Sequels just make more sense. They are cheaper, pull a large crowd, and help promote the franchise in general (i.e. sell more toy lightsabers and the "Special E

Sequels just make more sense. They are cheaper, pull a large crowd, and help promote the franchise in general (i.e. sell more toy lightsabers and the "Special Edition box-set"). They are also more predictable - you've got a better idea of both the costs, and the audience numbers. Hollywood has rarely had many great new ideas. Maybe a lot of good ideas get tested in TV series now. DVD sales of series are pretty big, and TV quality work is much better. You only really need movie-quality production for "awesome action scenes" now. Most TV production is good enough.