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Disney's Star Wars: Forces of Production, Promotion, and Reception
In 2012, Disney purchased Lucasfilm, which meant it also inherited the beloved Star Wars franchise. This corporate marriage sent media critics and fans into a frenzy of speculation about what would happen next with the hugely popular series. Disney’s Star Wars gathers twenty-one noted fan and media studies scholars from around the world to examine Disney’s revival of the franchise.
Covering the period from Disney’s purchase through the release of The Force Awakens, the book reveals how fans anticipated, interpreted, and responded to the steady stream of production stories, gossip, marketing materials, merchandise, and other sources in the build-up to the movie’s release. From fears that Princess Leia would be turned into a “Disney princess” to collaborative brand management, the authors explore the shifting relationship between fans, texts, and media industries in the context of a crucial rebranding campaign. The result is a fascinating examination of a critical moment in the iconic series’ history.
Covering the period from Disney’s purchase through the release of The Force Awakens, the book reveals how fans anticipated, interpreted, and responded to the steady stream of production stories, gossip, marketing materials, merchandise, and other sources in the build-up to the movie’s release. From fears that Princess Leia would be turned into a “Disney princess” to collaborative brand management, the authors explore the shifting relationship between fans, texts, and media industries in the context of a crucial rebranding campaign. The result is a fascinating examination of a critical moment in the iconic series’ history.
416 pages, Paperback
Published July 1, 2019
7 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 1, 2019
I received this book for free through NetGalley.
To start off I have to admit I am not involved in the Star Wars fandom. I like the Star Wars movies just fine, but it has always been a bit of a mystery to me why it is as popular as it is.
Disney's Star Wars: Forces of Production, Promotion, and Reception is a collection of essays written by scholarly fans of the franchise.
The language is academical, which contrasts sharply with Star Wars' and Disney's images as children's entertainment. Don't expect a quick, light read! This book is not for children, it delves deep into the topics it covers, using the most convoluted vocabulary possible.
It's also full of spoilers for the Star Wars movies, so beware if you haven't seen them yet!
The extensive analyses behind the fan reactions to the latest Star Wars movies were interesting, showing that for many (white male) fans the diversity of the cast was seen as problematic, while other fans liked the diversity but felt the franchise didn't make enough of an effort to include the female lead character Rey in their merchandise.
I guess with such a large fandom you just can't make everybody happy. But it also shows how very personal and intimate the experience of being a Star Wars fan is to many people.
I especially enjoyed the little peeks behind the scenes of how the (new) movies were made.
Disney's Star Wars: Forces of Production, Promotion, and Reception provides a fascinating look into the good, the bad, and the ugly of both the Star Wars franchise and fandom.
To start off I have to admit I am not involved in the Star Wars fandom. I like the Star Wars movies just fine, but it has always been a bit of a mystery to me why it is as popular as it is.
Disney's Star Wars: Forces of Production, Promotion, and Reception is a collection of essays written by scholarly fans of the franchise.
The language is academical, which contrasts sharply with Star Wars' and Disney's images as children's entertainment. Don't expect a quick, light read! This book is not for children, it delves deep into the topics it covers, using the most convoluted vocabulary possible.
It's also full of spoilers for the Star Wars movies, so beware if you haven't seen them yet!
The extensive analyses behind the fan reactions to the latest Star Wars movies were interesting, showing that for many (white male) fans the diversity of the cast was seen as problematic, while other fans liked the diversity but felt the franchise didn't make enough of an effort to include the female lead character Rey in their merchandise.
I guess with such a large fandom you just can't make everybody happy. But it also shows how very personal and intimate the experience of being a Star Wars fan is to many people.
I especially enjoyed the little peeks behind the scenes of how the (new) movies were made.
Disney's Star Wars: Forces of Production, Promotion, and Reception provides a fascinating look into the good, the bad, and the ugly of both the Star Wars franchise and fandom.
October 5, 2019
A great read for both Star Wars fans and anyone interested in the more general entertainment/film industry. Exploring the history of the Star Wars franchise and delving into the ways it has changed (for the better and worse) since being purchased by Disney, this book provides an insider view of how the decisions get made. The chapters cover not only the storytelling aspects that Disney has changes but also reveals why certain marketing directions were followed. There were many "aha!" moments as questions I'd had about why particular plot points or marketing situations happened the way they did.
June 25, 2019
As with any anthology of this nature, some essays are stronger than others, but all in all this volume contains a number of valuable perspectives on how fans have come to embrace a franchise founded by a solo auteur and now run by an arguably monopolistic entertainment giant. I reviewed Disney's Star Wars for The Tangential.
July 1, 2019
This is a great look at the acquisition of Lucas Films by Disney and how the fans reacted to their beloved Star Wars being a part of the deal. It was interesting to read about some of the fears that fans had, as some were out there! I enjoyed this book a lot!
November 24, 2024
thinking about francise cultural production
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews