10 Valuable Lessons Star Wars Can Learn from Mistakes in 2024 to Create a Brighter Future

Star Wars has established itself as one of the most iconic and cherished franchises globally since its inception in 1977. However, the blunders made by the franchise in 2024 highlight the urgent need for strategic reforms to ensure a prosperous future for both Star Wars films and television series. While this past year saw the release of various Star Wars TV shows, it can still be considered a subdued year regarding major announcements or projects in the pipeline.

Despite opinions suggesting otherwise, this doesn’t equate to an outright failure of the franchise. Nevertheless, 2024 did witness several significant missteps, with many of these mistakes illustrating ongoing patterns seen in recent years. To capitalize on valuable lessons from this year, here are ten essential takeaways for the future of Star Wars.

1. Animated Shows Need A Major Comeback

A Legacy of Animated Excellence

Star Wars ventured into 2024 with new animated offerings, such as the canon series Star Wars: The Bad Batch Season 3 and Star Wars: Tales of the Empire. However, these releases surprised fans who anticipated a second season of Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi. Notably, while LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy also premiered, it was disconcerting to see no forthcoming animated projects officially announced.

The only confirmed titles inviting anticipation are Ahsoka Season 2 and Andor Season 2. Fans await announcements during Star Wars Celebration 2025, but it’s unclear whether future projects will embrace animation or remain focused on live-action adaptations. While both the Star Wars and Marvel franchises have achieved significant success with live-action, omitting animated content would be a disappointment for many devoted fans.

Numerous fan-favorite characters originated from animated shows, with iconic series like Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels illustrating the potential of this medium. Strong characters like Ahsoka Tano and Ezra Bridger owe their existence to these animated series. As 2025 approaches, it’s crucial that Star Wars embraces the value of animated storytelling, exploring narratives involving beloved characters that would face challenges in live-action portrayals, such as Leia Organa.

2. Genuine Separation From The Skywalker Saga

Understanding the End of the Skywalker Saga

With the conclusion of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalkerthe implications of this declaration remain murky. It seems that the Skywalker family and their narrative arc should no longer dominate the franchise’s storytelling. Contrary to this notion, the legacy of the Skywalkers continues to resurface, perpetuating confusion. The showcasing of Rey adopting the Skywalker name in The Rise of Skywalker suggests that the legacy may indeed carry on. Furthermore, rumors have emerged about Rey leading her own movie, which casts further doubt on the authenticity of the saga’s termination.

As new trilogies are discussed, possibly including Episodes 10-12, the line between old and new narratives blurs. The continuous presence of legacy characters like Luke, Leia, and Anakin in recent projects adds to the disarray. The franchise must unequivocally clarify its path going forward to alleviate the growing confusion surrounding the concept of the Skywalker storyline coming to a close.

3. Consistency Is Key

Navigating Uncertainty in Future Releases

Over the years, numerous Star Wars film announcements have caused excitement among fans, yet the distinction between delayed projects, those canceled, and new confirmations has become increasingly convoluted. A notable example is Rey’s movie—rumored to be titled Star Wars: New Jedi Order—which has garnered much speculation but remains ambiguous. With the emergence of Kinberg’s trilogy, questions abound about the direction of Rey’s own cinematic journey.

In a similar vein, many upcoming projects—including Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi and a highly anticipated Mandalorian movie—remain in limbo regarding their schedules. This atmosphere of uncertainty ultimately detracts from the franchise, sparking heated debates about preferred storylines, often leading to detrimental speculation among fans.

4. Star Wars Celebration Is Essential

Reviving Fan Energy Through Celebration

Since its inception in 1999, Star Wars Celebration has served as a cornerstone event for maintaining fandom enthusiasm. However, 2024’s absence of this gathering left a noticeable vacuum for diehard fans, especially following the vibrant sessions held in London in 2023 and the much-anticipated return in Japan for 2025. The expectation was that major announcements would occur during Disney’s D23 event, but many fans were left disillusioned by the scant updates provided.

5. Prioritizing Compelling Narratives Over Mystery

Moving Beyond Plot Twist Reliance

Despite mixed reviews, The Acolyte was generally well-received, showcasing extraordinary performances. Nonetheless, the negativity directed towards it was unwarranted and reflective of broader concerns involving Star Wars’ over-dependence on plot twists, which is becoming repetitive. The franchise has historically thrived on revelations; however, it risks alienating the audience by solely focusing on surprises.

6. Manage Spoilers Carefully

Learning from Recent Spoiler Mishaps

Inadvertent spoilers—for instance, the plot twist revealing that Mae and Osha were twins—emerged even before The Acolyte premiered. Such slip-ups must be avoided, as leading fan speculation prior to release creates unnecessary tension. Star Wars has to prioritize secrecy; mishaps, like Jude Law’s accidental reveal about his character in Skeleton Crew, need to be addressed promptly.

7. Invest in Original Stories

Committing to Fresh Narratives

The Mandalorian has set a precedent by successfully transitioning from a TV series to a feature film. This accomplishment highlights that original stories in the Star Wars universe can indeed thrive. However, the franchise appears hesitant to pursue novel narratives, as seen through the cancellation of promising projects like The Acolyte.

8. Defend Your Cast

Taking a Stand Against Online Harassment

Star Wars has faced intense criticism for years, and unfortunately, the vitriol directed at actors, particularly women of color, has persistently escalated. While figures like Ewan McGregor have defended colleagues, like Moses Ingram, the franchise itself has remained largely silent. It’s imperative for Star Wars to adopt a robust stance to protect its actors from unjust attacks, ensuring a safe and supportive environment in the fandom.

‘Star Wars’ actor Ewan McGregor recorded a video message defending his ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ co-star Moses Ingram from racist trolls. ‘If you’re sending her bullying messages, you’re no Star Wars fan in my mind,’ McGregor said. ‘There’s no place for racism in this world.’ pic.twitter.com/j58VEJUvnt — NowThis Impact (@nowthisimpact) June 2, 2022

9. The Need to Stop Trying to Please Everyone

Prioritizing Strong Stories Over Fan Approval

Star Wars has historically struggled with the desire to cater to every segment of its fan base, leading to inconsistent storytelling outcomes. The cancellation of The Acolyte serves as a poignant example, as the decision seems to align more with appeasing dissenting voices than honoring those who embraced its narrative. The pursuit of universal satisfaction will invariably result in failure.

10. Address the Nostalgia Problem

The Challenge of Nostalgia

The intense nostalgia surrounding the original trilogy continues to hinder Star Wars’ potential for innovation. While the original films will always be classics, ongoing attempts to tether new narratives to the Skywalkers stifle progress and creativity—contradicting George Lucas’ vision for the franchise. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story exemplifies a successful blend of nostalgia with original storytelling, thriving through its robust characterization, a new plot trajectory, and fresh faces.

Shifting away from heavy reliance on nostalgia is crucial for the franchise’s evolution. By embracing innovation and storytelling freedom, Star Wars can cultivate a future that resonates with diverse audiences while still nodding to its rich heritage. Moving forward, if Star Wars takes one lesson from its mistakes in 2024, let it be the importance of addressing and overcoming its nostalgia problem to pave the way for an exciting new era.