A while back, word got around that Disney and Lucasfilm were toying with the idea of a live action "Star Wars" television show. Now comes word that the studio is actually planning multiple live action "Star Wars" series set for Netflix.
Jordan Maison of Cinelinx reports:
"For Lucasfilm this makes a lot of sense, as they want to keep the cinematic feel of the movies going with the TV shows. Netflix allows for such a presentation much better than network television, while also giving them a chance to explore stories and characters which otherwise might not be a good fit somewhere else."
Maison reports that Disney is currently considering as many as three live-action series for Netflix streaming. The characters and plot of these shows remains unknown at this point.
Initially, it was believed that Disney would take advantage of its ABC ownership and plop a "Star Wars" show right on primetime network television. But given the ratings struggles of Marvel's "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." and the massive success of Netflix's "Daredevil," it sounds like the studio has changed its tune. This is for the best. Netflix may not offer Disney/Lucasfilm the same type of broad audiences and earnings potential as ABC, but it does offer a wider range of creative possibilities and the ability to deal with more adult content.
At the end of the day, "Star Wars" fans will tune in solely based on quality, not availability. Right now, Netflix houses a lot of quality content while network television continues to struggle in that department. Disney and Lucasfilm are positioning themselves for another successful expansion of the "Star Wars" universe.
