The swirling rumors surrounding Kathleen Kennedy's departure as president of Lucasfilm have coalesced into a tornado of retribution. Finally, after the failure and desecration of Indiana Jones, Disney has finally gotten tired of losing money and suffering grievous brand damage, and are ready to lock Kennedy out of the office, regardless of the cost. Part of this rumor storm is the idea that Jon Favreau will be given creative control of Lucasfilm, in her place. Let's take a minute and suppose that all of this is true.
What can Favreau do to save the colossal shipwreck of the Star Wars intellectual property? Are there any fans left, and is there any way to win back the fans that have already left? And even if the fans can be convinced to return, what is left of the narrative that hasn't been permanently tainted by the Woke Years?
Step one, for Favreau, would to put out the very best season of Mandalorian that he possibly could. Despite its ups and downs, this is the series that has kept the Star Wars universe alive through the dark years; the most recent story that is carrying the brand. Don't have it revolve around Bo Katan, but return to the adventures of Din Djarin and Grogu as they walk the earth, and attempt to right the wrongs of the collapsing Empire. Don't try to undo anything from Season 3, but just go on from here, with the politics of Mandalore on the periphery.
On the other hand, I would plan on re-enforcing the ties with Greef Carga and the New Republic patrols. And then, about halfway through the season, I would have a guest appearance by Gina Carano and Bill Burr. If everything is working on this front, I would then leverage this spot into reviving Rangers of the New Republic.
Step Two: The next move for Favreau is to set in motion an animated series featuring Luke, Leia, and Han. This should be set immediately after the events of Return of the Jedi. And it should be the best quality animation and storytelling that Favreau can muster. I would have Mark Hamill on set as a consultant and involved heavily with its development. Even if he can't voice his original character, I would develop for him an additional character that would feature in the series on an on-going basis.
This animated series should feature the best material from the expanded universe. Even going to the extent of bringing on EU authors and creators. This series should be a homage to the original fans, in some sense a love letter to the fans, in another way an apology for everything that was said about them, and an olive branch.
This is not a moment to subvert expectations, or attempt avant-garde storytelling, or bring something new to the universe. Instead, this series should be everything that fans have been expecting for 20 years about what would happen to the original three heroic characters and their supporting ensemble. Somehow, we've never been able to tell this story, mostly because of George. I believe it's time has finally come.
Han and Leia and Luke have led the rebellion that defeated the Empire; what will happen in the aftermath? From the perspective of Leia the diplomat, Luke the Jedi, and Han the scoundrel with his connection to the underworld.
This is a chance to tell the true story of Han and Leia's successful life together. Its Leia's time to take on a more powerful leadership role in the revitalized galactic senate, and for Han to develop a network of traders, smugglers and scoundrels to battle the Hutts and other organized crime figures.
This is a place to develop Luke's deeper understanding of the Force, perhaps by taking on a padawan of his own, and by continuing to interact with Yoda, Ben, and even his father Anakin. Yes, we need to arc toward the Jedi Academy, but also begin to examine the problems of the old Jedi order that led to their downfall.
Step Three: We know that the Ahsoka series is coming out in August. Jon and Dave and all the creatives still left at Disney should take a clear-eyed, unvarnished look at its reception by the fans and learn everything they can from it, completely divorced from The Message. Yes, it has an abundance of female characters, but each of them is well rounded and solid in their own right. If Favreau and Filoni can learn the lessons that the fans can teach them, they will be well-equipped to continue that story line.
This is by far the most controversial of the narratives that are currently under way. And there are still angry fans who will not be kind or patient with a compromised story. Listen to them, learn from them, but do not give complete control to their invective. They are hurt and extremely sensitized to perceived mistreatment of something important to them and are not likely to forgive easily.
And yet if we can manage this series effectively, it does have the potential for immediate and mid-term gain, both creatively and financially. These are good characters and heroic ones. Give them a clear moral motivation, heroic efforts, and reinforce teamwork and striving for the common good and their stories can be well received.
Step Four: Step back from Andor, Dr. Pershing, and all the darker, grittier, unpleasanter sides of Star Wars. There will be time for them in the future, but that is not now. Let them live on their own for a bit.
Step Five: At this moment, say nothing about the sequel trilogy. Don't do anything to ret-con it, but know that nothing that is happening now will head toward that alternate future. The future of Star Wars remains unwritten and now is not a time to focus on the mistakes of the past. Let them sink into the distant past without comment.
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