Brace yourselves, “Star Wars” followers, because the period of sequel trilogy nostalgia is upon us. It isn’t as if Lucasfilm or Disney has formally introduced an official marketing campaign to capitalize on fondness for “The Pressure Awakens,” “The Final Jedi,” and “The Rise of Skywalker,” however the newest enjoyable new trailer for “The Mandalorian and Grogu” features a shot that serves as a little bit of a marker for a turning level inside this storied franchise. Prefer it or not, we’re about to enter a interval of nostalgia for a few of the most controversial blockbusters in current reminiscence.
Lucasfilm
As fairly a couple of folks have identified on-line, the opening shot of the brand new trailer (above) options some X-wings flying by means of a moderately orange sky. That is very paying homage to a shot from “The Pressure Awakens” that sees some TIE fighters flying in opposition to an orange sky on the best way to Maz Kanata’s palace. That shot is, itself, one thing of an homage by J.J. Abrams to “Apocalypse Now.” Whether or not director Jon Favreau is referencing Episode VII or “Apocalypse Now” is considerably irrelevant.
What’s related is the truth that this does evoke a connection to “The Pressure Awakens,” which is now a decade previous. To many, it could really feel like simply yesterday, however by way of nostalgia cycles, a decade is not far off from how these items usually run. The “Star Wars” Particular Editions turned generational nostalgia into field workplace gold in 1997. That was simply 14 years after “Return of the Jedi” wrapped up the unique trilogy and 20 years after “A New Hope” kicked off the whole enterprise.
Like it or hate it, sequel trilogy nostalgia was at all times going to come back for us. However on the finish of the day, it is tough to argue that that is inherently a nasty factor.
The nostalgia cycle has caught as much as Star Wars: The Pressure Awakens
Let’s rewind the clock a bit. George Lucas actually ignored warnings concerning the “Star Wars” prequels destroying the franchise. “The Phantom Menace” was a huge hit in 1999, however 2002’s “Assault of the Clones” was much less so and stays one of many worst-reviewed motion pictures within the collection all these years later. On the time, 2005’s “Revenge of the Sith” was broadly thought to be an enormous step up however nonetheless nowhere close to the originals.
It is unattainable to disclaim that, of their day, the prequels have been maligned. There isn’t any two methods about it. Then one thing began to occur. The animated collection “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” premiered in 2008. Regardless that Lucas had a tough time promoting “The Clone Wars” to Cartoon Community, it grew to become a cornerstone of the fandom because it rolled on. By the point Disney bought Lucasfilm in 2012, it would not have been tough to argue that “The Clone Wars” was a crown jewel of the acquisition, including a whole lot of worth to the franchise.
For a sure era of followers, this grew to become “Star Wars.” For that era, viewing these motion pictures as maligned “lesser than” entries within the canon of a galaxy far, far-off is nothing shy of blasphemy. That is an enormous purpose why “Revenge of the Sith” grew to become a field workplace hit yet again final yr with the twentieth anniversary re-release. For these youthful followers, it was an enormous deal. “The Phantom Menace” had a equally huge twenty fifth anniversary re-release in 2024.
By 2015, when “The Pressure Awakens” was popping out, we have been already seeing loads of indicators of nostalgia for the prequel trilogy, only a decade and alter after the discharge of “Revenge of the Sith.” Does that timeline sound acquainted?
The Star Wars sequel trilogy belongs to a special era
The “Star Wars” prequel trilogy redemption arc is full at this level. It was pushed by followers who grew up with these motion pictures. They grew to become adults who felt nostalgic for the characters and tales they grew up with. Equally, we now have people who find themselves firmly of their 20s who have been a lot youthful when the sequel trilogy first got here out. In spite of everything, it has been practically seven years since “The Rise of Skywalker” delivered probably the most difficult $1 billion hit in historical past.
The complication stems from the truth that it was a success however needed to function a response to the divisive nature of “The Final Jedi.” Setting all of that apart, these twentysomethings at the moment are going to be taking a look at any new “Star Wars” motion pictures by means of a sure nostalgic lens. Simply as we should not choose the prequel period fandom, it feels flawed to guage any professional fandom that arises from inevitable sequel period nostalgia.
Disney scrapped a “Star Wars” film centered on Kylo Ren titled “The Hunt for Ben Solo.” Followers later campaigned to get it made, even going as far as to take out billboards. There are very actual, very devoted followers of the sequels and the characters on the heart of these motion pictures. Folks love Rey. Folks love Kylo Ren. Folks love Finn.
“The Pressure Awakens” and the remainder of the sequel trilogy belong to a special era. For filmmakers like Jon Favreau to harken again to them within the right here and now solely is smart. Sure followers will moan and groan about it, however we will not faux prefer it’s too quickly or completely out of bounds. It’s unavoidable. It’s future.
“The Mandalorian and Grogu” hits theaters on Could 22, 2026.
