Good news for Disney Star Wars detractors. Star Wars created on Disney’s watch without the input of George Lucas can technically be written off as apocrypha.

Star Wars projects without Lucas’ direct involvement don’t meet the criteria for “G Canon,” which is the most authoritative and unchangeable Star Wars canon (until George himself alters it, that is.)

What is “G Canon” in Star Wars?

In the Star Wars universe, “G Canon” refers to the highest level of canon, encompassing elements directly created or approved by George Lucas himself.

This includes the original and prequel trilogies and any specific statements or scripts from Lucas. It stands above other forms of Star Wars media like books, comics, and TV shows in terms of authority. For example, events in the original Star Wars films (e.g., Luke Skywalker’s story) are G Canon, while some elements from expanded universe novels, which were not directly overseen by Lucas, are not.

This hierarchy ensures a consistent core narrative, with G Canon serving as the definitive source of Star Wars lore.

Why is Disney Star Wars not “G Canon?”

When Disney acquired Lucasfilm, they decided not to use George Lucas’s original treatments for the Star Wars sequel trilogy. Lucas had outlined his vision for Episodes VII, VIII, and IX, but Disney chose to develop their own storylines for these films. This decision led to a different narrative direction than what Lucas had originally intended for the continuation of the Star Wars saga.

In fact, Lucas infamously called Disney out as being “white slavers” in an interview with Charlie Rose.

He criticized the over-commercialization and lack of creativity in the industry, particularly under large corporations like Disney.

Lucas expressed concerns that the emphasis on market research and proven formulas stifled innovation and risk-taking, which he saw as essential to filmmaking. He lamented that this approach was contrary to the original spirit of Star Wars, which was about taking creative risks and telling unique stories.

This wouldn’t be the last time Lucas seemingly expressed displeasure over how Star Wars was being handled under Disney.

Lucas claims he “lost control of Star Wars” during a Virtual Speaker Series for The East Harlem School At Exodus House. Appearing alongside his wife, Mellody Hobson, chairwoman of Starbucks and President and co-CEO of Ariel Investments, George answered a student’s question regarding race relations in the Star Wars universe.

A 7th grader named Jeremiah asked “The world has changed so much since the first Star Wars movie, how do you think the changes in the fight for racial justice will impact the Star Wars universe going forward?”

To which Lucas responds “Uh, I don’t know. I mean, I’ve kind of lost control of Star Wars, so it’s going off in a different path than what I intended. But the first six are very much mine, and my philosophy. And I think that philosophy sort of, goes beyond any particular time, because it’s based on history, it’s based on philosophy, it’s based on a lot of things. And, you know, the first three basically tell you how democracy turns into a dictatorship and you end up with a tyrant, the Emperor. It’s very important now, where we are now in our political history.”

Coming from the Big G himself, Lucas only considers the first six Star Wars to be his. And that would technically mean that only those first six movies are “G Canon.”

The Indisputable Decline of Star Wars Under Disney.

When Disney got the reins of Star Wars, there was a lot of hype, especially with “The Force Awakens.” Initially, things looked good, but then it started going south.

The main issue? Fans had mixed feelings about the new movies, especially “The Last Jedi.” A lot of long-time Star Wars fans weren’t happy with how some of their favorite characters were treated, and it caused quite a stir. The whole situation got messier with the way the movie’s director and some media outlets responded to the fans’ complaints.

Then there’s the money side of things. Star Wars merch used to fly off the shelves, but that’s not the case anymore. After “The Force Awakens,” sales began to drop. Even the theme park expansion, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, which was supposed to be this huge attraction, didn’t pull in the crowds like they hoped. Compare that to Universal’s Harry Potter, which is still a massive hit, and you see the contrast.

Now, Disney’s strategy with Star Wars seems to be shifting more towards streaming shows on Disney+, probably because movies like “Solo” didn’t do too hot in theaters.

So, in a nutshell, Star Wars isn’t the unstoppable force it used to be. Disney’s got their work cut out to win back old fans and grab the attention of new ones.

Disney’s Star Wars is Kinda Like Disney’s Doug.

There’s a parallel between Disney’s handling of Star Wars and their handling of perennial favorite ’90s cartoon “Doug.”

“Doug” was a cartoon from Nickelodeon that Disney picked up and tried to put their own spin on. They changed the look of the characters and mixed up the setting. But hardcore “Doug” fans weren’t feeling it. The vibe was different from the original. Sure, it didn’t create as much buzz or drama as Star Wars, but it did show that even smaller changes can upset fans who loved the original.

Both cases show that messing with beloved stuff is tricky. Whether it’s a massive franchise like Star Wars or a cool, nostalgic cartoon like “Doug,” you’ve gotta be careful not to lose what made them special in the first place. Disney found out the hard way that whether you’re dealing with intergalactic battles or a regular kid’s life, fans want the heart of their favorites to stay the same.

Disney’s Star Wars is NOT G Canon. You’re Free to Ignore It.

If George Lucas himself is saying Disney has taken in a different direction than he would’ve, then it’s not “G Canon.” And if it’s not G Canon, it’s technically apocraphal.

Basically, fans are free to take or leave Disney Star Wars. And judging by the dropoff in the brand’s popularity, many people already have.