The Unforgettable Journey of Star Wars: Embracing the Prequels & Anticipating the Sequels
The Star Wars franchise continues to captivate fans as its fanbase evolves, leading to a newfound appreciation for the prequel trilogy Discover how these once-controversial films are being redeemed and why the same will happen with the sequels
Summary
The return of Hayden Christensen in the Obi-Wan Kenobi Disney+ TV show shows that Star Wars is a generational saga, with fans who grew up with the prequels.
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Star Wars has a fanbase that spans across generations and the studio is reaching out to all of them through its content on Disney+.
The reputation of the sequel trilogy has been getting better over time, much like Ahsoka Tano. It is expected that the same will happen with Rey Skywalker as her fans grow older and become more involved in the fandom. Star Wars will continue to expand and evolve.
The Obi-Wan Kenobi Disney+ TV show signifies Star Wars' newfound appreciation for the prequel trilogy, and the same embrace will happen with the sequels. When Lucasfilm introduced the Star Wars sequels, they intentionally adopted the aesthetic of the original trilogy, as the prequel trilogy had caused division among fans. However, over time, this sentiment has changed. The Mandalorian now features characters zipping through space in a Naboo N1 starfighter from Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, and various Disney+ TV shows have welcomed back prequel characters.
During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Obi-Wan Kenobi director Deborah Chow reflects on the return of Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen in her Disney+ TV show. Chow believes that the overwhelming reception they received illustrates that Star Wars is a generational saga and that the time for the prequels has arrived.
There are numerous generations of Lucasfilm fans, each with their own unique experience and attachment to the franchise. Some fans grew up with the original Star Wars films, while others came of age with the prequels. However, when we announced that we would be bringing Hayden Christensen back to the franchise, it became apparent that there was a passionate following specifically connected to the prequel era. These fans had a deep appreciation for the prequels and saw Hayden as their beloved star. Working on something that catered to this particular generation of Star Wars fans was truly a rewarding experience.
Star Wars' Evolving Fanbase Will Redeem The Prequels Too
It helps to break Star Wars fans down into six waves:
The OT Generation (1976-1991) - the first wave of Star Wars fans, who fell in love with George Lucas' original trilogy
The Heirs to the Empire (1991-1998) - Star Wars started as a transmedia franchise, but it was the legendary Expanded Universe (now known as Legends) that truly flourished during the period from 1991 onwards.
The Chosen Ones (1999-2007) - Fans who were introduced to Star Wars through Lucas' prequel trilogy.
The Clone Wars initiated (2008-2014) when Ahsoka Tano made her first appearance in the animated film Star Wars: The Clone Wars. This debut paved the way for a widely acclaimed animated TV series.
Unexpectedly, Star Wars resurfaced (2015-2019) captivating a new generation of fans who found their entry point to the franchise through Rey.
The Children of the Watch (2019-present) - the newest generation, who are streaming on Disney+.
When viewed from this perspective, it is captivating to observe how Lucasfilm is catering to all generations of Star Wars fans on Disney+. The online platform has commissioned Star Wars: The Clone Wars season 7 and enlisted Rosario Dawson to portray the live-action Ahsoka Tano. The Mandalorian era prominently features Grand Admiral Thrawn, a beloved character from Timothy Zahn's Heir to the Empire. Additionally, fans can look forward to the return of Daisy Ridley's Rey in an upcoming Star Wars film on the big screen.
The reputation of the sequel trilogy has improved over time as its fans have matured and become more involved in the fandom. Ahsoka Tano experienced a similar shift, going from being disliked initially to becoming a beloved character. It is reasonable to expect that Rey Skywalker will undergo a similar transformation, given the enthusiastic reaction when Daisy Ridley's return was revealed at Star Wars Celebration. The Star Wars franchise will continue to expand and develop, ultimately benefiting from these changes.
