The galaxy far, far away seems to have hit an asteroid field under the helm of Disney, as the once beloved Star Wars franchise grapples with controversy and dwindling box office numbers. Disney, who poured an astronomical $4 billion into acquiring Lucasfilm, which owns Star Wars, seems to be struggling to make that money back. Instead of soaring into hyperdrive with compelling stories and beloved characters, they appear to be engaged in a somewhat public relations nightmare, much to the chagrin of long-time fans. Let’s take a light-speed dive into the recent debacles facing Star Wars and what might lie ahead for this iconic series.

The drama began when Mark Hamill, known for his portrayal of Luke Skywalker, sparked a Twitter tempest with posts that saw him voicing political opinions and later expressing disdain for Donald Trump. This seemed to send ripples across the galaxy, and not in a way that was meant to inspire hope and adventure. It’s worth pondering whether Hamill’s foray into politics and controversial statements are the Jedi-like behavior we would expect from someone so iconic to the legacy of Star Wars. It’s a strange turn of events that has snubbed a significant portion of the audience — audience members who might otherwise fill theaters for the latest Star Wars offerings.

Adding fuel to this cosmic conflagration, Pedro Pascal’s on-screen antics during a promotional event for The Mandalorian left many fans scratching their heads. His unexpected kiss with a late-night talk show host did not play well with certain audience members, leaving more questions than excitement about Disney’s Star Wars future. The reaction to this spectacle suggests that the force may not be strong with Disney’s current marketing strategies.

Now onto the latest data from hyperspace: The Mandalorian has not had a cinema release, but recent Star Wars films such as “Solo: A Star Wars Story” underperformed at the box office compared to expectations, marking one of the lowest box office openings for Star Wars during the Disney era. With an underwhelming performance, it highlights a trajectory that’s headed straight for the Death Star’s trash compactor. This performance, in spite of the anticipation for Star Wars content, suggests something deeper is amiss in Disney’s strategy. Evidently, mixing politics with entertainment hasn’t created the blockbuster appeal once boasted by this legendary series.

Disney seems to be rethinking its bantha-sized mistakes, contemplating rolling back the Star Wars timeline to focus on the original characters that won the hearts of audiences around the world. By considering the removal of newer, less successful stories from the canonical timeline, Disney may be turning back to basics. Rekindling love for the original saga might just be the redemption arc they need.

While it’s amusing and tragic to see a giant like Disney falter in such widely public missteps, fans wait with bated breath. Can Disney master the force within to salvage the Star Wars legacy? Or will they continue to fly their starship straight into the asteroid belt of controversy and declining interest? Only time, and perhaps a return to what made Star Wars truly special, will tell if the saga will rise once more from the ashes like a phoenix birthed from the twin suns of Tatooine.