If I got a crown every time Lucasfilm announced a new Star Wars movie, I’d already have about twenty crowns. Which isn’t much, but it’s weird that it’s happened so many times and we haven’t seen any of them yet. And now it’s happening again. The studio bought by Disney 12 years ago for 4 billion dollars (it was a lot at the time) has just hired the screenwriter, producer and failed director Simon Kinberg (he made X-Men: Dark Phoenix and Code 355) to write a new trilogy supposedly following the last one with Rey et al.
I’m writing hypothetically, because many sources say that it should be episodes X to XII, but others say that it should be a fresh start with new characters. Kinberg is not a completely new name in the Star Wars universe. Together with Filoni, he is responsible for the animated Rebels. As a producer, he participated in a number of successful and often very successful films, so if he were to stick to writing and producing while leaving the direction of the new trilogy to someone more talented, it might not be a bad choice. The problem is this:
Trilogy Riana Johnson (hanging in the stars)
A film about the beginnings of the Jedi by James Mangold (reportedly due next)
Sequel with Rey by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy (lost screenwriters, God knows what the status is now)
Film by Taiki Waititi (probably cancelled)
Film by Shawn Levy (announced, not canceled yet)
Film by Kevin Feige (emphasis on “someday, maybe”)
Lando movie by Donald Glover (series for a while, movie for a while, canceled for a while, then renewed again)
Rogue Squadron Patti Jenkins (cancelled, then reportedly renewed)
Mandalorian in Grog by Jon Favreau (premiered x years after the last season of the series, which ended unexpectedly)
That’s about fifteen films, including the newly announced Kinberg trilogy, that Lucasfilm has, or at least had, in development over the past few years. Some five years have passed since the premiere of the last Star Wars in cinemas. Add the mess in the series, when on the one hand the prized Andorbut whom no one followed, hated Acolyte with viewership similar to Andor, Mandalorianwhich Disney decided to make into a movie for some reason, lousy Boba Fettaverage Obi Wan (there is speculation about the next series), pretty good Ahsokaunpredictable Crazy bunch (Jude Law surrounded by a bunch of kids) and then traditional cartoons aimed primarily at children. What is missing, however, is any vision, coherence, unifying line, in short, a reason why people should be interested in the Star Wars universe, aside from hardcore fans and those who intend to curse anything new from this world.
Hard to say if Kinberg was tasked with making this up. At the moment, there is no guarantee that we will ever see his films. One of the most popular franchises, in short, Disney still has not managed to crack it in 12 years. Sure, they say nobody hates Star Wars as much as Star Wars fans. But looking at the previous lines, I’m not sure if Kathleen Kennedy isn’t pocketing them in this regard after all. Anyway, write in the discussion how you are looking forward to Simon Kinberg’s new films. I’m sure it will be brimming with optimism there.
The Galaxy Far, Far Away: A Comedy of Errors
If I got a crown every time Lucasfilm announced a new Star Wars movie, well, I’m pretty sure I’d be the King of England by now! With a royal treasury filled with shiny metallic headgear and a rather confused public wondering why William and Harry aren’t wearing them. It’s just bizarre! After 12 years since Disney shelled out a whopping $4 billion—back when that amount meant something!—the galaxy far, far away seems to be stuck in a continuous cycle of false starts and film phoenixes that refuse to rise from the ashes.
Simon Kinberg: The Chosen One?
Now, hold onto your lightsabers, because we’ve got Simon Kinberg stepping into the spotlight to pen yet another trilogy that may or may not follow Rey and Co. Honestly, I could use a translator for the Star Wars fandom’s complex hierarchy of excitement and despair! Everyone seems to have a different narrative on whether this is a fresh start or just more of the same flavorless Womp Rat stew we’ve been served in the past.
Kinberg’s got some credit in the Star Wars universe with the animated *Rebels*, but let’s be honest, his foray behind the camera in *X-Men: Dark Phoenix*—let’s just say that was less “Force Awakens” and more “Shove it in a Galaxy.” You know, if he sticks to writing and producing while handing the directing reins to someone else—maybe someone with at least a smidgen of talent—then we might just have a chance! Though, with the way things have been going, I wouldn’t be surprised if the next director was just a fan who jumped out of the audience at the Comic-Con Q&A.
The Endless List of Projects
“Hard to say if Kinberg was tasked with making this up… but one thing’s for sure: it’s a wild ride!”
Now, let’s take a moment to digest the film buffet that Lucasfilm seems to be offering—if only it came with a menu. There’s a veritable smorgasbord of projects in development, ranging from Rian Johnson’s Netflix-first trilogy (which is still apparently “hanging in the stars”) to James Mangold’s *Origins of the Jedi*, which sounds like the kind of spin-off nobody asked for but we’ll end up watching anyway (with a side of popcorn, of course).
And let’s not forget Taika Waititi’s mystery film, rumored to be in development hell, or the Lando movie—which nobody can seem to decide is a series, a movie, or a hologram from the ninth dimension. It’s a bit like a bad game of musical chairs, isn’t it? Where no one’s left standing, and everyone goes home disappointed.
