The New Way
Note: This was written just before Star Wars: The Last Skywalker released in theaters.
We are two weeks away from Star Wars: The Last Skywalker and I’m extremely excited. I’ll be seeing it with the family that Saturday. Had you told me when I was younger that we’d have three prequel films, two stand alone films (which are my favorite films of the newer ones), a whole new trilogy, I’d never believe it. Unlike some, I have seen these films as a blessing versus something to complain about. Like the superhero film boom, I see this as the Golden Ticket Moment we wanted since our youth. Does it mean everything is perfect and the films are above criticism? Of course not. There are a few things I don’t like & I’m ok with me not liking everything or needing to feed into the hive mind. However is it enough to take away from my joy of the material or my fandom, not at the slightest
Not only are we getting a new movie, we have The Mandalorian on the Disney+ streaming service. For years I’ve argued that the Star Wars universe was so huge that you can have more stories to be told than just Jedi centered ones. Most times that is what’s given because the assumption is that people only care for the lightsabers and such. At one point a bounty hunter and smuggler centered videogames were teased and both were canceled. Jedi Fallen Order is an amazing game, however you could see that the same high stakes adventure could be done without the Jedi (see The Uncharted series).
Enter The Mandalorian, the Spaghetti Western/Samurai series that we didn’t know we needed. We get a warrior who is traveling from one scenario to another, all the while caring for a 50 year old baby who bears a striking similarity to Jedi Master Yoda. With production values of a film (thank you Disney) and using practical effects, we are put in the world of the “Mando” in a way none of us thought we'd ever see. What I love the most is that while there are Force elements, we aren’t trapped in the Dogma of the Jedi and the non Force Sensitive characters are given then time to shine.
This along with Rogue One are examples of what the Star Wars universe needs for the future. Yes the Force is mighty and powerful. However these are the types of tales that will fully expand the universe beyond Jedi, Lightsabers, and the Skywalker Saga. I’d love to see a story about X-Wing/Tie pilots during the Civil War, a tale of smugglers, even a drama or comedy set in the Star Wars Universe, or a show that mimics a series like Planet Earth, but showcases animals and creatures in the Star Wars universe.
We had a great run of Star Wars material and I’m thankful to have been able to witness it all. Instead of being bitter over what isn’t given to us or griping about how someone “Ruined Star Wars” (the property doesn’t belong to you, just your memories and joy of fandom), I’m going to take all this goodness and hope for much more to come in the future. See you at the movies.