The Mandalorian & Grogu is released this week and is set for the lowest opening weekend of any Star Wars film ever. With TV shows also struggling, interest in the franchise is waning.
It has been seven years since the last Star Wars film, The Rise of Skywalker, which earned $1.077bn but only half of what The Force Awakens made. The standalone film Solo also bombed in 2018. Since then, Lucasfilm has focused on TV shows, but interest has declined: Skeleton Crew had the lowest opening ratings for a Star Wars show, and The Acolyte was cancelled after one season.
The Mandalorian & Grogu, a spin-off from the TV series, is predicted to open with just $80m domestically, the lowest for any Star Wars film. Dr Rebecca Harrison suggests the film's niche subject matter may be a problem, as it continues a story from the TV shows, requiring familiarity for investment.
The interconnected Star Wars universe may be a burden for casual viewers. Harrison notes that keeping up with multiple series 'has felt like homework'. In contrast, the standalone series Andor grew its viewership by being accessible to newcomers and offering a prescient critique of authoritarianism without relying on fan service.
