‘The Last Jedi’ Split the Star Wars Fandom 7 Years Ago Today

It’s been exactly seven years since Star Wars: The Last Jedi hit theaters, promising to take the beloved galaxy far, far away to bold new places. Instead, it became one of the most divisive movies in franchise history. What was supposed to be the triumphant follow-up to The Force Awakens sparked a firestorm of controversy, leaving a fandom split, merchandise collecting dust, and Disney scrambling to regain balance in the Force.

How did it come to this? Let’s take a closer look at the fallout, the YouTube wars, the numbers, and where Star Wars stands today.

The Fallout: A Galaxy Divided

When The Last Jedi released in December 2017, critics praised writer-director Rian Johnson for taking risks. The movie subverted expectations, challenging long-held ideas about Luke Skywalker, Rey’s origins, and what it meant to be a Jedi. But fans? Well, that’s another story.

The backlash was swift and loud. Major sticking points included:

• Luke Skywalker’s Arc: Fans expected a heroic Luke, not a disillusioned hermit who had turned his back on the Force.
• Rey’s Parentage: After years of speculation, the revelation that Rey came from “nobodies” left many feeling unsatisfied.
• Humor and Tone: The movie’s quirky humor—like Luke tossing his lightsaber—felt jarring to many longtime fans.

Social media turned into a battlefield. While some praised the movie’s fresh take, others felt betrayed, claiming it undermined Star Wars’ legacy. What began as a disagreement over creative choices spiraled into a full-blown cultural war.

The YouTube Wars and Lucasfilm’s Response

The discourse didn’t stay on Twitter. YouTube quickly became ground zero for The Last Jedi critiques.

Content Creators Take Aim: Pop culture YouTube channels tapped into fan frustration, producing viral videos criticizing the film. Whether dissecting its plot holes, character choices, or perceived “agenda,” these critiques resonated with many disillusioned fans.

Lucasfilm’s Response: Instead of cooling tensions, Lucasfilm inadvertently fanned the flames. Studio head Kathleen Kennedy made comments labeling certain vocal critics as “white dudes” and attributing backlash to sexism, which further alienated a portion of the audience. While Kennedy’s intent may have been to call out bad-faith actors, many fans took the remarks personally.

The result? A fractured fandom. Some fans rallied behind the YouTube critics, while others defended the film and criticized the toxicity within the community. The divide has lingered, becoming a saga unto itself.

The Numbers: A Star Wars Health Check

The fallout from The Last Jedi wasn’t just felt in fan circles. It rippled across toy aisles, box offices, and even Star Wars Celebration events.

1. Box Office Blues

The Star Wars sequel trilogy began on a high note:

• The Force Awakens (2015): $248 million opening weekend (U.S.)
• The Last Jedi (2017): $220 million opening weekend—down, but still respectable.
• The Rise of Skywalker (2019): $177 million opening weekend, marking a notable decline.

By the time The Rise of Skywalker arrived, fatigue and skepticism were entrenched. What began as Disney’s billion-dollar juggernaut began showing cracks.

2. Merchandise Meltdown

Merchandise has always been the lifeblood of the Star Wars franchise. But after The Last Jedi, toy sales dropped 15% in 2018. Hasbro, one of the franchise’s key partners, reported unsold Star Wars merchandise piling up. Characters like Rose Tico and even Rey struggled to connect with toy buyers, leaving shelves stocked with unwanted figures.

This trend reflected the disconnect between Disney’s vision for Star Wars and audience reception. Fans were voting with their wallets.

3. Gaming Letdowns: Star Wars Outlaws

Even video games, once a reliable crowd-pleaser for Star Wars, failed to bridge the gap. The highly anticipated Star Wars Outlaws, intended to reignite fan excitement, landed with a thud. Poor reviews cited uninspired gameplay and a failure to capture what made classics like Knights of the Old Republic and Battlefront II so beloved.

Instead of uniting the fandom, Outlaws became another missed opportunity.

4. Streaming’s Mixed Results

Disney+ has been a double-edged lightsaber for Star Wars.

• The Mandalorian (2019) became a cultural phenomenon, thanks to Baby Yoda (Grogu) and Jon Favreau’s grounded storytelling.
• The Book of Boba Fett and Obi-Wan Kenobi failed to match that magic. Both shows drew criticism for pacing issues, underwhelming stories, and inconsistent viewership.

Disney’s streaming focus has kept the brand alive, but it hasn’t fully repaired the damage.

Cultural Impact: From Celebration to Division

The ripple effects of The Last Jedi have extended beyond screens and shelves. Even Star Wars Celebration, once a joyous gathering of fans, has felt the strain. Attendance has dipped, and discussions often center on controversy rather than excitement.

The once-unified Star Wars community now feels like factions of a divided family. New projects are met with caution and skepticism. Will it be another Mandalorian, or will it fall flat like Outlaws?

Where Do We Go From Here?

Seven years later, Star Wars is at a crossroads.

1. Disney’s Strategy Shift: With films on pause, Disney has turned to streaming—a safer, smaller-scale bet. Shows like Ahsoka and Andor have been praised for quality, but they cater to niche corners of the fandom.
2. The Brand Needs Healing: The lingering division can’t be ignored. Disney and Lucasfilm must reconcile with fans and refocus on what made Star Wars timeless: epic storytelling, lovable characters, and universal themes.

Disney’s upcoming theatrical projects, including the Dave Filoni-directed crossover film and new entries in the saga, will be key. Will they rebuild the fandom’s trust, or will skepticism reign supreme?

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

What are your thoughts on The Last Jedi, seven years later? Has it aged better with time, or does it still feel like a misstep in the saga? Share this article on social media and let us know—because the debate over Star Wars is far from over.