Disney is using late 2019 to open new chapters of the Star Wars franchise that caters to fans of all mediums. The multimedia juggernaut is reaching consumers through TV, video games, and the big screen. When Star Wars first released in 1977, it was the start of a franchise that would turn into a pop culture phenomenon. Following the original trilogy, Star Wars spawned a number a fictional universe comprised of TV series, specials, novels, comic books, and video games.

Then came the prequel trilogy along with more media projects further expanding the epic space opera. Many of those titles fell into the Extended Universe or EU which was then considered non-canon after it rebranded to Star Wars Legends when Disney took over the Star Wars franchise. Disney’s acquisition certainly didn’t slow down the production of materials. If anything, they restructured the franchise to reach more mainstream audiences.

The original Star Wars trilogy was untouchable in the eyes of many fans, and the release of the prequel trilogy divided the fanbase; it was a similar situation with the first two installments of the sequel trilogy as well. Many fans kept EU details in mind when taking in the more recent trilogies, especially when it came to Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Star Wars: The Last Jedi. With animated series like The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels, they primarily appealed to niche audiences. To reach a wider list of demographics, Disney is spending November and December by releasing three major titles: The Mandalorian, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

How Disney Is Using Star Wars To Dominate Pop Culture

By releasing a TV show, video game, and feature film, Disney is attracting mainstream consumers from three of the biggest areas of pop culture, and it couldn’t come at a better time. The Mandalorian, the first Star Wars live-action TV series, debuted November 12 on Disney+. The series centering on the mysterious bounty hunter has quickly become a major hit thanks to the inclusion of Baby Yoda. The infant has stirred up so much buzz, non-Star Wars fans are finding themselves tuning in each week to take in the cuteness. Fans are waiting for proper merchandise related to The Mandalorian and with the Christmas shopping season in full force, products will surely be flying off the shelves. Even young kids who don’t watch the series are loving anything Baby Yoda-related.

Similarily to The Mandalorian, gamers are loving Fallen Order, the latest title set in the Star Wars universe. Jedi: Fallen Order follows a Jedi named Cal Ketsis whose being hunted by the Empire. The video game is set shortly after the events of Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith and is currently available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. The game, however, isn’t the last big release of the year since the Skywalker Saga will officially come to an end with the release of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Those who followed along at any point in the Skywalker journey will be eager to see how it all comes to a close. Even viewers who criticized previous installments won’t be able to miss the final chapter of a saga that started over four decades ago. All three of Disney’s newest Star Wars titles will be can’t-misses this holiday season.

Next: Star Wars: Every Upcoming Movie, TV Show, Game, Book, Comic, & More (2019-2027)

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