The Incredible Advantages of Disney's Star Wars Over George Lucas'

Disney's Star Wars has surpassed George Lucas' version of the franchise in terms of one particular aspect: the portrayal of younger characters. While it is widely acknowledged that Lucas' original Star Wars trilogy remains the superior one, Disney's Star Wars projects have their own merits. This is evident not just in the theatrical films, but also in the television series that Disney has delved into. The Mandalorian, a live-action series that received positive feedback, and the highly-anticipated final season of the animated Star Wars: The Clone Wars are prime examples of Disney's success with the Star Wars franchise on the small screen. The improvement in the portrayal of younger characters becomes apparent when comparing shows like The Mandalorian and animated efforts like Star Wars: The Bad Batch to Lucas' work.

Disney Star Wars Has Better Child Characters Than Lucas’ Star Wars

The character of Grogu, also known as "Baby Yoda," has captured the affection of Star Wars fans worldwide. His adorable appearance in The Mandalorian's premiere instantly endeared him to audiences. However, beyond his cuteness, Grogu's character is well-crafted and compelling. He is a Jedi survivor of Order 66 and faces the difficult decision of choosing between a Mandalorian lifestyle and becoming Luke Skywalker's Padawan. Grogu's story arc makes him a central and emotionally resonant character in The Mandalorian.

Similarly, Omega from The Bad Batch becomes the emotional core of the show. The addition of a younger, original character to an already established team could have felt forced and unnecessary, depending on the execution. However, by following the example set by The Mandalorian, Omega's role as a surrogate daughter/sister to the members of Clone Force 99 instantly makes her a captivating and relatable character. Audiences can't help but feel a strong desire to protect her, just like the members of the Bad Batch do.

Why George Lucas’ Writing Issues Hurt The Prequels’ Younger Characters

In contrast, the two main young characters of Lucas' prequel trilogy - Anakin Skywalker and Boba Fett - lack the compelling nature that could have tied their young lives into the overall Star Wars saga. Unfortunately, Lucas' scriptwriting misgivings resulted in their inclusion being a misfire. Despite Jake Lloyd and Daniel Logan giving their best performances with the material they were given, the script often portrayed them as wooden, lifeless, and mere stereotypes of child characters.

Lucas' writing issues are further highlighted by the fact that both Grogu and Omega are not tangible characters. Grogu is portrayed by a puppet, while Omega from The Bad Batch is a CGI creation. It is the actors, prop departments, and skillful writing that breathe life into these characters. Regrettably, Lucas struggled to create a script that Lloyd or Logan could effectively portray, resulting in the child characters of the Star Wars prequels lacking the depth and impact seen in Disney's more recent endeavors.