Which Star Wars was a flop? The Truth About The Last Jedi's Reception

The question of "Which Star Wars was a flop?" is a hot topic among fans, and for many, the immediate answer that comes to mind is Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi. Released in 2017, this installment of the Skywalker Saga certainly stirred up a galactic-sized debate, leaving a significant portion of the fanbase divided and many questioning its place in the beloved franchise.

Was The Last Jedi a Box Office Flop?

Let's get this out of the way first: The Last Jedi was NOT a box office flop in the traditional sense. Worldwide, it grossed over $1.3 billion. That's a massive amount of money and, by any other standard, a huge financial success. However, when you consider the immense marketing budget, the established brand power of Star Wars, and the fact that its predecessor, The Force Awakens, grossed over $2 billion, the numbers for The Last Jedi, while impressive, were seen by some as a dip.

Here's a breakdown of its box office performance:

Worldwide Gross: Approximately $1.333 billion.
Domestic (North America) Gross: Approximately $620 million.
Opening Weekend: Strong, but not record-breaking for the franchise at the time.

While $1.3 billion is undeniably successful, the significant drop in revenue compared to The Force Awakens, coupled with the vocal fan reaction, has led many to perceive it as underperforming, especially relative to expectations.

Why Was The Last Jedi So Divisive?

The controversy surrounding The Last Jedi goes far beyond its financial performance. The film's narrative choices and character reinterpretations struck a nerve with a large segment of the audience, igniting passionate debates that continue to this day. Director Rian Johnson took the saga in directions many fans did not anticipate or approve of.

Key points of contention include:

Luke Skywalker's portrayal: Many fans were deeply disappointed and felt betrayed by how the legendary Jedi Master was depicted. Instead of a wise, heroic figure, Luke was shown as a jaded, broken hermit who had given up on the Force and the Jedi Order. His actions, particularly his initial reluctance to train Rey and his ultimate sacrifice, were seen by some as out of character and undermining his legacy.
Rey's parentage: The reveal that Rey's parents were nobodies, "dying in a scavenger's grave," directly contradicted the fan theories that had been building since The Force Awakens, which speculated she was a Skywalker or a Kenobi. This felt like a narrative sidestep to some, while others appreciated the idea that anyone could wield the Force.
The handling of Snoke: The mysterious Supreme Leader Snoke, built up as a major villain in The Force Awakens, was unceremoniously killed off midway through the film with little explanation. This left many feeling that his character was a narrative dead end and that his threat was never fully realized.
The Canto Bight subplot: The extended sequence on the casino planet Canto Bight, involving Finn and Rose trying to acquire a codebreaker, was widely criticized for its pacing, perceived irrelevance to the main plot, and its heavy-handed moral message about war profiteering. Many felt it slowed the film down considerably.
Poe Dameron's arc: Poe's initial insubordination and his clash with General Leia Organa were seen by some as regressive for his character, undoing some of his heroic development from The Force Awakens.
The pacing and tone: Some viewers found the film to be tonally inconsistent, with jokes that felt out of place and a plot that felt overly busy and at times confusing.

Critical vs. Audience Reception

It's important to note the stark contrast between critical reception and audience reception for The Last Jedi. Critics, on average, gave the film glowing reviews. It holds a high score on Rotten Tomatoes from professional critics.

Rotten Tomatoes - Critics: 91%

Rotten Tomatoes - Audience Score: 43%

This massive discrepancy is unusual for a mainstream blockbuster, especially one as highly anticipated as a Star Wars film. The audience score, in particular, reflects the deep division and dissatisfaction felt by many fans. Online fan forums and social media were flooded with criticism, with many actively boycotting the film or expressing their disappointment. This level of negative fan reaction is arguably what solidified the perception of The Last Jedi as a "flop" in the hearts and minds of many, even if it wasn't a financial one.

Did it Impact Future Star Wars Films?

The polarizing reception of The Last Jedi undoubtedly had an impact on subsequent Star Wars productions. Many observers believe that the backlash influenced the direction of Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker, the final film in the sequel trilogy. The Rise of Skywalker, directed by J.J. Abrams, seemed to attempt to course-correct and address some of the criticisms leveled against The Last Jedi, bringing back Emperor Palpatine and attempting to tie up loose ends in a way that many felt was a direct response to fan desires, though it also received mixed reviews.

Ultimately, whether The Last Jedi was a "flop" depends on your definition. Financially, it was a success. However, in terms of fan reception and its impact on the franchise's narrative direction, its legacy is undeniably marked by division and controversy, leading many to consider it the most divisive, and in that sense, a "flop" for the franchise's unified narrative.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How did The Last Jedi perform financially compared to other Star Wars films?

While The Last Jedi grossed over $1.3 billion worldwide, which is a massive success, it did earn less than its predecessor, The Force Awakens, which surpassed $2 billion. This relative dip, combined with high expectations, contributed to some viewing it as underperforming.

Why did so many fans dislike Luke Skywalker's character in The Last Jedi?

Fans were accustomed to seeing Luke Skywalker as a beacon of hope and heroism. His portrayal in The Last Jedi as a disillusioned hermit who had abandoned his Jedi duties and the Force was a significant departure that many found jarring and inconsistent with his established character arc.

Was The Last Jedi a critical success or failure?

The Last Jedi was a significant critical success, receiving very high scores from professional film critics. However, it was a major point of contention among audiences, evidenced by its much lower audience score on review aggregation sites.