Hayden Christensen will return to the role of Anakin Skywalker in something Kathleen Kennedy calls “the rematch of the century.”

Rangers of the New Republic
This is the first of two spin-offs from the series “The Mandalorian,”

Ahsoka
This is the second spin-off from “The Mandalorian” that I just alluded to up there, but this one stars Rosario Dawson as the titular dual-lightsaber wielding rogue Jedi.

Lando
Lando Calrissian will get his own show, though there’s no indication whether Donald Glover or Billy Dee Williams will reprise their roles as the outlaw gambler.

The Acolyte
“Russian Doll” (Netflix) co-creator Leslye Headland is writing and show-runnig this mysterious female-centric “Star Wars” series.

The Bad Batch
This series will function as an animated spin-off of the beloved series “The Clone Wars,” and picks up right after the “Order 66” to assassinate the Jedi that happened at the end of “The Revenge of the Sith.”

Visions
An anthology of short anime films set in the “Star Wars” universe is, right now, limited to 10 episodes, but you can expect that to grow if it’s well received.

A Droid Story
Finally, an animated R2D2 and C3PO story! That's basically all we know.
 
The second season of Mandalorian is much better than the first. The episode where Rosario Dawson played alien Jedi Ahsoka was a highlight and the best of the series. A series focused on her character has a lot of potential. We were getting a lot of Star Wars wether we wanted to or not, so I think Disney is smart to focus on series where they've had more creative success and the stakes aren't as high, and the occasional one off movie like Rogue Squadron.
 
Seems excessive but they are surely doing due diligence when it comes to market research. Clearly they have concluded that there is a massive audience for this brand.

The other factor is that the virtual studios probably make this kind of production pretty inexpensive. No locations or lighting beyond the grid, just actors, costumes, and props. Heck, with some of the costumes these characters wear, they don't even need to record audio on set! Just dub it in later.
 
I love how after Solo/Last Jedi, they said they need to re-evaluate their strategy to avoid star wars fatigue. This is their answer, lol.

But really, if the content is all stellar, I'm for it. BUT... I'm wary of "bloatware". It's very difficult to avoid unnecessarily dragging stories to cover an entire season's worth of shows when many things would play better as a tight 2.5 hour experience. We've seen this with the Hobbit becoming a 9 hour slog, we've seen it with Hunger Games Mockingjay Part I and II (which would have made an excellent 2 hour movie and instead made for a mediocre 4.5 hour movie).

The approach here feels Disney+ oriented more than creatively oriented. Clearly, they need enough fresh star wars content to rotate through in order to have new episodes launching 12 out of 12 months every year and to thus keep everyone jacked into the freshly increased $7.99 a month price. $80/year, paid direct to Disney, certainly nets more than a new tentpole Star Wars movie launched every year (which requires supply chain, marketing, paying percentages to theaters, etc.). And this much content will certainly spur on the merchandising efforts with an endless stream of new characters and worlds to sell.
 
ahalpert said:
doesn't this seem like too much Star Wars?
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You're a little late to the party. [cue] Bill Murry SNL clip. I've given up caring long ago in a galaxy far far away. Actually these tv derivatives have a better chance of creative freedom to explore side stories and characters than the nonsensical theatrical prequels, sequels, postquels. That being said I have no pressing desire to watch them.
 
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doesn't this seem like too much Star Wars?
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No.

I fear the whole thing will be a bit contorted in service to the original saga
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What does that mean?

(somewhat like the sequel trilogy, which alternated between shredding it and recycling it)
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Nice metaphor!

I don't feel like there are as many sacred cows in Star Trek.
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All of the Star Wars cows are dead.

I feel like there's a high likelihood for these shows to be derivative, vacuous, ruinous of the original story or all three.
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Absolutely!

Or maybe some will be great.
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Pfft.

Should I be more excited?
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No.
 
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combatentropy said:
"I fear the whole thing will be a bit contorted in service to the original saga"

What does that mean?
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I think what I mean is the compulsive need to reverently refer back to the original. And simultaneously maintain its plot/character continuity as they violate it both to show their independence and also because they're not (allowed to be) creative enough to properly walk the tightrope or, in fact, develop something new that departs from the original trilogy. I think the sequel trilogy could have been interesting set at the Jedi academy where we see Kylo Ren turn evil. (There were memorable books set at the academy.) But then Ford and Fisher would have been too old to recast for those parts and they would have missed the nostalgia dollars.

Classic JJ Abrams move - focus on getting asses in seats with casting etc more than on the actual story.

And sure - these new shows COULD be great. It all comes down to the writing. But I'm guessing it will be hit and miss.

It sort of feels like the end of an Oprah episode ("you get a spinoff! You get a spinoff! You get...")

Some critic wrote about the new star wars releases that the star wars universe was meant to be sketched but not charted (unlike LOTR which, according to them, was more fleshed out).

My personal feeling is that we all had an amazing time with the original trilogy (which - let's face it - was already trending towards repetition and self-parody with return of the jedi). I watched each original film innumerable times as a kid and quote them frequently. On some level, I feel like we're all hoping to repeat that experience.

Maybe rogue one achieved it? I havent seen it yet...

But...look at the interest this particular thread has engendered. Obviously, there's a massive built-in audience for SW that will grab a subscription to at least skim through episodes at bedtime.

My hopes are low, but maybe one of these shows will be amazing.

I think Netflix has a better idea with adapting well-received novels like Altered Carbon and The Witcher
 
PS Disney is totally trying to Marvel the star wars universe (Star Wars Cinematic Universe)

If they ever make a Star Wars-Marvel crossover movie....please don't tell me
 
ahalpert said:
Maybe rogue one achieved it? I havent seen it yet...
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No, it didn't come close to recapturing that magic. I enjoyed it, and all around it's probably the single best movie of the Disney Star Wars films, but it's still a far cry from the OT. But it shows they'd do best to avoid the legacy baggage and just do entertaining one offs with new characters.
 
Fans want to relive the magic of the original and movie studios want repeat the box office success. Both are understand but unfortunately sequels are recipe for disappointment. What most people loved about the original was the chemistry and raw excitement of seeing something we've never seen before. A wonderful blending of fun, special effects, and story telling. The weight of exceeding expectations while trying to replicate the experience over and over again to me at least has become wearisome. I don't expect I speak for everyone, many in fact would love to see a new Star War movie every year.
 
The other thing is - the original trilogy were actually really well-written stories and capably directed. They were GOOD movies in their own right (especially new hope and empire) aside from the novel and imaginative universe and characters Lucas created. It's not just about expanding the universe or playing with the same magic...it's also about brilliant three-act structuring and great plot devices etc
 
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