Did J.J. Abrams try to preserve Star Trek or Star Wars or did he try to end both franchises?

It is undoubtedly deeply unlikely that J.J. Abrams would seek to destroy two of the biggest pop-culture franchises since doing so would destroy his career. Moreover, it is equally unlikely that CBS and Disney would knowingly allow anyone to sabotage key franchises under their ownership, which are critical components of their future growth. Even Benioff and Weiss, who demonstrated overeagerness with their disastrous final season of Game of Thrones, likely do not share Abrams’ ambition to prematurely conclude complicated storylines.

Stellar Success

While Abrams is not a creator of these franchises, he has consistently delivered hit movies, creating and sustaining a particular formula. However, his formula does not work particularly well creatively with franchises he did not create, such as The Rise of Skywalker, which undid the most significant achievements of The Last Jedi. It rejected the idea that the galaxy and the Force do not revolve around Palpatine and the Skywalkers. Despite this, the Abrams films are commercially successful. The Rise of Skywalker was a huge commercial success, one of three in the final imagined trilogy.

Legacy of Star Trek

Concerning Star Trek, Abrams’ films have had a significant impact. They were a necessary precondition for the second golden age of Trek. If the Abrams films had not proven that Star Trek was still a commercially viable franchise, what else could have happened? Could Trek have even died in the way of Babylon 5 and Stargate? Abrams achieved commercial success for Star Trek, opening the door for new series, such as The Mandalorian, to compete with existing stories.

Challenges for New Series

The success of the Abrams films places a significant challenge on creators and fans of new series like The Mandalorian. These new series must prove themselves in a market where the Abrams films have set a high bar. However, the success of Star Trek: Picard has been a boon, making the story of the Romulan supernova comprehensible and thus making the anger of Romulan Nero against the Federation much more understandable. This achievement is commendable, but Nero should have been comprehensible within his own film.

The Franchise’s Dilemma

While Abrams’ ill-fitting formulas may have created problems for the franchises he was involved with, he was at least commercially successful for them. His endeavors have ensured the continued life and prosperity of both Star Trek and Star Wars, even if his creative approach has sometimes been questioned.

In conclusion, J.J. Abrams has succeeded in preserving the legacy of Star Trek and Star Wars. His films have ensured the franchises’ commercial viability and longevity, even if they have not always been hailed as the most innovative or creative. As the franchises continue to evolve, his legacy as a key figure in their ongoing success is undeniable.