Disney wants to take all of my money.
I already faithfully watch all of Disney’s movies and then buy them on Blu-ray.
I have a Hulu Plus account which, since Parks and Recreation’s finale, will really only be used for Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
I have purchased the first two issues of the new Star Wars comic, the first two issues of Darth Vader and the first issue of Princess Leia.
I am lining Mickey Mouse’s money bin, so much so that he’s now swimming like Scrooge McDuck.
However, it’s not enough; Disney wants to take more of my money.
Yesterday Disney announced its “Journey to The Force Awakens.” Between now and the release of The Force Awakens on December 18, Disney will release at least 20 new books. According to EW.com, the books will range “from novels for adults and teens to storybooks and stickerbooks for younger kids.”
“Journey to The Force Awakens” will fill in some of the gaps from the conclusion of Return of the Jedi to the beginning of The Force Awakens. I still don’t know anything about The Force Awakens so I don’t know what those gaps are, but I still wouldn’t mind filling them.
Unlike previous books that were a part of the Expanded Universe, “Journey to The Force Awakens” will be official canon. So while we had to cut ties with Mara Jade and Grand Admiral Thrawn, we’ll be able to forge fresh bonds with whatever new characters pop up in these stories.
Even though I think Disney wants to take all of my money, I don’t see “Journey to The Force Awakens” as a blatant money grab. Sure Disney wants to make as much money as possible, but it also wants to preserve the quality of its intellectual properties.
Ever since it purchased Lucasfilm, Disney has been making all the right moves with Star Wars. Star Wars Rebels is great, I have been enjoying the new comics and Disney has hired talented directors and screenwriters for its Star Wars movies. I have few doubts that The Force Awakens will restore the damage done to Star Wars by the prequels. Disney’s ultimate goal is to make money, but its first step is to create something of quality. Disney knows that something great leads to more merchandise sales. Frozen was great and has made Disney billions of dollars.
I’m optimistic that The Force Awakens will be great and that “Journey to The Force Awakens” will be the first step in that greatness. I may not preorder all 20 books, but if reviews are generally positive, I’ll probably download a few to my Kindle.
Unless one of the books is about an aged Gungan senator from Naboo. If that happens I’ll abandon Star Wars all together and start watching anime.
What do you think about “Journey to The Force Awakens?”
I think, “Disney is not getting all my money.” To quote that other famous Star franchise, “This far, and no farther! A line must be drawn, here!”
In all seriousness, I was pretty excited when I heard the new novels were going to “count” as canon. And, if they would stick with releasing one every two months or so, I might find both the time and quatloos (oops, Republic credits) affordable. But I’m not going to go chasing down “Journey to Force Awakens” books, especially when one of the two new novels I’ve read was really quite dull and pedestrian. The other was OK, and fun, but no great shakes.
My journey to The Force Awakens will consist of watching “Rebels” endlessly with my 7-yr-old daughter (newly minted Star Wars fan thanks to that show), reading the Marvel comics (for now, anyway), and just waiting it out ’til December.
Another fine post, Scott. Thanks for your blog. I continue to covet your clarity, your insight, and your regular schedule!
Thanks, Mike! I appreciate all of your support.
I’ll probably read some of the books, but I’ve gotta get through The Dark Tower first.