The Shocking Truth Behind Lucasfilm's BTS Struggles

The success of Star Wars as a transmedia franchise is undeniable, but according to Maureen Ryan's Burn It Down, Lucasfilm is facing major issues that require attention. Hollywood has shifted towards prioritizing Intellectual Property (IP) over compelling vision, and studios like Lucasfilm and Marvel have thrived by setting the standard for their competitors. With the launch of Disney+, original content from Lucasfilm and Disney has become crucial to the corporate strategy. The Mandalorian premiered alongside Disney+ in 2019, expanding the Star Wars franchise into various mediums. However, Ryan's book sheds light on significant problems lurking behind the PR facade of a major studio.

Burn It Down Confronts Lucasfilm's "Chaos, Subpar Scripts, And Other Problems"

In her book, Ryan uses anonymous sources, including "Emma," who was recruited to work on a project expanding Lucasfilm's existing IP. Despite finding the working environment professional, Emma became frustrated with her role working under "Derek," who she believed was incompetent and generated chaos, subpar scripts, and other problems. Emma was disappointed to find that she had little creative influence and felt like a glorified babysitter. Ryan's use of anonymous sources preserves the project's secrecy, although Emma's comments suggest it may be one of Lucasfilm's Star Wars TV shows. This example highlights the industry's reluctance to change, with executives often backing those they perceive as creative and ignoring complaints. It's a sobering insight into an industry still grappling with the fallout of recent scandals.

The Power Dynamic At Lucasfilm Has Changed - For The Worse

The shift towards IP-driven narratives has altered the power dynamic in Hollywood, and this trend is particularly noticeable at Lucasfilm and Marvel Studios, as per Ryan's observations. An anonymous insider, referred to as "Christopher" by Ryan, suggests that the industry is deliberately attempting to strip writers of their influence. With the emergence of streaming, decision-making power has shifted towards directors and producers who boast experience in big-budget productions and working with A-list actors and directors. This has resulted in the exclusion of writers from the decision-making process. It's worth noting, however, that while Christopher's perspective is valid, other sources Ryan spoke to didn't entirely agree with his assessment. Regardless, this statement should be viewed in the context of the WGA writer's strike, which significantly impacted the industry.

Executives Have Too Much Power At Lucasfilm

The issue lies in the fact that TV shows are no longer standalone entities, but rather a part of a larger brand. As a result, executives are more concerned about how the show impacts the overall brand, leading to a culture of micromanagement where executives hold the real power in the production process. Emma shared her experience of executives taking over creative decisions at Lucasfilm, with one even claiming to be the showrunner. With the recent announcements from Lucasfilm, the problem may worsen, especially with the various Disney+ TV shows set in The Mandalorian era weaving together to culminate in a movie by Dave Filoni. This will put even greater narrative pressure on the shows, increasing the risk of micromanagement.

Is Lucasfilm Really Committed To Diversity?

The lack of diversity in the Star Wars live-action feature film realm has been a long-standing issue, with only white men occupying the roles of writers and directors for over four decades. Despite recent efforts to hire female directors like Patty Jenkins and collaborate with diverse writers such as Krysty Wilson-Cairns, progress has been slow, and there is still a significant underrepresentation of women of color in these positions.

Despite some signs of progress, diversity hires are often overshadowed, and their contributions are frequently qualified. In the case of The Book of Boba Fett, although Robert Rodriguez served as both executive producer and director, all episodes were written by Jon Favreau (with Filoni co-writing one). This aligns with Emma's experience with Derek, where white men had a greater degree of freedom to fail. Women and people of color, however, are held to a higher standard and are punished for mistakes, while white men are rewarded. While inclusive cast lists and director rosters are positive, Ryan suggests that having a more diverse group of lead creatives overseeing the architecture of stories and character arcs would be even better. As an example, she points to the Ahsoka Disney+ TV show, which stars Rosario Dawson, a multiracial actress, but is still helmed by Dave Filoni.

It is undeniable that Dawson's portrayal of Ahsoka Tano has been widely popular and successful, and Filoni's involvement in her creation and development cannot be ignored. However, using this as a defense for the lack of diversity in leadership roles only perpetuates the idea that certain individuals are inherently more qualified or suitable for those positions based on their race or gender. By dismissing diversity as a secondary concern, the industry is not only missing out on valuable perspectives and experiences, but also perpetuating systemic inequality. While Ryan's example may be uncomfortable, it highlights the need for a more inclusive and equitable industry.

Can You Make Star Wars On A Budget?

Emma, a source close to Ryan, claims that Lucasfilm did not care about going over-budget during the making of The Rise of Skywalker. Despite initially finding this hard to believe, Emma witnessed firsthand that mistakes and incompetence did not affect the budget, which ended up doubling. She even believes that the budget continued to increase after she left. While Ryan acknowledges that this is only one person's perspective, Emma cites the success of The Mandalorian as evidence of Lucasfilm's unwavering confidence in the Star Wars franchise. However, as Luke Skywalker warned in Return of the Jedi, overconfidence can be a weakness, and it appears to be the case with Lucasfilm.

Ryan's book Burn It Down provides a scathing critique of Lucasfilm's culture, but it's important to consider this within the context of Disney's financial struggles. Despite reports of Star Wars movies returning, Lucasfilm will need to adhere to stricter budgetary constraints. This may lead to a major culture shift at the studio, but ultimately, it could benefit them. Unfortunately, the issues highlighted in Ryan's book are not unique to Lucasfilm and reflect a larger problem within Hollywood. While the transmedia approach is bold and imaginative, there is room for improvement and the potential for even greater success.