Star Warshas become one of the most prominent and beloved franchises in the world since it began in 1977, butbased on the mistakes the franchise made in 2024, these steps must be taken to secure a better futureforStar Warsmovies and TV shows.Star Warsdid have several new releases this year, all of them TV shows. Even so, it was a relatively quiet year for the franchise, particularly when it came to news ofupcomingStar Warsshows.
While this doesn’t reflect ‘failure’ for the franchise—despite plenty of discourse to the contrary—there were a number of misstepsStar Warsmade this year. Concerningly, many of these missteps can very easily be repeated in the future, and some have even become patterns in recent years. There are pivotal lessons to be learned from these issues, and these 10 are the most important forStar Warsto learn based on the mistakes the franchise made in 2024.
10Animated Shows Need A Major Comeback
Some Of Star Wars' Best TV Shows Have Been Animated
In 2024,Star Warsreleased several animated shows, including the canon showsStar Wars: The Bad Batchseason 3 andStar Wars: Tales of the Empire, which surprised audiences who were expectingStar Wars: Tales of the Jediseason 2.Star Warsalso released the non-canon but absolutely delightfulLEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy. Shockingly, though,there are no upcoming animatedStar Warsshows currently confirmed.
At present, the only confirmed shows areAhsokaseason 2 andAndorseason 2. Presumably,Star Warswill announce a host of new shows at Star Wars Celebration 2025, but it remains to be seen whether those shows will be animated or live-action.Star Warsseems to be favoring live-action shows at the moment, as is the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and while both have found major success with their live-action shows, it would be incredibly disappointing forStar Warsto steer away from animated shows in the future.
It would be incredibly disappointing forStar Warsto steer away from animated shows in the future.
Some ofStar Wars’best TV showshave been animated, includingStar Wars: The Clone WarsandStar Wars Rebels, both of which remain extremely popular. Characters like Ahsoka Tano and Ezra Bridger only exist because of animated shows, in fact. Moving into 2025 and beyond,Star Warshas to recognize that there is still plenty of interest in animatedStar Warsshows and take into account the benefits of animation, such as the ability to explore the stories of characters whose live-action recasting would prove controversial, like Leia Organa.
9The Separation From The Skywalker Saga Needs To Be Genuine
It’s Still Unclear What It Means For The Skywalker Saga To Be “Over”
The Skywalker Saga is said to have ended withStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, butit’s never been all that clear what it means for the Skywalker Saga to be over. Presumably, this would mean thatthe Skywalker family treewill no longer be front-and-center inStar Wars, if present at all, and thatStar Wars’episodic structure is either finished or will be done completely separate from Episodes 1-9. Yet, neither of these things has proven true, and there only seems to be more contradictions with this over time.
This idea that the Skywalker Saga had ended was immediately confusing because inThe Rise of Skywalkeritself, Rey adopted the last name Skywalker. This suggested that, even if the bloodline had ended when Ben Solo died, the Skywalker legacy would live on. This became all the more confusing when it was announced that Rey would be getting her ownStar Warsmovie, suggesting the Skywalker story would continue after all. Now, with Simon Kinberg’s trilogy evidently in the works—and rumors that Rey will be involved—this is all the more confusing.
It also isn’t yet confirmed if this trilogy will be Episodes 10-12, but if so, this has only further contradicted the notion that the Saga is over.Luke, Leia, and Anakin have also continued to appear inStar Warsshows, making this even more confusing. As recently as last year withAhsoka, the Skywalkers were still crucial.Star Warsmust address this moving forward, because the lack of clarity will only become increasingly frustrating.
8Consistency With Upcoming Shows And Movies Is Key
It’s Difficult To Keep Track Of What Is Delayed, Canceled, And Confirmed
There have been a number ofupcomingStar Warsmoviesannounced in recent years, butit’s becoming more and more difficult to sort out what has been delayed, what is canceled, and what is confirmedto be coming down the line. Rey’sStar Warsmovie, rumored to be titledStar Wars: New Jedi Order, is a great example of this. It seemed certain this movie was in the works, with Daisy Ridley sharing updates in various interviews, even if the progress was slow-going. Now, with Kinberg’s trilogy, it’s unclear whether that movie will come out after all.
Rey’s movie is also far from the only one that has an uncertain future.
The rumored title ofNew Jedi Ordersuggested Rey would be establishing and leading her own Jedi Order, but she is supposedly going to have an ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi role’ in this new trilogy, which sounds quite unlike the leader of the Jedi Order. Rey’s movie is also far from the only one that has an uncertain future. The timeline forStar Wars: Dawn of the Jedi(also a rumored title), Dave Filoni’s Mandalorian movie, and Taika Waititi’sStar Warsmovie, among others, all remain unclear.
