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Three years after the franchise hark back with force in 2015 , Disney is giving theStar Warsfranchise a recess - and that ’s a very good affair . There ’s no D23 expo this twelvemonth , Star Wars Celebration is skip over 2018 , and Lucasfilm is n’t doinganythingat this yr ’s San Diego Comic - Con . After four years of nonstop Star Wars spill , it ’s a grinding stay .
Star Warswill still be there , of course . New telecasting showStar Wars Resistancepremieres in the Fall and there ’s Galaxy ’s Edge at Disneyworld rolling forward , but in terms of major events there ’s nothing of the ordered series interview have become wonted to untilStar war 9 in December 2019 .
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In the aftermath ofSolo : A Star Wars Storyand its box role loser , this may come along like Disney ’s just running off to lick its wounds . However , while it ’s definitely offering an opportunity to address key issues ( such asSolo ’s poor selling ) , there are more elaborated reasons why this is a well move .
The Last Two Star Wars Movies Have Split The Fan Base
The last twoStar Warsmovies have test to be middling controversial . Star warfare : The Last Jedigrossed over $ 1.3 billion at the global box office and was adore by critics , buttheStar Warsfanbase was left deeply divided . Rian Johnson ’s smart , subversive approach to the franchise simply was n’t what many old - schoolStar Warsfans had expected : its irreverent flavor contrasted with the wider dealership , and a identification number of game twists were perceived as unsatisfactory . Luke Skywalker ’s depiction proved to be especially factious ; evenMark Hamill admit he was initially wary . While the argument clearly did n’t affect the film ’s execution all that much , it nevertheless had a adult impact on the discourse .
Then there’sSolo : A Star Wars Story , which has become the enfranchisement ’s first fizzle . Behind - the - panorama drama had given the film bad press , and a lackluster marketing military campaign neglect to persuade fans to care . make matter worse , it was scheduled to release onMemorial Day , a weekend now viewed as dangerous for any would - be blockbuster .
For the first metre since Disney ’s purchase , the bombilation aroundStar Warsis veering strongly electronegative . The Last Jedidivided buff andSolo- while a perfectly sound picture show - has only failed to do . A period of subdued reflection could easily give up this to snuff it down .
Related:How The Last Jedi Changes Star Wars Forever
Star Wars Fatigue Is Closing In
look beyond the film , there ’s other evidenceStar Warscould be meet from a degree of fatigue . Star Warsmerchandise has been a expectant business since 1977 , yet recently sales are dangle . Despite a range of innovations , including Hasbro’sForce Linktechnology , Star Warssales were down in 2017 . inculpation has been placed onThe Last Jedi , which failed to introduce compelling Modern characters . Rose Tico , DJ , and Admiral Holdo failed to resonate ; meanwhile , costume designs for character like Poe Dameron and Rey were too similar to those sported inThe Force Awakens , meaning collectors showed little interest group . Action figures colligate toSolo , on the other hand , felt uninspiring , and the film ’s poor box office public presentation is certain to have left children and collectors likewise disinterested in the figures .
Matters are made even more difficult by a shakeup in the retail environment , withToys ' R ' Us- which comprised about 15 % of the market - close down . This takes out one of the franchise ’s biggest retail merchant , and is sure to make a further dent in 2018 ’s sales . Disney is sassy to take a break , and will no doubt be carefully assessing what happens to the market over the next few months . This would then allow Lucasfilm to launch a reinvigorated ware cause next year .
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Star Warsisn’t dying , but it ’s not in the same high state it was just a year or so ago . The celluloid have inevitably become less of an " consequence , " and so they ’re risking being just another would - be blockbuster vie in a extremely competitive surround . The unseasoned Han Solo moviewas generally believed to be a test at whether or notLucasfilm could agitate to releasing two moving-picture show a year ; instead , it looks as though the opening betweenSoloandStar warfare 9is a much - involve hazard for the franchise to regroup - and that total scheme may need to be reassessed .
More:No, Disney Isn’t Killing Star Wars
