What happened to Star Wars? StoryBrand's 7-step Framework has turned to the dark side of the force in the new sequel trilogy.
What happened to Star Wars? Whether you’re a fan of Star Wars sequels or not, it’s clear that Disney made some, ah, interesting choices with their latest installments. For what should’ve been an easy slam dunk for Disney, became a conglomerate of mixed reviews from fans. Let’s take a clear look at Star Wars’ framework to find out how you can best avoid the sequels’ mistakes in your StoryBrand marketing campaign.
While there are many negative aspects in the sequel trilogy, there are still some positive aspects that use the StoryBrand format well.
The original trilogy was an instant success - so Disney attempted to use the same magical formula within the sequel trilogy.
What is great about the sequel trilogy:
Then there was Rogue One, debatably the best Star Wars film of the 21st century. The film includes the best cinematography, coolest space battles, and brings a realism to heroes that hasn’t been experienced in any other Star Wars film.
And of course, the infamous Darth Vader corridor scene at the end of the movie; Darth Vader instilled a horror and terror in audiences that only modern cinema could achieve. Improved lighting techniques, CGI, and overall performances (the rebel extras did a phenomenal job in this scene) were the main elements that made this scene great. It made us really feel how powerful lightsabers and the force were in a movie that was mostly focused on blaster shots, heist plans, and war strategy.
Did the sequels hit all the marks in its StoryBrand framework? Let’s look at the original trilogy first then compare it to the sequel trilogy. A New Hope’s story is a simple example of StoryBrand and can help you find the type of framework you may want to implement with your customers.
Check out the 7-step StoryBrand framework of the original trilogy:
These 7 steps show up in just about every chart-topping story that’s hit the silver screen. Our brains recognize these seven steps as an intriguing story, and immediately, we’re hooked.
What if you could use those seven steps to tell the story of YOUR brand?
Donald Miller, the author of StoryBrand, states that you should “identify the customer’s problem, explain your plan to help them, and describe a successful ending to their story” in your marketing campaign.
Despite their efforts, Disney’s Star Wars failed to fulfill the 3 essential aspects of StoryBrand:
Identify the customer’s problem: Star Wars fans had been wanting new movies ever since the prequel trilogy in the early 2000’s. But what was the precedent for these new films? Why did there need to be a continuation from the original trilogy? Disney didn’t put much thought into how to create a natural continuation from the previous trilogy.
Explain your plan to help them: Their main selling point to help fans with their desire for Star Wars was to offer “new” and quality Star Wars content. Ironically, they copied the old plot elements from the original trilogy in these “new” films; A protagonist is stuck on a desert planet, there is a conflict with a powerful antagonistic faction, and the plot is to destroy the large planet destroyer. Doesn’t it sound a little familiar?
Describe a successful ending to their story: Disney did not give the audience the “success story” that they promised but instead failed to reach fans’ expectations.
But with a few tweaks and a little forethought, it’s totally possible to sidestep these issues and make sure your story works FOR YOU!
Based on reviews and audience feedback, the new Star Wars films definitely struck a chord with audiences. Let’s see if we can go back to the StoryBrand building blocks and objectively determine what went wrong with these films.
Looking again at the StoryBrand’s 7-step framework in a new light, the quality of the “hero,” the “problem”, the “guide,” and more has decreased in the sequel trilogy.
And this is just the tip of the iceberg.
Star Wars captivated audiences for years with its amazing visuals and revolutionary storytelling. Now, the Star Wars brand divides audiences; average movie-goers typically enjoy these movies while hard-core fans generally dislike the sequel trilogy.
Need we go on? It is important not only to follow this framework, but also create a quality narrative that engages with your customers on a personal level. It’s not enough to just hit the 7 steps. You’ve got to make sure your story is compelling and engages with your customers. And that’s where we come in!
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David Brecount
CEO & Co-Founder