Every film in the Star Wars franchise holds some merit in one regard or another, but whether their stories all contribute something worthwhile to the universe or not is debatable to fans. Because the original trilogy is so often the series of films that fans enjoy most, many have questioned if it was even worth it to make any of the other movies.
Certainly, with a franchise as large and popular as Star Wars, money is at the forefront of the makers’ minds when creating the six films of the prequel and sequel trilogies. However, there are many elements of these six films that do contribute other essential aspects to the universe, other than just more story. They expand upon the lore, provide new avenues for different people to explore science fiction, and keep the legacy of Star Wars from dying out. That is, perhaps, what some of the creative minds involved in these movies were focused on.
Though the storylines that made up the original trilogy were most preferred among fans, there were also several elements missing from these movies that fans wanted to see more of. Some examples are diversity, new characters, and more empowering female roles. All of these lacking features were then applied to the later films to create a fuller, more rounded world that appealed to a broader audience. Of course, Disney later coming into possession of the franchise was a large part of its revival. It also allowed the franchise to keep producing content that expanded on the universe and kept it relevant.
Adapting Star Wars For An Evolving Culture
If only the original trilogy existed, which was made in the late 70s and early 80s, then the franchise would possibly be much less relevant in today’s pop culture. Younger generations would be less familiar with the franchise and references to it. For several young fans, it was the newer films coming out that ignited their interest in the original trilogy in the first place. There’s certainly no doubt that the franchise would not be able to produce as much merchandise as it does, nor still make as much profit on it, if it weren’t also popular among the youth of today.
This isn’t even considering the several Star Wars Television shows or spin-off movies that also expand upon the universe in different ways. Not only do they add to the greater story, but they also contribute to the appeal to different audiences. The more recent films have made a point to include more characters that are POC and to incorporate more female protagonists into stories, making them more relatable to a wider audience.
It almost doesn’t make sense not to have an inclusive and diverse cast in the Star Wars films, considering that it is set in the future and that it features so many varying species and races of beings. Realistically, if the galaxies of space really possess so many different creatures and beings, there’s no place in it for bigotry. These considerations make the Star Wars universe one that everyone can find some relatable element in. These films are then able to inspire a greater number of the next generation as they see themselves in the characters on screen. This is certainly a feature that the original trilogy lacked.
Maintaining Relevance In A Future World
Beyond the additional shows and new movies, there were also several re-releases of the original trilogy. These were usually created to cater to the video and audio issues as a result of time and technology advancing. The significant advances in technology alone were enough to warrant the prequel and sequel trilogies. The original trilogy, inevitably, had less impressive and less realistic visuals and audio than the most recent trilogy, the sequel. Given that this is a franchise that is centered around the future and the technology of the future, it only makes sense that the technology used to make these films and shows be as advanced as possible.
In part, it is the vast number of stories set in the universe that makes the franchise as impressive as it is. The beauty in sci-fi and any tale set in the future, is that it sets up a multitude of story opportunities. Because there is no way of knowing for certain what the future holds, there are no dates, standards or guidelines for which to hold the story to. As long as human life is still bound to the Earth, Star Wars will likely only continue to add to the ever-expanding storyline– and perhaps even after that.
Regardless of whether Star Wars fans enjoy the content outside of the original trilogy or not, no one can argue that the movies and shows that have come out since then have kept the universe relevant among later generations. Not only that, but it gives pre-existing fans, who have grown up with the films, a way to stay connected to the world that perhaps first ignited their imagination or passion for science fiction. Because the franchise continues to make shows and movies, it continues to be an inspiration for far more than one generation, and it keeps the world alive in the hearts of fans of all ages.