Why Star Wars might be better as a TV Franchise
By Michel Smith
How many of us can say that we have seen all the Star Wars big-screen projects and TV
adaptations? Most of us have skipped the TV series and watched the trilogy movies. We
also know how that went. The release pattern of the movies and the quality of production
has enraged fans. This is also why there are a lot fewer big-screen projects than the TV
franchise.
Star Wars is an expansive and complex world. Since its increase in 1977 the Star Wars
world has expanded to planets, species, characters, and terrains we can barely remember.
The prequel, original, and sequel trilogy has added further confusion for the viewers because
of no synchronization between the release of the movies and the timeline of events. On the
other hand, the TV adaptations provide comprehensive and in-depth details of the battles
and the Jedi taking back their power.
Fans are more hyped up about the promised TV release of Star Wars: The Bad Batch season 3, and The
Acolyte mystery thriller by Disney Plus later in 2024. Those of us who are waiting for Star
Wars movies. We have a long wait ahead of us. It has been five years since the last release
of the Star Wars sequel trilogy, Rise of the Skywalker. Yet there is no news on any
upcoming movies.
The Big Screen Projects
Fans would naturally gravitate towards the movies because a single Star Wars movie is 2.5
hours. The whole trilogy would take you only 7 to 9 hours to watch. However, the reputation
and the fan’s response to the big-screen projects have not been heartwarming.
There have been instances in the prequel franchise where the main Star Wars events like
the relationship between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker are discussed in detail. The
hypocrisy of the Jedi is explored. The details are too superficial and leave loopholes in the
character dynamics. The prequel second movie is too short and cuts to the third installment
Revenge of the Sith where the Clone Wars is abruptly wrapped up. What?
The only bright side to the franchise movies is the Original Star Wars trilogy released
between the 1970s and 1980s. Where the basic and ground laying plotline of the Star Wars
is discussed. Luke Skywalker overcomes the evil force of his father with his iconic blue
lightsaber and rises against The Empire.
The initial big-screen trilogy is loved by the fans. The production quality including the writing,
scripting, and directing is better than the prequels and the sequels. The later releases are
mostly a production failure.
If you simply want to enjoy the movies then the trilogies are a time well spent. However,
making sense of what you are seeing will simply have you running in circles
The TV Franchise
Despite the never-ending plethora of The Clone Wars 133 episodes, they have received
more appraisal from the audience.
As vast as the Star Wars galaxy is, it needs more episodes to explain the political intrigue,
character development, planetary conflicts, and the wide plotline. The 49 hours of watch will
keep you enchanted with how the galaxy mysteries are solved.
Where did Yoda disappear to? Why did the New Republic suddenly fail? How did the First
Order gain power? What happens to Coruscant now?
A TV franchise is a great idea for explaining the holes in the timeline that the movies have
left behind. The in-depth exploration of the complexities is a huge relief for the fans. The
continuous fight between the Empire and the Alliance makes more sense if you know the
background history.
That is why side galaxy phenomena like The Mandalorian and The Rebels have received
less critique against the 2018 Star Wars Story.
The seven seasons of The Clone Wars and the Dave Filoni animated adaptations
Resistance, The Bad Batch, and Tales of the Jedi have added more exciting plots to the Star
Wars main timeline. His live-action work is widely appreciated by the Clone Wars fans.
Not to mention, the Star Wars TV franchise has cleared the air on the basic plots between
who stands with evil and who does not the selfless and selfish characters. All thanks to
works like Ahsoka and The Rebels.
Most of all, the plot timeline in the TV franchise is straightforward and in chronological order.
The month-by-month release has kept the audience connected to their favorite space opera
franchise. Also, it has for the first time since the release of Star Wars 1977 straightened the
order of the galaxy’s events.
Conclusion
While there have been perks to the movies their production quality has brought the hype
down to a disappointing level. Yet we cannot deny the credit of main world building to the
Star Wars trilogies.
However, the widespread Star Wars world is more suitable for the TV franchise. It is hard to
keep up with the main releases then the side releases and then the sub releases. So a
synchronized TV franchise with ordered episodes explaining the fantasy galactic world in
detail is a much greater idea!