Could this be a big change for Star Wars?

The Internet has sparked a new era for online fandom, with surprising developments and innovative strategies emerging to counteract the negativity. A recent report from Variety delves into the rise of "toxic fandom" and its detrimental effects on beloved franchises like Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The report reveals that certain studios are turning to dedicated superfans to evaluate potential marketing materials, seeking insights into how these projects will be received by the broader fan community. Additionally, it discloses that some celebrities are undergoing specialized social media training prior to the release of their projects. The report follows the social media backlash against Star Wars: The Acolyte, the franchise's most recent live-action series, which premiered on Disney+ earlier this year and was abruptly canceled after one season due to racist, sexist, and derogatory comments. This phenomenon is particularly challenging for women involved in these major franchises, as highlighted by Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy, who emphasized the importance of inclusive storytelling despite facing personal attacks. Other franchises mentioned in the report include the Captain Marvel films, both of which faced sexist hate campaigns, and 2023's The Marvels, which unexpectedly underperformed at the box office. Various factors contributed to The Marvels' lackluster performance, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and marketing missteps. However, Disney CEO Bob Iger proposed a different perspective, attributing the film's challenges to insufficient on-set supervision during production. The industry's response to the rise of toxic fandom and the efforts to mitigate its impact underscore the ever-evolving nature of online fan communities and the creative strategies being employed to address these challenges. Studios Reportedly Assembling Franchise "Superfans" for Advice on Battling Toxic Fans (comicbook.com)