Hero Blend #81: What Star Wars Can Learn From Comic Book Movies

(NOTE: Due to a scheduling conflict, this episode is coming to you one week after originally planned, but the conversation is just as valid!)

A couple months ago, when the final trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens dropped, we dedicated an episode of Hero Blend to dissecting what modern comic book movies can learn and take away from the great sci-fi franchise’s success and legacy. Well, this week we’re turning the tables a bit, and wondering what the future of Star Wars can learn from modern comic book movies.

After all, the world of blockbuster franchises has changed a great deal since both of the previous Star Wars trilogies, and the reality is that they’re meant to operate much differently than before. To keep up with fan demand, a new movie – if not two – is demanded every year. And those same fans don’t just one to see one hero’s story, but a look at an expanded universe full of different heroes with different perspectives. These are elements that have never really been expected from Star Wars before, and there are some lessons to be learned.

Joining me for this fun conversation is my fellow Cinema Blend editor Sean O’Connell, who joins me in enthusiasm for what the future holds for the space saga. Enjoy the show!

Eric Eisenberg
Assistant Managing Editor

Eric Eisenberg is the Assistant Managing Editor at CinemaBlend. After graduating Boston University and earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism, he took a part-time job as a staff writer for CinemaBlend, and after six months was offered the opportunity to move to Los Angeles and take on a newly created West Coast Editor position. Over a decade later, he's continuing to advance his interests and expertise. In addition to conducting filmmaker interviews and contributing to the news and feature content of the site, Eric also oversees the Movie Reviews section, writes the the weekend box office report (published Sundays), and is the site's resident Stephen King expert. He has two King-related columns.