tech
January 30, 2026
This isn’t the film you are looking for: the Star Wars franchise is hamstrung by a massive identity crisis
The space opera to end them all once blasted everything in its path. But a muddled approach has led to indecision and paralysis
TL;DR
- Star Wars has shifted from its original pulpy space adventure appeal to a more muddled and indecisive franchise.
- Director Taika Waititi's Star Wars film, first announced six years ago, shows little progress, with its status described as "still somewhat alive."
- Other potentially revived projects include a Lando Calrissian movie and a script for a "Hunt for Ben Solo" film.
- The New Jedi Order film announced in 2023, with Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy directing and Daisy Ridley's Rey as the central character, faces uncertainty, with reports suggesting Ridley may not return.
- The upcoming film Star Wars: Starfighter, starring Ryan Gosling, will reportedly feature no legacy characters.
- The transition of The Mandalorian & Grogu to the big screen is seen by some as an attempt to artificially create theatrical relevance from streaming success.
- Lucasfilm is perceived as having an identity crisis, unsure of what Star Wars should be or where it should go.
- The franchise is described as being paralyzed by audience expectations, struggling to balance comfort, novelty, and outrage, and often disappointing fans.
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