Part 6/12:
Behind the scenes, the financial situation is dire. Recent figures reveal that the supposed profit from the latest trilogy of movies might actually be a break-even at best once global marketing costs—estimated at around another billion dollars—are factored in. These marketing costs are not included in the box office figures but contribute significantly to the real expenses, making the movies barely profitable and sometimes outright loss-making.
By the time "The Rise of Skywalker" aired, audience engagement had plummeted, and merchandise sales had dried up. The once-vibrant ecosystem of Star Wars collectibles faded into legacy-only products, further demonstrating the franchise's waning influence.