The Vanity Fair Star Wars article from today is full of information on the live-action TV wing of the galaxy, but it also dropped a few insights into the state of the Star Wars film-verse, and it’s still looking shaky in terms of confirmed projects and upcoming release dates. In fact, one of the big reveals confirms that a previously announced trilogy is currently in stasis.
Rian Johnson’s Star Wars Trilogy
Lucasfilm announced that Rian Johnson was getting his own Star Wars trilogy before The Last Jedi hit theaters, and then the fan backlash kicked in and not has been officially said about it since. That changes today thanks to VF, which featured a section of the state of Star Wars movies, and it sounds like Rian’s trilogy isn’t going anywhere anytime fast.
“Rian has been unbelievably busy with Knives Out and the deal that he made at Netflix for multiple movies.”
Kathleen Kennedy – VF
What makes the prospects of Rian doing a trilogy even more bleak is the fact that Kennedy doesn’t even like the term trilogies anymore.
“I hesitate to use the word trilogies anymore because Star Wars is much more about persistent storytelling.”
Kathleen Kennedy – VF
A portion of the fan base is probably relieved by this news, while others are more than likely dismayed that another previously announced Star Wars film project seems dead before it even got to a legit planning phase.
Taika’s and Kevin Feige’s Star Wars Project
The article doesn’t have any direct quotes on Taika’s project, but it does make it sound like it’ll now release before Patty Jenkins’ Rogue Squadron, which was supposed to drop December 2023, but that now sounds very unlikely.
A movie from Jojo Rabbit’s Taika Waititi and 1917 screenwriter Krysty Wilson-Cairns will likely arrive first, with Rogue Squadron from Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins further off.
VF
It also touched on the possibility of Kevin Feige making a Star Wars film, but Kennedy got a bit cryptic on that front.
“I would love to see what movie he might come up with, but right now, no, there isn’t anything specifically.”
Kathy Kennedy – VF
To be honest, this article doesn’t leave a strong sense that Star Wars films are in a great place right now. Timelines seem blown up from previous commitments, and there is nothing too concrete outside of Rogue Squadron, which at least has a title. It does seem like for now Star Wars TV is King, while the film side of things is trying to recapture whatever magic Lucasfilm thinks it has lost.
Nick and I will talk more about the state of Star Wars films on today’s episode of the SWTS, so don’t forget to tune into the Star Wars Time Show on a weekly basis via our podcast platforms or via YouTube if you prefer the livestream angle.
