The development of digital communication technologies and social net- works has shaped the current environment of media convergence. In this media landscape, an increasing number of films are evolving into serialized franchises, especially science fic...
The development of digital communication technologies and social net- works has shaped the current environment of media convergence. In this media landscape, an increasing number of films are evolving into serialized franchises, especially science fiction films. According to the global box office rankings, eight out of the top ten highest-grossing films are science fiction films, and all of them belong to science fiction franchises. These franchise films are capable of constructing unique and independent story worlds. As one of the most influential and well-known science fiction franchises, the <Star Wars> series has built an extensive and richly detailed story world through various media formats, including film, television, games, novels, and comics. Furthermore, it has cultivated a large and diverse global fan base.
In the context of media convergence, the construction of story worlds has transcended the limitations of a single medium and is moving toward a transmedia approach. Story worlds can now be disseminated and ex- panded through multiple media forms, such as film, literature, games, comics, and social media. This transmedia storytelling approach provides a broader imaginative space for story worlds and offers audiences a richer and more immersive experience. As a result, contemporary audi- ences are increasingly dissatisfied with content delivered through a single medium. Instead, they actively select to engage with the elements that interest them across different media platforms and texts. Science fiction franchises, as a genre, have a particular advantage in transmedia storytelling. As a speculative genre, science fiction allows creators a wider creative space. Moreover, science fiction often serves as a meta- phorical reflection on contemporary society, technological advancements, and the human condition. This deeper social critique and exploration of future possibilities make science fiction works more capable of provoking thoughtful reflection among audiences. Additionally, science fiction typically addresses abstract and universal themes, such as technological contemplation, human exploration, and moral dilemmas, which can transcend cultural differences and attract a global audience from diverse backgrounds. This cultural resonance provides favorable conditions for the international dissemination of science fiction franchises.
This paper explores the key elements of constructing transmedia story worlds in science fiction films, focusing primarily on the <Star Wars> franchise. This paper examines the construction mode of story worlds in science fiction films, including the generation of story worlds, the ex- pansion of narratives and transmedia after the generation of story world
and the important role of fan participation. These three elements pro- vide a solid foundation for building a theoretical framework for trans- media storytelling while offering new perspectives and insights on how science fiction films can better construct story worlds. The success of the <Star Wars> story world serves as a valuable case study for this research. By comparing the portrayal of characters, narrative threads, and world-building elements in Star Wars across different media, this paper analyzes the role of transmedia storytelling in expanding and enriching the <Star Wars> story world.
This paper argues that examining how the story world constructed by the <Star Wars> series expands outward in terms of narrative and trans- media, and discovering the close connection between the medium and the audience, can summarize a transmedia narrative development model of science fiction films, and provide new perspectives on the transmedia
construction of story world in science fiction film. Consequently, this research is of great significance and value. It not only aims to contribute to academic theories, but also can provide empirical and practical in-sights for the industry and cultural sectors.