Jedi and Empire were written specifically around driving toy sales. And the reason we waited for 20 years for the prequels was because Lucas wanted the toy contracts to run out so he could get a bigger slice. Story took a back seat to merchandise from the very beginning. The man practically invented selling out.
Star Wars started as a cash grab, you were just too young to notice
I mean sure, in a “Hooker with a Penis” everyone has sold out kinda way.
Jedi and Empire were written specifically around driving toy sales. And the reason we waited for 20 years for the prequels was because Lucas wanted the toy contracts to run out so he could get a bigger slice. Story took a back seat to merchandise from the very beginning. The man practically invented selling out.