Since the premiere of Star Wars: A New Hope (Episode IV) in 1977, our world has been made richer by the adventures of rebels long, long ago in a galaxy far, far away. Creator George Lucas turned his modest sci-fi film into a sprawling media empire, one glowing with a constellation of movie prequels, sequels and spinoffs, and now acclaimed animated and live-action television series. From Star Wars: The Clone Wars to 2023’s Ahsoka, The Unofficial Fan Guide to The Wide World of Star Wars dives into the small-screen achievements of the Star Wars universe with behind-the-scenes details, recommended viewing and a preview of what’s ahead.
WHY WE LOVE STAR WARS ON THE SMALL SCREEN • FROM THE CHARACTERS WE’VE LOVED SINCE 1977 TO THE NEW ONES WE’VE EMBRACED IN THE 2020S (HELLO, GROGU!), THE UNIVERSE OF STAR WARS IS EXPANDING, AND WE ARE HERE FOR IT
A Long, Long Time Ago on TVs Far, Far away • AFTER SOARING TO STRATOSPHERIC CINEMATIC SUCCESS IN THE ’70S AND ’80S, STAR WARS TRIED TO TACKLE TELEVISION
THIS IS THE WAY • WITH THE ARRIVAL OF THE MANDALORIAN, THE STAR WARS FRANCHISE FOUND A NEW HOPE IN A NEW MEDIUM: TELEVISION
REBEL REBEL • ROGUE ONE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN THE STAR WARS FRANCHISE’S BIGGEST BOX-OFFICE HIT, BUT IT LED TO ONE OF THE BEST TV SHOWS
SOME KIND OF PADAWAN - DERFUL • AFTER YEARS OF WAITING IMPATIENTLY, FANS FINALLY GET TO SEE THEIR FAVORITE CHARACTER, AHSOKA TANO, STEP OUT ON HER OWN
BACK TO THE FUTURE • WITH THE BOOK OF BOBA FETT AND OBI-WAN KENOBI, DISNEY+ TOOK TWO CRITICAL CHARACTERS FROM THE PAST AND GAVE THEM NEW LIFE
DRAWN TO SUCCESS • THANKS TO GROUNDBREAKING SERIES LIKE THE CLONE WARS AND REBELS, ANIMATION ISN’T JUST KID’S STUFF
FAILURE TO RELAUNCH • AFTER A RECORD-SETTING START, THE STAR WARS FILM FRANCHISE HAS RECENTLY STRUGGLED TO REPEAT THAT SUCCESS
THE FUTURE IS SOON • AFTER A STRING OF SMALL-SCREEN SUCCESSES, THE STAR WARS TV UNIVERSE CONTINUES TO EXPAND
OUT OF THIS WORLD • THE NEW STAR WARS SHOWS HAVE BEEN SOME OF THE BEST THINGS ON TELEVISION. HERE ARE THE FIVE EPISODES YOU HAVE TO WATCH
The Many Worlds of Star Wars - The Unofficial Fan Guide
PHOTO CREDITS