Since the beginning, opening crawls have been an essential part ofStar Wars, having been seen most recently in the new TV showStar Wars:Skeleton Crew- though they were never used inThe Mandalorian. Yellow text floating through space was the first image audiences ever saw of theStar Warsgalaxy, and since then has become something riffed on in almosteveryStar WarsTV show and spin-off movie. These brief summaries set up each installment efficiently and stylishly.
This idea comes from old story serials George Lucas liked as a child, which would include this background information to feel like one chapter of a larger story. This became more important as more films were released, with these opening text crawls containing continuously essential information for the plot of the film. Now thatStar Warshas continued this trend with its newer TV shows, it’s worth asking whyThe Mandaloriannever participated in this classic franchise tradition.
Ahsoka Started Star Wars' New TV Show Opening Crawl Trend
A Distinct Red Opening Crawl
Almost 4 years afterThe Mandalorianfirst aired,Ahsokabrought fans the first opening crawl outside theStar Warsmovies, although it didn’t seek to completely mimic what came before. To distinguish the series from those films, it incorporates elements ofSolo: A Star Wars Story’s blue opening text into its aesthetics. Thus, it’s not angled like Skywalker saga opening crawls, and is in a different color: red.
Ahsoka’s Opening Crawl Breakdown: Why It Has One, Why It’s Red & What It Sets Up
Star Wars' Ahsoka show surprisingly has an opening crawl, teasing the return of Grand Admiral Thrawn and setting up big events for the saga’s future.
AfterAhsoka, the next live-action series,The Acolyte, also had something like an opening crawl, with blue text explaining the era and setting up the series.This was necessary becauseThe Acolytetakes place in a completely new erato onscreenStar Wars. This, however, was also true forThe Mandalorianat the time of its release, so why did the series not necessitate its own opening crawl, or even opening text likeSkeleton CreworSolo?
The Mandalorian Didn’t Need An Opening Crawl… At The Time
A New Era In Two Ways
When it was released,The Mandalorianwas the first ever live-actionStar Warsseries. It wasn’t in competition with any other series set in a separate era, and it takes place soon after the original trilogy, the most popularStar Warsstories ever. Thus,The Mandaloriandidn’t even need an opening crawl.
On top of that,the series' premise is so clearly communicated through both its opening sequence and the audience’s knowledge ofStar Wars. It hinges on fans' general knowledge of the saga. This has become more complicated with the many new TV shows taking place across over a hundred years of theStar Warstimeline. The question now remains, though, if the upcomingStar WarsmovieThe Mandalorian and Groguwill retain this, or include an opening crawl or text.
The Mandalorian and Grogu
Cast
The Mandalorian and Grogu is a Star Wars movie directed by Jon Favreau that continues Disney+’s immensely popular TV Show, The Mandalorian.
