The Routledge Handbook to Star Wars

Edited by Lorna Piatti-Farnell, Angelique Nairn, and Justin Matthews

The Editors invite abstract submissions for The Routledge Handbook to Star Wars. Contributions are encouraged from scholars across disciplines, including film and media studies, cultural studies, sociology, history, gender studies, literature, and related fields, as well as from those engaging with interdisciplinary approaches.

Since the release of A New Hope in 1977, Star Wars has been a defining force in cinema and global popular culture. As the franchise marks its 50th anniversary in 2027, this Handbook volume seeks to reflect on and critically examine Star Wars not only as a ground-breaking cinematic entity but also as a transformative cultural phenomenon. From George Lucas’s mythic vision in A New Hope to the ever-expanding galaxy of sequels, spin-offs, series, and fandom, Star Wars has inspired generations of filmmakers, storytellers, scholars, and fans. Its influence on visual effects, narrative structure, transmedia storytelling, franchise economics, and fan culture has reshaped modern entertainment and the collective popular imagination.

In view of this wide-spread influence and impact, this Handbook aims to gather original scholarly essays that engage with Star Wars across its 50-year trajectory, assessing its enduring legacy, its evolving narratives, and its broader social, political, and technological impacts.

Suggested Topics (not limited to):

• The cinematic legacy of Star Wars and its influence on global filmmaking
• Innovations in visual and sound effects: from analog craft to digital mastery
• Lucasfilm, ILM, and the evolution of blockbuster storytelling
• Genre hybridity: science fiction, fantasy, western, samurai, and mythic traditions
• Star Wars and auteur theory: Lucas, Johnson, Filoni, Kennedy, and collaborative authorship
• The mythology of the Force: spirituality, philosophy, and psychology
• Star Wars and American identity: empire, rebellion, and political allegory
• Gender, race, and representation in a galaxy far, far away
• Fandom and participatory culture: conventions, cosplay, fan fiction, and online creativity
• Digital culture, memes, and the politics of fan expression
• Star Wars in television and streaming: from The Clone Wars and Rebels to The Mandalorian, Andor, and beyond
• Canon, Legends, and the politics of narrative control
• Transmedia storytelling, franchising, and the Disney era
• Star Wars in global contexts: translation, adaptation, and cross-cultural reception
• The future of the franchise: sustainability, innovation, and cultural legacy
• Design worlds and material culture: architecture, costuming, and production design in Star Wars
• Artificial intelligence, robotics, and posthumanism in the galaxy far, far away
• Ecocriticism and planetary imaginaries: environments, ecosystems, and resource politics
• Toys, collectibles, and nostalgia: the merchandising economy of Star Wars
• Gaming and virtual worlds: narrative adaptation, interactivity, and immersion


Please submit an abstract of 250-300 words (with an additional 150-word bio) to the attention of the editors: Professor Lorna Piatti-Farnell, lorna-piatti-farnell@sae.ac.nz, Associate Professor Angelique Nairn, angelique.nairn@aut.ac.nz, and Justin Matthews, justin.matthews@aut.ac.nz

The submission deadline for abstracts is 15 December 2025.