Lucasfilm has always been and always will be closely associated with Star Wars. The franchise was the first-ever global movie mega-franchise and is one of the most iconic stories in history. Star Wars has been a success for nearly half a century and has earned its place in the hearts of millions. It's no secret that Lucasfilm is desperate to put Star Wars back in theaters as soon as possible, and with the recent announcement of three new films set in a galaxy far, far away films, Star Wars is going to be Lucasfilm's main priority.
However, Lucasfilm has many more movies that are just as good, if not better, than Star Wars. Unfortunately, they're nowhere near as popular, but Lucasfilm has continued to try and tell other stories. Recently we saw the Willow series on Disney+ and heard of the rumored Indiana Jones prequel series also in development for Disney+. However, both have been impacted by the Walt Disney Company's demand that Lucasfilm should focus completely on Star Wars. So the Indiana Jones series was canceled, along with all hope for other adventures for the studio.
Lucasfilm has the ability to do so much more than just Star Wars. With plenty of money, skill, and imagination, Lucasfilm should be encouraged to expand beyond a galaxy far, far away. Here's why Lucasfilm shouldn't only focus on Star Wars and should tell new stories alongside their old ones.
Create Better Stories By Moving Beyond Star Wars
Many people know that the movie studio created by the famous/infamous screenwriter and director George Lucas has more than just Star Wars in its catalog, as the beloved saga Indiana Jones and the cult classic Willow were both made by Lucasfilm. Though, that's really all the people know if even that.
Lucasfilm has many classics under its belt, including American Graffiti, Labyrinth, Howard the Duck, and much, much more than just Star Wars. It's hard to believe, but Lucasfilm’s movie record spans from tales about singing fairies inspired by Shakespeare to the real story of the Tuskegee Airmen. All their films are either greatly loved or highly criticized, and there are plenty of hidden gems that have been forgotten despite the impact they have made.
The best example of impact would be THX-1138. His debut feature, George Lucas was impacted more by the film than anyone else, and Lucas influenced the history of cinema forever. Accomplishing a sophisticated presentation about life itself on a very limited budget. It failed upon release, but Lucas didn't stop experimenting there. He went on to make the very first Star Wars movie, now known as A New Hope - an experiment in traditionalist storytelling with modern technology set in an advanced time about classic values. Lucas wouldn't have made it without THX-1138, which is a cult classic now and a Lucasfilm movie even Star Wars haters should watch.
Just as THX-1138 was only a step in the grand scheme of Lucasfilm, so can Star Wars, as the studio can use all that it's learned by creating the most iconic franchise in the world and make even better stories moving forward and truly be a studio for creating art, not just Star Wars.
More Stories Means More Creativity
Of course, as much as we love the heroes and villains and stories of a galaxy far, far away, we must admit that Lucasfilm is so chained to the franchise (understandably, being the company's bread and butter) that it cannot do anything else. The upcoming Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is Lucasfilm's first non-Star Wars film in almost a decade and certainly the most significant project outside of Star Wars since the last Indiana Jones. The studio has a lot of value outside Star Wars but does not seem to value anything but the galactic franchise.
Lucasfilm has done almost everything from Marvel comics adaptations to docudramas and documentaries and has much more potential than Star Wars. Take Twice Upon A Time, the live-action animated hidden gem, set in a world where dreams and nightmares are made, and two misfits must stop nightmares from coming into reality. Strange and unusual, Twice Upon A Time is a mixed animation film that combines all kinds of various art styles and is like a classic children’s book come to life.
Practically unknown and forgotten, it's the best example of what even a studio with a name-brand worldwide franchise can do when they stop and think about something else for a bit. Of course, Lucasfilm shouldn't stop working on Star Wars. Still, it should stop and allow itself to create more stories, different stories, and creative stories because while Lucasfilm will be forever remembered for Star Wars, it can experiment with its success and discover new ways to make art.