Why George Lucas Retired After Selling “Star Wars”

While the Disney-era of Star Wars has faced its share of criticism, it is fair to say that we are currently in a golden era for the franchise, especially when considering the sheer volume of content being produced. After Disney acquired Lucasfilm, they swiftly rolled out a series of films, including big names like “The Force Awakens” and “Rogue One.” Though some theatrical releases, such as “Solo: A Star Wars Story,” didn’t perform well at the box office, with “Solo” notably flopping, the franchise has found considerable success on streaming platforms. Feeling the competitive heat from Netflix, Disney launched its own streaming service, Disney+, in late 2019.

With the debut of Disney+, “The Mandalorian” was introduced and ushered in a new era for Star Wars. The show has been so successful that soon there will be a Mandalorian and Grogu live-action movie. Following the initial success on Disney+, the Star Wars universe has continued to dominate streaming with acclaimed programs like “Andor” and “The Acolyte.” Beloved characters from George Lucas’ original creations have been revitalized through streaming projects such as “Ahsoka” and “The Book of Boba Fett.” Interestingly, Lucas himself is particularly fond of one Disney-era Star Wars show that might surprise some fans.

While some projects have undoubtedly been better received than others, a wealth of new Star Wars content is better than none at all. Post the release of 2005’s “Revenge of the Sith,” Lucas wasn’t heavily involved in expanding the billion-dollar franchise. Now, however, a new generation of storytellers has the exciting opportunity to bring fresh life and perspectives to the ever-expanding saga.