CfP: Chinese Star Wars: Vernacular Readings of a Global Multimedia Phenomenon2026.5.15 {en}

With the semicentennial of the first Star Wars approaching in 2027, it is evident that few other Hollywood blockbusters enjoy such broad cultural appeal and wide academic interest as Star Wars. In the scholarly literature, however, one theme and region is conspicuously absent: China.

The proposed volume Chinese Star Wars: Vernacular Readings of a Global Multimedia Phenomenon, edited by Damian Mandzunowski (Heidelberg University) and Nick Stember (Independent Scholar), sets out to shed more light on exactly these aspects. In its five decades, Star Wars has grown from three films into a wide-ranging multimedia franchise encompassing comic books, films, games, television, animation, and other forms of cultural expression. As such, it operates via a plethora of dissemination avenues which, by and large, need to adapt to a local context. Moreover, as a space fantasy built on tropes of knights, princesses, and feudal bloodlines, and one which is largely driven by nostalgia and legacy characters, Star Wars continues to struggle to connect with audiences in places like China, where “harder” science-fiction has historically been much more popular. At the same time, a dedicated Chinese Star Wars community exists not only in the PRC, but even more so in Hong Kong and Taiwan, with fans often favoring the Prequel Trilogy and the Expanded Universe/Legends for their intricate world-building and political narratives as well as the video games for the immersive nature, while largely ignoring the Sequel Trilogy. A study of all these processes, coupled with the diverse reception, readership, recollections, and impact (or lack thereof) of Star Wars in China, is to form the core subject of this edited volume.

We invite contributions that explore the interplay between the larger Star Wars universe(s) and the Chinese (re)production, consumption, and reception of it over the decades following 1977. We particularly welcome case studies and detailed explorations of overlooked artifacts, whether material or symbolic, as well as studies based on oral history. Transcultural approaches that critically engage with Chinese Star Wars phenomena are also highly encouraged.

In particular, we welcome papers on, but by no means limited to, topics such as:

Early reception history: historical accounts of the earliest reception of Star Wars in Guangzhou (via Hong Kong and Macau) and its circulation through bootleg channels before official distribution—especially oral history contributions from this period;
Chinese dimensions of Star Wars cosplay culture: these could include ethnographic and/or sociological explorations via oral history interviews, participatory study, and other innovative methods, especially of the 501st Legion Chinese Garrison;
Collecting, memorabilia, merchandise, and Star Wars toys, either from the aspect of their prominence in China, or from the point of view of their actual manufacturing, as already the very first Kenner figures were mass-produced in China;
The Expanded Universe in China: explorations of the role and impact of 1990s/2000s Star Wars book and comics series in China;
Sociocultural analyses of the Prequels: studies that explore the reception of the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy in China against the backdrop of the late 1990s sociocultural landscape;
Disney-era Star Wars: the reception of Disney-era Star Wars content, including most recent shows like Andor, and its intersections with discussions of authoritarianism in China;
Chinese web novel/web comic adaptations: analyses of official and unofficial Chinese web novel, web comic, or animated adaptations, variations, and official and unofficial expansions of the Star Wars universe;
Industry perspectives: contributions from individuals involved in the production side of Chinese Star Wars, including translators, poster artists, dubbers, and comic adapters;
Critical takes: examinations of the franchise’s reception in China, including the perceived impact (or lack thereof) of the original and sequel trilogies and discussions surrounding issues of biases within fan communities or adaptations;
The Taiwan / Hong Kong / Macau dimensions: how the reception of Star Wars differed in the larger Sinosphere, where the films received an official theatrical release;
Political readings: analyses of how political metaphors present in Star Wars (e.g., Vietnam War, Nuclear War, and Iraq War allusions from George Lucas’s original intent) have been received and interpreted within a Chinese context;
Linguistic/semiotic approaches: investigations into the challenges and strategies involved in translating Star Wars’ myriad names, languages, and technical terms into Chinese, as well as homemade translations, scanlation processes, and other aspects of the 1980s–2000s gray-zone Star Wars consumption;
IP, legal structures, and legal issues and challenges: the legal landscape of Star Wars in China, with a particular focus on bootleg and/or piracy culture, such as the smuggling and selling of pirated VHS, VCDs, or DVDs.

All other relevant topics are also welcome!

Read the full CfP in the attached PDF or here: https://chinacomx.github.io/update/CfPChineseStarWars.html

Please submit your proposal until Monday, 10 August 2026, (300 words), alongside your name, email, affiliation, and short bio (100 words), here: https://forms.gle/FwWk4cxKE3xQvZ7H8

We will inform you about acceptance by Monday, 31 August 2026; first chapter drafts are expected by Monday, 4 January 2027.

We aim for a balanced mix of academic rigor and engaging, insightful explorations of Star Wars lore “with Chinese characteristics.” Contributions should maintain an academic standard while also embracing a self-aware appreciation for the unique and often compelling nature of this transcultural phenomenon. While we are particularly keen to include papers that make use of Chinese language primary source materials, we are also open to contributions from scholars with areas of expertise outside of Chinese studies who nonetheless are interested in exploring Chinese Star Wars realms.

We intend to publish the edited volume as part of a designed publication series on the politics and practices of reading culture in China with a major academic publisher (preliminary spoken agreement reached) following a blind peer review system. We also hope to organize an online workshop and/or conference panel/roundtable with all contributors in the advanced stages of research and writing for an enhanced cohesion among the chapters.

More information at https://chinacomx.github.io/update/CfPChineseStarWars.html.

Source: https://networks.h-net.org/group/announcements/20150518/cfp-chinese-star-wars-vernacular-readings-global-multimedia-phenomenon, H-Net: Humanities & Social Sciences Online, licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 US.