Disney’s Star Wars has a problem, one that is not often discussed: Disney has a fixation on The Force. At first glance, the House of Mouse’s focus on the franchise’s metaphysical and ubiquitous power doesn’t appear to be an issue, given that the Star Wars universe is largely centered around it anyway. Yet, when taking into consideration the stories Disney has told, there is a clear thread that keeps the franchise from moving on to its next chapter. Even as Disney moves away from stories involving the Jedi, The Force keeps cropping up.
To quote Obi-Wan Kenobi, The Force “binds the galaxy together.” It is an energy within all living things in the Star Wars universe, and has been the main factor that influences how the galaxy far, far away operates. It almost feels wrong to think of Star Wars without the Force. However, the franchise has expanded into far less mystical corners; for example, in The Mandalorian and Solo: A Star Wars Story, smugglers, bounty hunters and non-force users comprise the main cast. The Force isn’t nearly as important in such a context as it is in the core films.
The need for The Force should logically fade out given the plot of these adventures are not predicated upon it. If the Jedi and the Sith are not at the epicenter of the story, logically neither should The Force. However, it still manages to find its way into the narrative, for better or worse. Even in scenarios where it is narratively appropriate, such as in The Force Awakens or The Last Jedi, The Force becomes a plot device that can impair the film’s ability to build tension and add weight to the story. Despite this, Disney can’t seem to look past their unshakable desire to include The Force wherever they can.
Every Disney Star Wars Film & Show Has The Force (Even When It’s Not Needed)
The prequel trilogy helped expand on the concept of The Force even more than the original trilogy did, while also managing to craft a story and develop a world that was well-rounded and intriguing to the viewer. Disney’s sequel trilogy and subsequent spin-offs have similarly focused on the use of The Force. It is an ever-evolving plot device that continually shows off its capabilities. This can be seen as recently as The Last Jedi, where audiences witnessed Force projection and the usage of The Force in order to survive in space for the first time on film. Simply put, the Force is a central aspect of the Star Wars universe in more ways than one, and its inclusion keeps the Skywalker Saga unified.
The Force is also present in stories outside of the Skywalker Saga where its inclusion is unnecessary, like through Darth Vader’s appearance in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and Darth Maul’s inclusion in Solo: A Star Wars Story. As great as it is to see some of the most popular Force-users in the Star Wars canon make surprise appearances, these characters don’t have any real need to be there. Even in the case of The Mandalorian’s Baby Yoda, who uses the force in episode 2, despite being a child. As beloved as Baby Yoda is, it is indisputable that including limelight-stealing characters like these in settings they aren’t normally found in distracts from the rest of the cast.
Why Does Disney Star Wars Always Have The Force?
It is impossible to think of the franchise without The Force, which is something Disney is well aware of, hence its inclusion in every piece of Star Wars media. As the series has expanded into areas of the universe that do not revolve around the Skywalker line, The Force becomes a background element to the story. It becomes a reference, an Easter egg of sorts that more or less feels included because it has to be. With the sequel trilogy dealing with the continuation of the Skywalker story, naturally there is heavy inclusion of The Force.
Star Wars was once one, linear story, and The Force was at the core of that. Even to this day, that mindset is still very much alive and well. Its inclusion feels natural, and without The Force, Star Wars just isn’t Star Wars. This ideology is one that Disney clings to, if for no other reason than to embrace one of the most well-known pieces of Star Wars lore. It is a common thread that keeps the series tied to its roots, allowing the characters and storylines around it to grow from it. It belongs in the universe at some capacity, so it never really does go away completely.
The Problem With Star Wars Obsessing Over The Force
The problem, however, is that The Force has become a crutch that limits the franchise’s narrative potential. When Disney attempts to branch out with projects like The Mandalorian, which are not ostensibly about a Force user, then include one in the plot, it comes at the expense of the individuality of the film or series. This over-reliance on the Force can greatly limit the storytelling potential of an otherwise limitless universe. The Force can narrow the scope of what spin-offs and TV series can really do with the Star Wars brand, and in some cases can feel like a cop-out. There is no tension if the heroes are all capable of unmatched Force ability. If left unchecked, the result may be another expanded universe situation where the number of people who are Force-sensitive skyrockets to the detriment of the story.
When implemented correctly, The Force can provide for breathtaking moments that can make or break a Star Wars narrative. However, a careful balance should be met in order to keep it from being overused. It is a great aspect to include in a story and is one of the elements that makes Star Wars what it is, but it is not the only thing that can make Star Wars interesting to the viewer. There are so many directions the franchise can be taken, likely with great success. As Kylo Ren once said “Let the past die, kill it if you have to” which is a piece of advice Disney should certainly take into consideration. In short, there is so much more to Star Wars than The Force alone.
More: JJ Abrams Understood George Lucas’ Force Awakens Criticisms
- Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker Release Date: 2019-12-20
