On May 4th remains a special date for fans of the saga created by George Lucas. The globally recognized reference, “May the Fourth” (pronounced “May the Force”), celebrates a franchise that is slowly approaching its 50th anniversary this year. Decades of passion, but also of reflections and sometimes, weariness. As “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu” is set to be released on May 20th, the franchise is entering a new era, seven years after the release of its last film.
Since “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” in 2019, the franchise has been scarce in cinemas. Despite a strong box office performance (over one billion dollars), the mixed critical and public reception marked a turning point. Meanwhile, the series “The Mandalorian” quickly grabbed fans’ attention, almost relegating cinema to the background.
With iconic characters like Grogu, the series has revitalized interest in the universe while establishing new consumption habits. “We are in a pivotal period for Star Wars, it has been seven years since we had a film,” analyzes Arnaud Da Costa Pereira, responsible for news at the Star Wars Universe site, which has over 30,000 fans. “In the meantime, we’ve had an incredible number of series with varying quality.”
Context: Fans are eager for the release of the new “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu” and are reflecting on the franchise’s evolution over the years.
Fact Check: “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” was indeed the last film in the Skywalker saga released in 2019.
Fans remain devoted, but in different ways
On the ground, the enthusiasm for Star Wars shows no sign of fading. Benoît Le Goulias, deputy director of Geek Days in Lille this weekend, observes an active community:
“Star Wars is still highly appreciated in pop culture, it is also evident through the merchandising. Despite the fact that the latest trilogy may have been less well-received, I feel that the license has never been healthier, with a growing community.”
“But we must not exhaust the license,” explains the expert, mentioning some criticisms of recent episodes. According to him, “the community will go see the next film regardless. They are not fans of a film but of the universe.”
Competition within the Star Wars universe
For the return of the saga to the big screen with “The Mandalorian & Grogu,” directed by Jon Favreau, the signals are mixed. Initial box office projections in the U.S. suggest a slower start than anticipated. Arnaud Da Costa Pereira attributes this partly to “the accumulation of series—he audience feels like they have to do their homework before going to see a movie.” Overall, this avid fan of the saga feels that “pop culture cinema is not in as good shape as before.”
Victor Dumery, a fan for 25 years, also notes the increasing complexity of the universe, which can make it challenging for new viewers to enter. However, he believes that each new film is an event, emphasizing the strong connection between Star Wars and the big screen.
Fans remain demanding
One thing is certain—the fans’ expectations remain high. “We have a community that closely follows everything,” points out Arnaud Da Costa Pereira. While the series have enriched the universe, they have also caused divisions. Despite the challenges, it’s hard to imagine a total disappearance from theaters. “The fans will go see the film, but without huge expectations,” suggests Arnaud Da Costa Pereira.
Disney’s strategy for Star Wars seems to be evolving, with more controlled budgets and the presence of big stars like Ryan Gosling in the film planned for 2027. “Perhaps the Star Wars franchise alone is no longer enough to attract audiences.”
