Today marks the 12th anniversary of one of the most impactful moments in film history: the sale of Lucasfilm to Disney. When George Lucas handed over the reins to his beloved Star Wars universe in 2012, fans had every reason to expect that Disney’s resources and creativity would bring Star Wars to new heights. But for some, this transition marked the beginning of the franchise’s decline, a departure from the spirit of what made Star Wars an enduring classic.
For fans of the original trilogy and even the often-contested prequels, Star Wars was more than just an intergalactic story—it was a mythic saga with a distinct voice and depth. George Lucas’s vision, for all its quirks, had an emotional core that resonated. But with Disney’s acquisition, the series began to feel increasingly corporate, less risky, and too focused on commercial potential. The sequels introduced new heroes, but they left beloved characters with unsatisfying arcs, particularly Han, Luke, and Leia. These icons, once symbols of hope and redemption, felt sidelined or changed in ways that felt untrue to their original journeys.
The sequels were just the beginning. While the success of “The Mandalorian” brought a glimmer of hope, even this victory has been marred by a flood of new shows, spin-offs, and expanded content. Some argue that, in its attempt to keep Star Wars constantly in the spotlight, Disney has oversaturated the universe, making it feel like any other ongoing franchise instead of the unique, carefully crafted saga it once was.
It’s difficult to predict where Star Wars will go from here, and many fans still find joy in the new content. But for those who view the Disney acquisition as the turning point when Star Wars started to lose its way, this anniversary is bittersweet. What began as a galaxy far, far away has, over the past twelve years, become increasingly close, familiar, and perhaps a bit too predictable.