This uncertainty and speculation will only hurtStar Wars, though. It’s led to heated debates about what is coming out and what ‘deserves’ to come out, which has often taken the form of some in the fanbase celebrating the possibility that Rey’s movie will be canceled. If the franchise is clearer about what is confirmed and what the rollout schedule more or less is, it would serve the franchise and the fanbase much better.
The future ofStar Warsshows is similarly unclear, as it remains unknown whetherThe Mandalorian & Groguis a replacement forThe Mandalorianseason 4 or if that season is still coming.
7Star Wars Celebration Is Essential
Without This Massive Event, 2024 Felt Very Thin For Star Wars
Star Wars Celebration began in 1999, and while the massive event hasn’t taken place every year since,2024 proved thatStar Warsneeds Star Wars Celebration to keep enthusiasm in the fanbase alive. Star Wars Celebration was on hiatus this year, after taking place in London in 2023 and before its return in Japan in 2025. Because of that break, many assumed that Lucasfilm would use Disney’s massive annual event D23 to announce major updates.
Shockingly, though, there were very fewStar Warsreveals at D23this year. At the event,Star Wars: Skeleton Crew’sfirst trailer was released, which had long been expected, andLEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxyalso had a trailer debut. Beyond those two trailers, there were only confirmations thatThe Mandalorian & Groguis in production and that Orson Krennic and K-2SO will be inAndorseason 2. With so little shared at D23 and no Star Wars Celebration, the future ofStar Warsfelt precariously unclear.
6Mystery Is Good, But Brilliant Stories Are Better
Star Wars' Focus Shouldn’t Be On Plot Twists Every Time
Despitebacklash and controversy aboutThe Acolyte, the show was a genuinely enjoyable watch, and the actors' performances were brilliant. It certainly wasn’t without its faults—no show is—but it largely did not deserve the hate it got, and the actors and creators certainly didn’t deserve the vitriol spewed at them online.What issues there were withThe Acolytewere symptomatic of issues seen across the board inStar Warsof late. Namely,Star Warshas become far too reliant upon plot twists, and it’s getting quite old.
Star Warshas become far too reliant upon plot twists, and it’s getting quite old.
Star Warsis a franchise known for its plot twists, in large part becauseThe Empire Strikes Backchanged Hollywoodwith the reveal that Darth Vader was really Luke Skywalker’s father. It’s a bit overdone at this point, though, andThe Acolytewas proof of that. Even before the show was released, it was clear it would be chock-full of plot twists. This ended up including that Mae was really a twin with Osha, Qimir was the Sith Lord, Mae had been framed by the Jedi, Osha turned to the dark side, and Plagueis was there all along.
The biggest shame here is thatThe Acolytehad incredible potential. It was set in an era oftheStar Warstimelinethat hadn’t yet been explored on-screen, it introduced a host of brand-new characters who felt genuinely original, and its creator was a fan ofStar WarsLegends. Nevertheless, like so manyStar Warsprojects, it was simply too focused on plot twists and surprising the audience.
5Star Wars Has To Watch Its Own Spoilers
As mentioned, Mae and Osha being twins (rather than Mae being just one character) was a major plot twist inThe Acolyte, butthat plot twist was actually revealed before the show even premiered. There was a slip-up, wherein Osha’s name appeared in the captions of a trailer, and rumors immediately began flying that Osha was a different character—Mae’s twin. Obviously, those rumors were ultimately proven true.
Jude Law unwittingly revealed the true identity of hisSkeleton Crewcharacter in an interview.
The Acolyteis far from the only example ofStar Warsmaking odd mistakes that spoil upcoming shows recently, though. A video of upcoming Disney projects was leaked early, for example, and that video contained never-before-seen footage fromAndorseason 2. Even more recently, Jude Law unwittingly revealed the true identity of hisSkeleton Crewcharacter in an interview withComicBook.com, but the entire fanbase thankfully missed it.As a franchise that prioritizes secrets, surprises, and plot twists,Star Warshas to get this issue under control.
4Original Stories CAN Sell, But The Franchise Must Invest In Them
Star Wars Seems Too Quick To Give Up Lately
The Mandalorianhas become so popular that it will beStar Wars’very first show to make the jump from the small screen to the big screen,proving that original stories can work inStar Wars. One major problem in the franchise has long been learning to let go, as many shows and movies have still felt too tied to the original trilogy and/or the Skywalkers more specifically.The Mandalorianhas done a brilliant job of standing on its own two feet, even with brief cameos from Luke Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano.
