A Film for Every Generation

Film is but a medium for storytelling and storytelling is a universal language that spans generations and cultures. From classics that are loved by all to new films that spawn avid followings there is always going to be something for everyone.

With massive franchises such as Star Wars that reach across generational boundaries, there is no shortage of a targetable market for studios when it comes to blockbusters such as these. In the case of Star Wars, its first instalment was released in 1977 and its most recent release being last year (2018). That’s 42 years, 11 theatrically released films, cartoon and animated series’, toys, collectables, comic books, novels and conventions all inspired from one film. And all of these things rang from collectables, costing thousands of pounds, targeted towards the working professional and blind bag toys marketed towards children. Its rare to see one brand become so diverse but Star Wars isn’t the only one to do it. Recently Marvel superheroes have been dominating the box office since 2008 and with the backing of Disney and there seemingly endless mounds of cash, Marvel have made a whopping 22 films in the last 11 years. The advantage to these franchises is how they are accessible to any and all generations. With Star Wars being influenced by a long history of science fiction and Marvel having the backdrop of 80 years of comics and character development to draw from. These story help to bridge differences between the generations by creating a common interest, but they also stand as a time capsule for the year they were made in. 1977’s Star Wars: A New Hope was ground breaking in its use of practical and visual and even launched the effects studio Industrial Light and Magic, which now produced some of the special effects for Marvel’s Avengers: Endgame. The advancement of technology has allowed for even more crazy things to come to life such as a massive alien army fighting an army of Asgardians, Mages and Wakandan Warriors.

Disney Sets Sustained Slate for Several Years to Come

Disney’s recent acquisition of Fox studios and all its intellectual property has often raised the question as to what the future of both studios looks like. Now Disney have provided us all with an answer. They have released an official film slate for what they have planned for the next eight years.

2019 Slate

2019 has been a very big year for Disney, with Avengers: Endgame coming out in this year and as of writing this post it does not hold the largest worldwide box office record, but its looking like it will get there. The acquisition of Fox was also finalised this year and Disney have their Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge in the summer.

Going forward Disney still have 15 films to be released globally this year:

Tolkien – A story of J.R.R Tolkien’s life leading up to his creation of the Lord of the Rings books.
Aladdin – A live action re-imagination of the Disney classic of the same name, starring will Smith
Dark Phoenix – The conclusion to Fox’s long-lived X-Men franchise
Stuber – A comedy action film that pairs an Uber driver and a cop.
The Lion King – Another live action re-imagining of a Disney classic
The Art of racing in the rain – A story from a race car drivers’ dog’s perspective
Ready or Not – A suspenseful twits on a bride’s wedding day worries
Ad Astra – A space journey to find his missing farther
The Woman in the Window – An agoraphobic woman witnesses a crime
Maleficent: Mistress of Evil – A further exploration into the villainous character
Ford v. Ferrari – A stylised story of the tension between Ford and Ferrari at the Le Mans race.
Frozen 2 – A sequel to the hit 2013 film
Star Wars: Rise of the Skywalker – The thrilling conclusion to this generation’s Star Wars trilogy
Spies in Disguise – An animated kids’ film about a spy that turns into a Pidgeon

Fox Marvel Slate

With 19 more films set to come out in 2020, many of the upcoming Fox Marvel films have been removed. The only one still set to be released is The New Mutants, whether it will be a theatrical release is another question. It seems that Disney are very adamant to keep as much control over their Marvel franchise as possible, with six untitled Marvel releases to come leading up to 2027.

Star Wars and Avatar releases

Along with the acquisition of Fox, Disney clamed ownership of Avatar, the only film that grossed higher than Avengers: Endgame so far. And with their slightly disponing performance of Solo: A Star Wars Story, both in the box office and fan reception, they have stated they will discontinue the Star Wars Story line and instead focus on a new trilogy. So, starting in 2021 with the release of Avatar 2, each year will see an adulterant release of Star Wars and Avatar.

Galaxy’s Edge Disneyland

One of the worlds largest studios; Disney, brought the rights to one of the world’s largest franchises; Star Wars, back in 2012. Finally, one of the most exciting consequences of this purchase is coming to fruition. Disney are opening a Star Wars themed adventure in some of their selected parks. Here you can find all the information you’ll need to get hyped for the opportunity of going.

Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge rides

The main attraction to the Disney themed parks is of course the rides, so what do they have in store for us in the new Star Wars land? The first ride you will be introduced to is the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. This ride aims to realise every Star Wars fan’s dream of piloting the one and only Millennium Falcon. The ride itself will be a simulation style ride with up to 4 people taking the role of different cabin crew on-board the Falcon, these roles are; pilot, co-pilot, engineer and gunner.

The second rise is called; Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and to fully comprehend what it will entail, you first have to know what Disney Dark Rides are. Disney Dark Rides are an immersive experience where you embark a vehicle that is guided along a track, be it a car along a track or a boat floating down a river. You will, along the way, pass wonderfully lit scenes of animatronics, music, special effects and narrative. For example, the long existing It’s a Small word and Pirates of the Caribbean both fall under the Disney Dark Ride category. The Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance will be one of these dark Rides that places you in action of an explosive battle between the dreaded First Order and the hopeful Resistance.

Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge opening date

The official Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge opening date has been set for May 31^st, although this seems to only be a test run until June 23^rd. The interesting social media tactic was to announce this and at the same time generate a compelling call to action. the original Tweet incites viewers to like it to gain further information, this then allowed the Tween to gain traction online very quickly.

Once you liked the Tweet, you were instantly @ed a response to inform you that once reservations are available, you will be one of the first to know about it. The level of anticipation is increased and almost creates a competition for people to book their tickets immediate or they will lose out due to the tickets being sold out, thus ensuring that Disney will sell each and every ticket they offer to complete their target sample size to best test how good their rides are and the efficiency of their other services such as food courts, merchandise stands and queuing systems.