There is no questioning that Star Wars is one of the most prolific franchises in existence – in this galaxy and any far, far away. Since its inception in 1977, several components have come together to help the intergalactic series maintain its spot in our hearts and minds. In fact, Star Wars and production company Lucasfilm could probably teach university classes on how to develop a franchise. But what can budding franchises learn from Star Wars to help expand their own universes and create a legion of devoted fans all around the planet?
Engaging Characters
The elements that have endured from the original Star Wars trilogy are solely down to the characters. Most people will know of Yoda and Darth Vader, the mentor and the villain. They helped create an archetype that other films sought to replicate. Han Solo helped create an anti-hero as a protagonist who we rooted for despite his shortcomings. Princess Leia developed an entire hairstyle and showed that the damsel in distress can be badass.
If it weren’t for the initial crop of characters, then the franchise wouldn’t have succeeded. Many of the later iterations took inspiration from the characters in the original – with the later trilogy being a Darth Vader origin story that also delved into Obi-Wan Kenobi’s life as a younger man. This trilogy created another selection of engaging characters.
Tie-In Merchandise
Another of the reasons for the success of Star Wars comes down to how it allowed its fans to engage with the worlds the films depicted. George Lucas was savvy with merchandising rights from the outset, which meant that he had greater control over what the Star Wars brand covered. But it’s important for modern franchises to consider where they expand to. Sometimes it’s better to think outside the box.
Rather than create branded lunchboxes and a multitude of toys other avenues could be more fruitful. For instance, as the Goonies slot game at Casushi shows, connecting with audiences in a more innovative way, such as with online casino gameplay, could reinvigorate a brand. The Goonies slot is themed around the classic 1985 movie and takes imagery and inspiration from the film to infuse with the traditional slot gameplay. Finding creative ways to tie into a franchise could embolden a fanbase.
Expansive Universe
Pardon the pun, but one of the other reasons for the success of Star Wars is down to the expansive universe it created. Much like the Marvel Cinematic Universe has done, Star Wars opened their world up so that audiences wanted to delve deeper into it. By creating a host of planets, alien races, and side stories, there is plenty to jump into when the primary narrative draws to a close.
By ensuring there is a reason to revisit the series, things other than films can be created. Spin-off series, books, comics, and video games can continue to flesh out the canon. This has been seen in later franchises, such as Game of Thrones, who have quickly whipped up a spin-off series. Outside fantasy, successful Breaking Bad developed a prequel origin series for one of their supporting cast with Better Call Saul.
To excel as a franchise the key takeaway is to set no limits. This comes down to creating enduring characters whose stories never end, other avenues to engage with through merchandise, and a world that makes viewers want to explore it.