Episode #445
"Star Wars Fandom vs Disney Creative" - Episode 445
WSTR Galactic Public Access 445: Star Wars fandom, Disney, and what needs to change Todd Hoffman spends this solo episode unpacking a provocative article about Star Wars losing audience share and what that might mean for Lucasfilm's strategy. He uses the conversation to examine fandom, theatrical turnout, streaming habits, sequel trilogy mistakes, and how Star Wars can regain event-level excitement. This episode is mostly Todd's perspective, with no guest or co-host in the studio. The main focus is on whether Star Wars has lost the audience or whether the audience has simply changed, and what Lucasfilm should do next. Key topics: Todd opens by reacting to an article claiming Star Wars has lost 85% of its theatrical audience and more than 70% of Disney Plus viewership. He argues the comparison between The Force Awakens and The Mandalorian and Grogu is not apples to apples because the 2015 film had a decade-long gap and original cast nostalgia behind it. He says moviegoing habits changed after COVID and streaming became the default wait-and-see option for many viewers. Todd believes fans have become more selective and frugal, not necessarily anti-Star Wars. He says Star Wars still needs to feel like a major event rather than something people can "wait for Disney Plus." He identifies the biggest Lucasfilm mistake as the lack of a consistent long-term plan for the sequel trilogy. He is especially critical of the divisiveness of The Last Jedi and the lack of plotting across the trilogy. Todd argues Star Wars has become too safe and needs more emotional stakes, tension, and "teeth." He says targeting younger viewers is smart, but only if the stories are big, strong, and accessible to adults too. He wants Lucasfilm to create new characters and new stories while still preserving enough legacy to bridge generations. He suggests the franchise should lean more into standalone storytelling, multimedia coordination, and clearer communication with fans. Todd thinks Star Wars should not try to appeal to everybody at once, but instead focus on making a genuinely good movie or show. He praises Andor for feeling like a strong story that happens to be in the Star Wars universe. He sees 2027 as a major opportunity because of the 50th anniversary and hopes momentum can carry into Starfighter and beyond. In the closing stretch, he talks about current Star Wars news, including the Lucas museum, IMAX plans for Starfighter, and his excitement for the future despite the franchise's rough edges. Timestamps: 00:00 - Episode intro and setting up the fandom discussion 00:56 - Solo episode for Todd's birthday and why this topic matters now 01:23 - Breaking down the article claiming Star Wars lost 85% of its audience 02:18 - Why the Force Awakens comparison makes the decline look dramatic 03:17 - Disney Plus viewership decline and whether the numbers tell the full story 04:14 - Why Force Awakens versus Mandalorian and Grogu is not a fair comparison 05:12 - How post-COVID streaming changed moviegoing habits 06:09 - Are fans walking away or just spending more selectively? 07:02 - Why Star Wars no longer feels like an automatic opening-night event 07:31 - The biggest Lucasfilm mistake: no consistent long-term sequel plan 08:29 - Why Todd thinks the sequel trilogy missteps still define the conversation 08:58 - Star Wars as brand versus story and why Todd wants more "teeth" 09:58 - Has the franchise become too safe to demand instant theater turnout? 10:29 - Should Lucasfilm target younger fans, and how should it do that? 11:26 - Why big stakes matter if Star Wars is going to win over kids and adults 12:46 - Why legacy matters, but new characters and new stories matter more 13:15 - Star Wars should stay in its lane and focus on being a good movie first 13:44 - Todd's first move if he had creative control: a clear strategy for film and streaming 14:46 - How books, games, and movies should connect without becoming mandatory homework 16:13 - Taking more time between Star Wars movies to rebuild anticipation 17:21 - Todd's idea for a stealthy, story-first approach that slowly reveals Star Wars ties 18:14 - Why Andor works by prioritizing story over franchise branding 19:12 - Is Star Wars in trouble, or just heading into a new chapter? 20:08 - What Todd would tell George Lucas if he walked in right now 21:23 - Closing thoughts on strategy, avoiding checkbox storytelling, and trusting good content 22:51 - News of the week: Lucas museum updates, IMAX plans, and Starfighter buzz 24:34 - Cantina chat, birthday talk, and seasonal life updates 25:48 - Listener call to action, email, socials, and next episode timing 27:14 - Final thoughts on staying positive, being authentic, and the future of Star Wars Share your thoughts on what Disney needs to change! Mentioned links and handles: Socials: @wstrmedia Podcast archive: podcast.wstrmedia.com Merch store: store.wstrmedia.com Live stream: livestream.wstrmedia.com Email: mailbox@wstrmedia.com
