#NotMySTARWARS #SellLucasfilm #WelcomeToTheRebellion
Disney has fully embraced woke capitalism, an odd duck of a business philosophy where a business is not chiefly concerned with profit, or market share, or even cultivating a consumer base, but instead with using their product and platform to help promote social justice.
Gillette tried that for a hot minute and lost $2 BILLION for their troubles.
The comic book industry - particularly the major publishers - followed the woke Pied Piper all the way to the scene of the crash. And they STILL push ideological narratives like it was a badge of honor.
The shareholders' call was very telling about Disney's intentions moving forward, as if there weren't ample enough evidence of that in their actions regarding both Star Wars and other IP they possess. Remember when Bob Chapek promised that there would be serious repercussions if Kathleen Kennedy didn't release a formal public statement regarding the Gina Carano firing before the shareholders' call? Pepperidge Farm remembers. Because all Chapek had to say on the subject is that Kennedy will be running LucasFilm for decades to come. Well, how nice, you ball-less wonder.
The irony I find to all of this is the idea that the existing fanbase doesn't represent who Disney wants as fans as Star Wars. They're too "problematic," you see. Instead, they want a new, woke, enlightened fan base. Except that no one seems to have informed Disney that this so-called new fanbase they want consists largely of people who either A) don't spend their money on merch, because generationally they spend it on experiences, or B) won't spend their money on Disney because Disney represents CAPITALISM, a thing they have been taught to despise (but certainly, they'll watch pirated Disney movies, no problem). So whatever fraction of fans left beyond THAT is what Disney is now focusing their attention on.
Best of luck with that.