|
they'd done with previous releases because of TLJ still having it's run in the theaters during that cycle. As big of a SW fan as I am (and I really liked TLJ at the time) I wasn't ready to be in the theater watching Solo. It was the first SW film I didn't see opening night since the 80's.
Combine that with TLJ being divisive among fans, and the wasted opportunity of building on the rhythm they had with TFA, Rogue One, and TLJ all coming out in back to back Decembers, and it really didn't make sense. Also, it wasn't even a move to start releasing SW films twice a year at that point - they had no SW film to drop after Solo until Rise of Skywalker in December 2019. They could have easily kept that December cadence going for what would have been 5 straight years.
All that being said, I see no problem at all with these announcements. The way LucasFilm and ILM are using the Volume to shoot Mandalorian they've been able to produce cinematic level effects for TV at much less cost.
Also the idea of "oversaturation" is different on TV/streaming vs. theatrical releases. The oversaturation feeling comes from the special event nature of Star Wars film releases - the huge marketing pushes, red carpet events, etc. For these TV show releases there likely won't be more than one new SW show on at a time, but I'd guess they'll eventually come out back to back with short breaks in between. They also have enough distinctions that if a show isn't for you, easy to skip. I never got into SW Resistance at all, but I loved Clone Wars, Rebels, etc. Those three shows (and the final season of Clone Wars which was added) all came out back to back, and never felt like oversaturation - and that's all animation. Which these announcements if you love Mandalorian you'll probably check out Ahsoka and Rangers of the New Republic since it sounds like those will be directly connected and also done by Favreau/Filoni...but that doesn't mean you'll also watch the Bad Batch or Andor - and that's okay.
The TV/streaming format should allow them to take risks that would be more difficult on theatrical releases. Also easier for them to pivot on release dates for the shows depending on the numbers they are seeing. Given the pandemic and the unknown affect on the theater experience going forward, makes sense to go all in on Disney+. (I wouldn't be surprised if they raise their price soon for that also.)
|