Part 3/12:
Similarly, the Star Wars franchise, once Disney’s crown jewel, appears to be hemorrhaging fan engagement. The third Skywalker trilogy, which started promisingly with "The Force Awakens" in 2015, rapidly declined in popularity, culminating in "The Rise of Skywalker" earning roughly half of what The Force Awakens made. Fan backlash over new creative directions—especially with the departure of beloved characters and the controversial handling by President Kathleen Kennedy—has contributed to this decline.