Star Wars: Why Canon Should Belong to the Fans, Not Corporations
Well, Hello There.
You made it.
Good.
Welcome.
I don’t know about you, but 95% of modern media feels hollow now.
I can’t count how many times I’ve sat through the latest Marvel or Star Wars project and just felt… disappointed. What we’re often served is slop.
Soulless.
Sanitized.
Safe.
What happened to the passion and risk that used to fill the pages of Marvel Comics or even the Star Wars animated series? Where is the fire?
The Marvel Effect on Modern Media
It’s tempting to say the problems started with the rise of the MCU. The success of The Avengers and the promise of an interconnected cinematic universe made studios scramble to buy up every recognizable IP in hopes of duplicating that formula.
And I want to believe that’s where it began.
But maybe the issues go deeper.
The MCU succeeded because it mimicked the structure of the comic book industry. Individual stories leading into crossover “event” films — it worked because it was true to its roots. But that structure really only works within the superhero genre.
What happens when you try to replicate that formula with something like Star Wars?
Star Wars Under Disney: What Went Wrong?
We get… this.
When Disney acquired Lucasfilm, they immediately purged decades of storytelling — the Expanded Universe — and labeled it Legends. True, not all EU stories were gold, but many were beloved and meaningful to fans. In their place, Disney offered a new canon that often felt overly corporatized, inconsistent, and disconnected.
Now, to be fair, I’m writing this in 2025 — thirteen years after the Disney acquisition. That gives me some hindsight.
And whether you're a die-hard fan of Disney's Star Wars, or a Lucas-era loyalist, it’s hard to deny that the franchise isn’t where it once was.
By the Numbers: Profit vs. Legacy
Lucasfilm was sold for $4.05 billion in 2012 (about $6 billion today), and by 2024, Disney claimed the franchise had made them $12 billion. That’s a return — but a slow one.
By contrast, The Hollywood Reporter noted that in its first 35 years, Star Wars under George Lucas generated $32 billion. Adjusted for inflation, that’s about $45 billion — or roughly $1.3 billion per year.
Had Disney truly capitalized on the renewed excitement after the sale, they could have done more — a lot more. But instead, they focused on short-term gains and predictable formulas over long-term storytelling and fan loyalty.
The Lost Canon: Legends and the Expanded Universe
Not long ago, Kathleen Kennedy commented that it’s hard to replicate Marvel’s success because Marvel has a deep well of source material.
Ms. Kennedy — you did too.
You just threw it away and called it Legends.
As someone who’s loved Star Wars since I was five, I still hope for greatness with every new release. But more often than not, I return to the Legends novels, the Dark Horse comics, and the classic video games — where writers had the freedom to tell bold, character-driven stories.
Choosing Your Own Canon
That’s why I encourage every fan to choose their own canon.
Don’t let a corporation dictate what stories are “official.” Enjoy what resonates with you. Love what came before. Speak honestly about what doesn’t land — but do it respectfully.
Don’t gatekeep. If a new fan hasn’t read Heir to the Empire or met Mara Jade, send them a link. Buy them a book. Share the passion.
Help foster their love — just like someone did for you.
A Small Hope
Maybe — just maybe — if we keep the stories alive, things can shift again.
I mean hey…
Mara Jade’s lightsaber is at Galaxy’s Edge.
That has to mean something.
Until next time, Lore Lovers.
