Everybody knows the story by now. Last year the second “Star Wars Story†featuring “Solo†became the least-earning installment of all “Star Wars†films released yet. It didn’t deter Lucasfilm from pushing through with “Episode IX†for this December. The new animated and live-action spinoff series didn’t stop coming either.
Reviewers of “Solo: A Star Wars Story†and some Lucasfilm spokespersons believe that the movie’s substandard performance with audiences was due to a general franchise fatigue. Even actor Mark Hamill, Luke Skywalker himself, is in agreement with this notion. He said as much during his Hollywood Reporter podcast “Awards Chatter.â€
“I’m not gonna tell them (Lucasfilm) how to run their business, but is there a possibility of ‘Star Wars fatigue’? Yeah, I think there is,†remarked Hamill to The Hollywood Reporter. “I’ve experienced it, to a certain degree. But they never listen to my ideas anyway, so who needs ’em?”
“Solo,†initially co-directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller before their departure during filming and replacement by Ron Howard, cost $250 million to make. In cinemas it ended with only $393 million combined domestically and internationally. While the studio acknowledges franchise fatigue on their end however, they’ve continued churning out more “Star Wars†productions since.
Mark Hamill, is currently working on the History Channel historical drama “Knightfall†about the Knights Templar and their destruction. He has however expressed interest in appearing or voicing for any of the upcoming “Star Wars†series such as “The Clone Wars†season 7, “Resistance,†and “The Mandalorian†on Disney+. The actor, alternatively famous for his voice-work as DC’s Joker, says he’s just waiting for offers.