A Reel Five: The STAR WARS & Disney Anniversary

Five years ago today, the movie world was given the surprise of a lifetime when the announcement was made that famed studio Disney would be purchasing the equally-famed LucasFilm and the STAR WARS franchise. Series creator George Lucas would be retiring, handing the reigns over to long-time producer Kathleen Kennedy, and remaining as a creative consultant for future STAR WARS films, beginning with EPISODE VII in 2015. It was an announcement that sent shockwaves through the long-time fanbase and the industry itself, and debate over the success of the sale rages on today. This Blogger has always said that time is the best test of any film, or films, so on this fifth anniversary of the re-birth of STAR WARS, it is worthwhile to take a look at what’s happened since that October day in 2012.

A long time ago (five years), in a galaxy far, far away (Hollywood), it was a somewhat dark time for the STAR WARS franchise. The galactic, industry-changing series of films, which had branched out into other media and merchandise, was like a sleeping giant…nearly dormant and just waiting for a wakeup. It had been seven years since Lucas’ Prequel Trilogy; three films which take place before the events of the Original Trilogy; A NEW HOPE (1977), THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (1980), and RETURN OF THE JEDI (1983), and in those seven years casual and diehard fans were still festering over the not-so-good Prequels and the edits that were made in the 1997 re-issue of the Original Trilogy. By 2012 the franchise was quietly coasting with sales from merchandise ranging from books to video games to an animated series (the very good CLONE WARS), and while the giant slept, the lasting memory fans had of their beloved STAR WARS was in the last three films, for the inside of a movie theatre is really where the giant lived.

All that changed with the announcement of the sale, and a new hope was lit. Disney already had a historic reputation over decades of beloved family films, with recent success with Pixar and Marvel. New LucasFilm president Kathleen Kennedy had a series of hits of her own, including most of Steven Spielberg’s films and the INDIANA JONES franchise. The sale included Lucas’ outline for episodes 7-9 (he has since stepped down from his creative consultant role), and STAR WARS seemed to be coming full circle; bringing back the beloved legacy characters such as Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Han Solo (Harrison Ford), and Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia), while fulfilling Lucas’ 40-year dream of a nine-episode saga.

With Disney at the controls, the results have been spectacular. The first film, THE FORCE AWAKENS, which serves as the 7^th episode in the saga, was a critical smash, box office monster, and earned seven Oscar nominations. Although criticized in some circles for being too similar in structure to A NEW HOPE (so what), the film returned the energy, fun, and whimsy to the saga that the Prequels had left out. And perhaps more importantly, introduced us to new characters who instantly became pop culture icons; lovable droid BB-8, big-bad villain Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), and heroes Rey (Daisy Ridley), Finn (John Boyega), and Poe (Oscar Isaac). The giant had been awakened and was ready for more.

And more came just a year after THE FORCE AWAKENS, when the first spin-off film in the saga arrived in the form of ROGUE ONE. Taking place in-between episodes III and IV, ROGUE ONE was, by admission, an experiment to see if a spin-off film could work. The experiment succeeded by being accepted by box office, fans, and critics, and again, created new iconic characters to be permanently added to history; such as heroes; Jyn (Felicity Jones), Chirrut (Donnie Yen), and K-2SO (Alan Tudyk). The December release dates (the previous six movies were traditionally released in May), allowed the fun of the season to grow; home for the holidays now included new STAR WARS in the theatre…making for re-bonded friendships and new relationships.

The past is prologue, and if the last five years are any indication, then the future, despite always being in motion, is bright for STAR WARS. The first two films from Disney (and the outstanding STAR WARS REBELS animated TV series) have brought the franchise back to the basics that its always thrived on; fun, adventure, and characters, and revitalized the giant for a new generation. In the immediate future we have THE LAST JEDI, serving as EPISODE VIII, coming in December, and next year another spin-off film with SOLO, which will explore the backstory of our favorite smuggler and scoundrel, Han Solo. If these films are done with the same amount of tender loving care that we’ve seen so far from Disney, then the next five years will be like stepping into a much larger world.