Former employees criticize the theme park's focus on the sequel trilogy instead of original characters
Category: Arts & Culture
The Walt Disney Company is grappling with a growing backlash over its "Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge" theme park attractions, which many believe have strayed too far from the beloved original trilogy that defined the franchise. After investing billions of dollars in the design and construction of these immersive lands based on the fictional world of Batuu, Disney is now reconsidering its approach under new leadership.
Initially, Disney aimed to create a vibrant experience centered around the latest trilogy, which featured characters like Rey and Kylo Ren. This strategy was largely influenced by former Lucasfilm head Kathleen Kennedy, who advised then-CEO Bob Iger to focus on new stories rather than the iconic characters that fans cherished. "There are way more Disney Star Wars stories ahead of us than behind us," Kennedy reportedly argued, leading Disney to invest heavily in the sequel trilogy's narrative.
As time has passed, the reception of the sequel trilogy has been lukewarm at best, with many fans expressing disappointment. Critics argue that Disney miscalculated the cultural significance of the original characters, leading to a disconnect with the audience. Ian Miller, a writer for OutKick, noted that Disney's decision to focus on newer characters has resulted in a lack of engagement from fans, stating, "Star Wars has never meant less in the national conversation."
In a recent announcement, Disney's new CEO Josh D'Amaro revealed plans to incorporate characters from the original trilogy, including Han Solo, Princess Leia, and Luke Skywalker, into Galaxy's Edge. This shift has been interpreted by many as an acknowledgment of the missteps made in the initial planning stages. The addition of John Williams' iconic score from the original films is also part of this strategy, aiming to draw back visitors who felt alienated by the focus on newer characters.
Peachy Keenan, a former Disney employee who was involved in the marketing of Galaxy's Edge, has been vocal about her discontent with the direction the project took. "When I say there was crushing disappointment, almost a feeling of betrayal that the whole thing was on the new IP and not the original IP, I am not exaggerating," she stated on social media. Keenan criticized Disney's decision to invest in the sequel trilogy, arguing that it was an attempt to erase the original characters from fans' memories. "The level of hubris around this is one for the business industry history books," she added.
Keenan's sentiments are echoed by many fans who feel that the sequel trilogy has damaged the legacy of beloved characters. She described the portrayal of Luke, Han, and Leia in the new films as detrimental, stating, "They made a trilogy that destroyed the OG characters." This criticism reflects a broader frustration within the fan community, which has long argued that Disney's approach to Star Wars has overlooked the very elements that made the franchise a cultural phenomenon.
The fallout from this miscalculation extends beyond the films themselves. Keenan pointed out that the repercussions have affected key figures in Disney's leadership, including Kathleen Kennedy, who has since stepped down from her role at Lucasfilm, and former CEO Bob Chapek. She observed, "Result: JJ Abrams’ career was finished as a filmmaker. Rian Johnson was wrecked. Disney movies are garbage."
The recent changes to Galaxy's Edge come as Disney is also facing challenges in its broader Star Wars strategy. Plans for future films featuring characters from the sequel trilogy, including a potential project centered around Rey, are now in doubt. Meanwhile, the company is preparing to release new content, such as "The Mandalorian & Grogu" and "Star Wars: Starfighter," but the excitement surrounding these projects has been tempered by the mixed reception of the sequel trilogy.
As Disney attempts to rectify its course, the company faces the challenge of winning back fans who feel betrayed by the direction taken in recent years. The integration of original trilogy characters into Galaxy's Edge is a step in that direction, but many wonder if it is too little, too late. Keenan expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of these changes, remarking, "And now it’s too late. No one cares that Darth will be walking around again to John Williams' score."