Star Wars is a franchise known for having a strict set of rules, but this viral TikTok video using a clip from The Empire Strikes Back proves that, long before Disney bought Star Wars, the franchise wasn’t following its own rules. Because George Lucas was focused on guaranteeing continuity in Star Wars movies and TV shows, he had a long list of rules that he wanted all new additions to the franchise to adhere to. Among those rules were no paper, no zippers, and (originally) even no underwear. In recent years, Disney Star Wars projects have been harshly criticized for breaking Lucas’ rules.

Yet, this viral Star Wars video proves that, even with George Lucas at the helm, Star Wars was breaking its own rules as early as the original trilogy. The video, posted by 4thelore on TikTok, shows Luke Skywalker zipping up his suit in The Empire Strikes Back, making it clear that this rule was broken whole decades before Disney took over the franchise.

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In addition to pointing out that zippers have indeed appeared in Star Wars, this video reveals that there’s a fair bit of hypocrisy in the flak Disney Star Wars gets for breaking the franchise’s rules.

Star Wars Was Breaking Its Own Rules From The Very Beginning

Lucas’ Intentions With The Rules Make Sense, But They Weren’t Exactly Followed

It makes sense that George Lucas would establish such strict rules at first. After all, he was attempting to create an entire galaxy and clearly hoped from the beginning that Star Wars would blow up into a mᴀssive franchise, just as it ultimately has. Just the sheer amount of worldbuilding Lucas had to do in the original trilogy makes his rationale for having such specific (at times even a little ridiculous) rules clear.

Even so, Star Wars has rather obviously been breaking these rules for decades. In fact, just in The Empire Strikes Back alone, there were dozens of choices made that, these days, would cause intense backlash and controversy. In that movie, a brand-new lightsaber color was introduced, new Force powers in Star Wars were used—some of them rather surprising, and one of the most shocking plot twists of all time occurred. This raises questions about why Disney Star Wars specifically is criticized so heavily for breaking the franchise’s rules.

Why Is Disney Star Wars Constantly Criticized For Breaking Rules?

This Is A Consistent Complaint That Disney Hasn’t Been Able To Escape

Although it’s clear that the original trilogy also broke Star Wars’ rules—not to mention how many the prequel trilogy broke—it’s Disney Star Wars that is constantly criticized for ‘ruining’ the franchise by failing to uphold Lucas’ rules. One recent example of this was in Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, which included a paper scroll, thereby breaking the ‘no paper’ rule in Star Wars. Sadly, the heavy criticism for Disney Star Wars is about a lot more than just a bit of rule breaking.

Disney Star Wars has been unable to escape relentless backlash and controversy essentially with every new show or movie that comes out. It’s truly a shame, not only because it directly harms some new Star Wars projects and the actors, but also because it is simply exhausting for fans of the franchise who want to enjoy new shows and movies. This obsession with George Lucas’ Star Wars rules is just one more example of that, which is clear given no one cares all that much that The Empire Strikes Back used zippers.

Source: 4thelore