Does Star Wars need saving?

J.C. Macek III asks, “Can Star Wars be saved?”

I didn't think it was a franchise that needed saving — one so-so box office return hardly spells inevitable doom, to my mind — but it's entirely possible I'm wrong.

Star Wars is a massive intellectual property — not counting the movies, there are several TV series, voluminous (and on-going) comic book runs, video games and, of course, an expanding library of novels set in the expanded universe.

The catch to its saleability, however, is that its appeal is almost strictly North American. Unlike its rival/bedmate, the Marvel Comics Universe, the international audience for the Star Was Universe is scant to the point of insignificance. So if a Star Wars film tanks at home, it tanks — period.

That means Star Wars is losing its audience.

Disney does not want that.

Macek's screed is predominantly a rant — but an exceedingly well-informed rant. The points he scores are criticisms that never would have occurred to me because I haven't read more than a handful of the expanded universe novels. In a throw-away comment in my review of The Last Jedi I said, “If you have a jones for thematic exploration, you'll love it; if consistent world-building is more your thing, this movie will make you crazy.”

To wit.

Continuity and consistency are a very big deal to Macek, and I think his is a voice that ought to be considered by the suits at the whiteboard. I flip-flop rather egregiously on the issue of continuity. If the visual panache is sweeping enough and delivers emotional punch, I'll give continuity concerns a pass. If the heartstrings aren't tugged, I suddenly get tetchy about continuity.

I'm a hypocrite, in other words (what else is new?). But follow the money. Listen to Macek.

Also, listen to SWU continuity cop Leland Chee. Keep this guy in the boardroom and mebbe ask him which of the expanded universe properties resonate (hey, you recently acknowledged the value of The Clone Wars — now that's what I'm talking about!). Those are the elements, I would think, that you want to bring in and nurture.