Given the massive popularity of The Mandalorian, it is becoming increasingly clear that the Star Wars franchise is no longer dependent on its less-successful sequel trilogy. For many fans, the recently released cinematic installments (Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker) left something to be desired. Yet the story of a Mandalorian acting as a surrogate father to a powerful Force-sensitive child that looks like a Baby Yoda has reignited passion for the Star Wars universe, and drawn in plenty of new fans along the way.
Disney's acquisition of Lucasfilm in 2012 was confirmed alongside the announcement of a new trilogy of films. Released in 2015, Star Wars: The Force Awakens introduced a new cast of characters and caught up with some old ones, including the original trilogy's legendary trio. The film was met with great commercial success, but the daunting task of following a new generation of heroes while also concluding Luke, Leia, and Han's stories was met with considerable skepticism from the fandom. This concern eventually proved a valid one, as the proceeding films were incredibly divisive, with the end result being a somewhat confusing - albeit fun - mess.
Yet, as with so much within the Star Wars galaxy, there was hope. With the release of The Mandalorian and its near-universal appeal, Disney looks to be deviating from the franchise's film-centric model in favor of something new. Here's why distancing Star Wars from the sequels and embracing elements of The Mandalorian is the best strategy going forward.
Despite the renewed fervor it inspired, Disney's recent most Star Wars trilogy was met largely with disappointment from the fandom. While some found Star Wars: The Force Awakens' nostalgia charming, others thought it to adhered too closely to the plot and characters of the original films. The Last Jedi attempted for take the franchise in a new direction, dispensing with the villain Snoke, asserting that Rey was "no one," and reintroducing Luke Skywalker as a weary and jaded figure questioning the ways of the Jedi. However, many fans thought that these choices were too radical and swung too far away from the Star Wars they grew up with.
Then came The Rise of Skywalker, which spent much of its runtime seemingly trying to undo the events of The Last Jedi, diminishing the Rose Tico character, revealing that Rey was actually a secret Palpatine, and resurrecting the former Emperor as the "big bad" for the third trilogy in a row. While factions of fans may have been satisfied with the trilogy's conclusion, very few were overjoyed with the trilogy as a whole, leaving questions about what was in store for Star Wars' next era. And with a mere 51% on Rotten Tomatoes, it was evident that, for many, The Rise of Skywalker (and perhaps the trilogy) did not clear the nearly unreachable bar it had set for itself.
A month prior to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker's release, Disney+ had already started paving a new and exciting way for Star Wars with The Mandalorian. Created by Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni, the series was shrouded in mystery, with many fans wondering who exactly the story would be following. In a bold departure for a series so preoccupied with the legendary figures who populated the Skywalker Saga, The Mandalorian followed an earth-bound bounty hunter tasked with looking after a Force-sensitive Child. Taking place a few years after Empire Strikes Back, the series could have explored certain in-universe events which led to The Force Awakens, but it became increasingly clear that the creators were more interested in telling a smaller, more intimate story.
The Mandalorian's restraint has likely contributed to its success, both critically and with its wide viewership. By not leaning too far into the Skywalker Saga, the Disney+ show has far more room to breathe and develop as its own story, focusing on parts of the galaxy rarely seen in previous live-action installments. Favreau and Filoni have kept Din Djarin's bond with Grogu central to the story - instantly hooking new and more casual fans - all the while dropping Easter eggs and world-building that cater to those who have seen and read every piece of Star Wars media they can get their hands on. So far, The Mandalorian has successfully walked the finest of lines: one which ultimately develops the world and expands it in new directions without undermining the stories which came before it.
Dave Filoni's idea of detailing the war which took place between Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones and Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith likely paved the way for The Mandalorian's creation. The canonical Clones Wars animated series follows Generals Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi during the years long and galactic-spanning conflict, recontexualizing Anakin's eventual fall to the Dark Side. The Mandalorian has promised to similarly investigate corners of the galaxy so often teased but not ever seen. Season 2 saw the live-action debut of Ahsoka Tano (a major player in Filoni's Clone Wars), whose fate was left unresolved after her appearances in Star Wars: Rebels. With the announcement of Disney+'s Ahsoka series, fans of the popular character may finally learn what the former-Jedi was up to during the events of larger Skywalker Saga.
Likewise, George Lucas refused to answer questions regarding Master Yoda's species, but with the introduction of Grogu, it appears as though fans may learn more of the mysterious creatures, as well. With decades of storytelling possible for Ahsoka, Grogu, and a slew of other Star Wars characters (Boba Fett, Bo-Katan, Thrawn, Ezra Bridger, etc.), creators may well be able to sidestep the sequel trilogy all together, exploring conflicts in other parts of the Galaxy, or else venturing further into the Unknown Regions. Since audiences already have an affinity for these existing characters, perhaps following them will most efficiently and effectively refocus the series, avoiding any messes left by the sequels - at least for now.
The Mandalorian has been one of the most talked-about and universally beloved of all the Star Wars properties in recent years and, by all appearances, Disney and Lucasfilm are attempting to capitalize on its success. With the recent announcement of the many upcoming projects set in the Galaxy Far Far Away (many exploring the gaps between the films), it is clear that the franchise will be expanding in several directions at once. With the stories of so many characters still left untold, perhaps going backwards is the best way to go forwards.
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