Biggest Mistake Star Wars Made on Disney+: A Critical Analysis

Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm in 2012 ushered in a new era for Star Wars, promising endless possibilities and creative exploration. The release of Disney+ seemed like the true beginning of this new age for many fans, as it became the primary platform for multiple Star Wars series. The Mandalorian, starring Pedro Pascal as a lone gunslinger with undeniable charm (even if masked), was the show that started it all. Its immense popularity and critical acclaim set a high standard for future projects, showing how new Star Wars stories could be introduced and expanded. However, what seemed like a strength at first has turned out to be one of Disney’s biggest strategic errors with the Star Wars franchise on its streaming service: tying nearly every live-action series to The Mandalorian’s canon and timeline.

This decision, while creating a cohesive universe for the New Republic era, has unintentionally limited creative freedom and the potential of the Star Wars universe. Instead of embracing the endless storytelling opportunities in a galaxy far, far away, Disney now must connect its new series to a single successful anchor, inadvertently stifling innovation and creativity.

Immediately following the events of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi provides a blank canvas for storytelling. The collapse of the Empire, the rise of the New Republic, and the aftermath of war offer numerous paths to explore the galaxy’s rebuilding. While The Mandalorian effectively told stories in this era, Disney’s decision to focus solely on this specific time period implies that it’s the only era worth exploring. This direction has constrained showrunners and writers, limiting their ability to create fresh, standalone adventures.

Although Disney has touched on different eras like the upcoming Star Wars: The Acolyte or Star Wars: Andor, anything set after Return of the Jedi has to connect to the “Mandoverse.” This approach risks creating fan fatigue, with each new show feeling like an extension of an established story rather than a distinct journey.

By focusing on one specific timeline post-Return of the Jedi, Disney risks limiting the variety of stories that can be told and potentially alienating fans who crave new and different narratives. Focusing solely on the interconnectedness of shows may lead to creative stagnation, making the franchise predictable over time. To truly thrive in the New Republic era, Star Wars needs to break free from the constraints of a single series and explore the endless possibilities within its own history.