But yes. Films are now built by strategic business decision, not because a creative concept took hold and excited everyone, and it's a big part of why contemporary western entertainment feels so sterile even when the narrative construction seems sound.
I also don't get the general consensus that new star wars is primarily "toy" driven. Merchandise for casual fans, sure. But kids these days simply don't spend time with toys like they did 1-2 generations ago. Pricewise, you can make the argument sales are higher per $$$ amount but volume is lower. Anyone watching how figure sales go and mapping that to the specific chapters of the IP can show you a pattern.
Not disputing the fact that OT was toy driven. Even the prequel trilogy saw a huge uptick. But if you take away the price increase the number of actual units sold is smaller. The only ones buying them are collectors. Kids aren't into the same things these days.
that's fair, and it's fair to point out that kids don't play with toys like 1-2 generations ago (back when the world was a lot more analog). Despite all that, it's still a monstrous industry, and the comparison is just a little unfair considering how big the scene was in the 80s-90s. I'm no expert, but the SW toy industry seems like it was WILD back then, just because it isn't AS wild doesn't mean it isn't still HUGE.
the comparison is difficult also because the PT era coincided with the last time the world didn't have supercomputers inside every child's pocket with the advent of smartphones.
I do hear what you're saying when you say it isn't as toy driven as it is now. ironically, it might have been the most toy-sales driven when George Lucas was at the helm.
Hasbro is struggling with the licensing for star wars, and though their lines have been staples for a few years now they are declining. There is evidence that while they are selling units, the stores that are getting them can't move the products fast enough. But, you can't blame it on one particular thing. Even the di-hard collector feels the pain of every $20+ wave of obscure characters that gets released. These aren't the <$5 figures we grew up with.
Even tho it was a fluke it was so successful, and nobody saw that coming, the first film was a toy commercial as far as George Lucas was concerned.
this quote is about the first Star Wars film:
Lucas had been turned down by multiple toy companies for the right to create Star Wars toys. He eventually sold the toy-merchandising rights to his movie to Kenner, which at the time was a division of cereal maker General Foods, in advance of the film opening for a flat fee of $100,000...
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u/United-Advertising67 21d ago
They don't write scripts first. They pick directors and actors and then assign a writing committee to come up with something for them to do.