Disney seems to be rewriting the rulebook on two of its biggest crown jewels. For years, Marvel and Star Wars sat at the very top of pop culture, dictating what blockbuster cinema looked like. These stories built massive universes, turning comic book panels and sci-fi ideas into cultural landmarks.
But today, the winds are shifting. The magic of these franchises, which once felt untouchable, is slipping into something longtime fans have quietly feared for years.
The change feels jarring for fans who grew up idolizing Luke Skywalker or watching Tony Stark save the world with style. These sagas are still here, but they’ll never again resemble the ones that dominated the last few decades.
Why the Legends Started to Wobble
There was a time when both universes were bulletproof. Star Wars created an entire mythology in 1977, keeping momentum alive through its prequels in the late ’90s and early 2000s. Starting with Iron Man in 2008, Marvel became the juggernaut that climaxed with Avengers: Endgame.
But cracks are now evident. The Rey and Kylo trilogy divided loyal Star Wars fans, many of whom argued it lacked the heart of George Lucas’s vision. Marvel hasn’t fared much better recently.
Movies like Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, and The Marvels fell flat. They weren’t total disasters, but they lacked the spark audiences had come to expect.
Generations Growing Apart
Part of the issue comes from time itself. These franchises have been around for decades, guiding multiple generations through childhood and adulthood. What started as groundbreaking stories became family traditions, passed down from parents to kids.
But nostalgia isn’t enough to fuel the next chapter. Disney has its eyes on Gen Z. This younger audience isn’t craving the same epic gravitas that hooked fans in the ’70s, ’80s, or even the 2010s. Instead, they’re looking for characters who feel relatable, lighter, and yes, even a bit self-aware.
What the Future Holds
We already got a glimpse of what’s coming when Thor was shown playing Fortnite in Endgame. To many, that moment was awkward—proof Marvel would bend its world for a cultural wink. Now, expect more of that. Characters like Tom Holland’s Spider-Man, with his awkward humor and younger tone, are likely the blueprint for the MCU’s future.
The same could seep into Star Wars: younger, quirkier Jedi, funnier sidekicks, and storylines that trade moral weight for banter. It could win over Gen Z but risks losing the mythic depth that long defined the franchise.
A New Fandom Emerges
Whether fans like it or not, Disney is steering these worlds toward something new. Marvel and Star Wars once inspired generations to dream bigger and reach further. Now they’re evolving into reflections of a younger audience, complete with TikTok-style humor and social media energy.
The old days are over. The Marvel and Star Wars you grew up with aren’t coming back. Instead, prepare yourself: a new fandom is already here, shaping the future in unexpected ways.