Star Warsseems hesitant to try this again, though, which is really a shame.The Acolyte’scancelationis a prime example of this. Although the show had potential, and many were hoping for a season 2,Star Warsshut it down, presumably scared off by some of the backlash. To truly move forward and find success,Star Warshas to get comfortable with the idea that original stories can work if the franchise will truly commit to and stand behind them.
To truly move forward and find success,Star Warshas to get comfortable with the idea that original stories can work if the franchise will truly commit to and stand behind them.
3Star Wars Has To Defend Its Actors
For Too Long, Star Wars Has Been Silent While Its Actors Are Attacked
Star Warshas experienced intense backlash for decades. Actors fromStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menaceknow this all too well, especially Ahmed Best, who played Jar Jar Binks, and Jake Lloyd, who played young Anakin Skywalker. Unfortunately,this issue with vitriol from the fanbase hasn’t improved with time, and it has taken on a much nastier edge of late because of the prominence of social media.
It has taken on a much nastier edge of late because of the prominence of social media.
It’s also critical to note, these attacks, especially online, tend to happen along gendered and racial lines, with women of color inStar Warsshows and movies specifically targeted. This was true for Kelly Marie Tran, who played Rose Tico inStar Wars: The Last JediandThe Rise of Skywalker, and for Moses Ingram, who played Reva Sevander inObi-Wan Kenobi. The bullying and harassment of Moses Ingram was so bad, in fact, that Ewan McGregor himself took to social media to say enough is enough.
Sadly,Star Warshas done little to protect its actors in recent years. While McGregor went to bat for Moses Ingram, the franchise stayed largely silent on the topic. The same happened when the stars ofThe Acolyte, especially Amandla Stenberg, who played Osha and Mae, were attacked. Several actors from that show, including Jodie Turner-Smith, who played Mother Aniseya, were vocal about the lack of support from the franchise.
Star Warshas no choice but to take a stand on this moving forward. If the franchise wants actors—especially actors who have marginalized identities—to continue to have an interest inStar Warsroles, then the people at the top must make it clear that they will be protected. So far, the franchise disappointingly has yet to show that.
2Star Wars Can’t Please Everyone, And Trying To Pleases No One
Star Wars Needs To Abandon Attempts To Make Everyone Happy
In addition to issues with staying silent whenStar Wars’actors need support,Star Warshas struggled this year (and earlier) with attempts to please everyone. Yet again, the best example of this issue in 2024 isThe Acolyte. One part of the fanbase was loudly opposed toThe Acolytefor myriad reasons, some of them already mentioned. Although the exact reasonThe Acolytewasn’t renewed for a second season hasn’t been confirmed, presumably, the outcry about the show influencedStar Wars’decision not to renew.
Yet, withStar Warsgiving that side of the fanbase what they wanted, the fans who did like the show were crushed and angry that the show was effectively being canceled.In the end, no one—includingStar Wars—won. Trying to please everyone will ultimately please no one, and that is precisely what happened withThe Acolyte.Star Warsmust prioritize putting out great stories, defending its actors, and sticking to a clear plan. While that will inevitably involve backlash, the franchise can’t continue to be so inconsistent and ignore larger issues.
Trying to please everyone will ultimately please no one, and that is precisely what happened withThe Acolyte.
1Star Wars Must Fix Its Nostalgia Problem
The Single Biggest Issue In Star Wars Today Is The Intense Nostalgia Driving The Franchise
The originalStar Warstrilogy will always be amongStar Wars’best movies, and those stories and the actors will remain beloved classics. However,Star Warsand the fans both have to learn how to let go of the original trilogy and the intense nostalgia permeating the franchise. The efforts byStar Warsto constantly tie into the Skywalkers and/or the other stories of the Jedi and the Sith (including Palpatine) and the constant outcry from the fanbase thatStar Warsis ‘ruined’ with each new change are going to prevent innovation—the very thing George Lucas wanted forStar Wars.
Cameos, Easter eggs, and even direct overlap with some of these stories are all welcome, but they cannot come at the expense of progress.Rogue One: A Star Wars Storyshould be the exampleStar Warslooks to when it comes to this problem.Rogue Onehad its connections to the Skywalker Saga through the Death Star and even Darth Vader cameos, but it was still its own story, and it primarily focused on brand-new characters. This movie was also quite successful, and it led to the spin-off showAndor, which has also proven increasingly popular since its 2022 release.
There would undoubtedly be resistance to this model, but it would helpStar Warsmove forward given the difficulties in recent years. In fact, this approach would address many of the mistakes from 2024 by making a clean break from the Skywalker Saga, establishing more consistency withStar Wars’plans, and prioritizing and defending original stories. It would also mean embracing that not everyone is going to be happy. IfStar Warstakes only one lesson away from the mistakes of 2024, hopefully, it will be that the franchise must address the rampant nostalgia problem it currently faces.