The Confusing Landscape of Star Wars
And here we sit, five years after the last cinematic outing of our beloved Star Wars! Meanwhile, we’ve got shows like *Andor*, which pulled off a miracle by being critically acclaimed but not watched (the perfect combination to get you canceled—ask *Firefly*). *Mandalorian* turned into a film for reasons none of us can quite fathom—too many characters and too many timelines, and Disney seems to want to package it all as some kind of epic saga, but without, you know, an actual coherent story.
At this point, it’s safe to say that Disney still hasn’t cracked the Star Wars code. Sure, they say nobody hates Star Wars as much as Star Wars fans, but have you seen the comments? They’d make even the toughest stormtrooper cry! Kathleen Kennedy is out here pocketing our grief like it’s her part-time job.
The Final Word
So, as we wait with bated breath (or, more like, muted skepticism), tell me, dear readers: how excited are you for Simon Kinberg’s new films? Are you secretly planning to build a shrine in your basement in anticipation, or are you living in the realistic hope that Disney might just figure out what storytelling is supposed to look like in a galaxy we’re all desperate to fall in love with again? Drop your thoughts below—because I’m sure it will be a bastion of pure optimism down there. Probably more so than Kinberg’s next pitch meeting, that’s for sure!
If I received a crown for every time Lucasfilm announced a new Star Wars movie, I would be the proud owner of around twenty crowns by now. While that may not seem like a monumental achievement, it is undeniably peculiar that despite all these announcements, we have yet to see a single film materialize. And now, once again, the cycle continues. Twelve years post-acquisition by Disney for a staggering $4 billion—an amount considered exorbitant at the time—the studio has appointed screenwriter, producer, and director Simon Kinberg, known for the critically panned X-Men: Dark Phoenix and Code 355, to develop a new trilogy that is rumored to pick up where the last saga left off, featuring beloved characters such as Rey.
Reports suggest that the upcoming trilogy could comprise episodes X to XII, but there’s also talk of it serving as a clean slate with entirely new protagonists. Although Kinberg is not an unfamiliar name within the Star Wars franchise—having co-created the animated series Rebels alongside Dave Filoni—his reputation as a filmmaker has been mixed at best. His involvement in multiple successful projects could bode well for this new venture, provided he focuses on writing and producing while handing the directorial duties to someone with greater expertise. Yet, the situation remains fraught with uncertainty.
Trilogy by Rian Johnson (currently in limbo)
A film about the origins of the Jedi from James Mangold (reportedly the next in line)
Sequel featuring Rey directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy (currently facing writer issues; status unknown)
Film by Taika Waititi (most likely canceled)
Film by Shawn Levy (announced, still not canceled)
Film by Kevin Feige (status: “someday, maybe”)
Lando movie led by Donald Glover (a series transformed into a movie, then shelved, and now revived)
Rogue Squadron by Patty Jenkins (initially canceled but reportedly back on track)
Mandalorian featuring Grogu by Jon Favreau (premiered years after the series concluded unexpectedly)
This amounts to roughly fifteen films, including the freshly announced Kinberg trilogy, that Lucasfilm has contemplated or actively worked on over the past few years. It has been nearly five years since the last film graced cinemas, and the situation with the series remains chaotic. On one hand, there’s the critically acclaimed Andor, which, despite its quality, failed to attract a sizable audience. On the other hand, Acolyte had similar viewership issues, coupled with the somewhat disappointing Boba Fett and the mediocre Obi-Wan series. While Ahsoka has received a warmer reception, and Skeleton Crew seems to be an unpredictable venture with Jude Law leading a group of young adventurers, there’s a persistent lack of clarity and unified vision guiding the Star Wars universe. Audiences are yearning for a compelling reason to engage with this galaxy far, far away, aside from the dedicated die-hard fans and those who approach anything new with skepticism.
Ultimately, it’s uncertain whether Kinberg has been given the creative freedom to craft this new direction. There’s currently no assurance that his films will even come to fruition. Despite being one of the most beloved franchises in cinematic history, Disney has struggled to find its footing in the last twelve years. Many fans would argue that no one is as critical of Star Wars as its own fan base, but looking back through the myriad announcements and developments, one has to wonder if Kathleen Kennedy’s handling of the franchise has left much to be desired. Regardless, we’d love to hear your thoughts on Simon Kinberg’s upcoming projects. I’m sure the discussion will be overflowing with optimism.
Ifteen projects swirling in the ether of Lucasfilm, showcasing the endless brainstorming sessions that have yet to yield a single rosé-colored lightsaber for fans to enjoy. As we wander through this galaxy of development hell, it’s hard not to feel that the force is out of balance.
Sure, projects like “Andor” generate critical acclaim, delivering a rich narrative filled with depth and complexity, yet they suffer from a serious lack of viewership. Meanwhile, the likes of “The Mandalorian” managed to capture public attention but seems poised to take on an uncertain film adaptation that raises more questions than it answers. And as for “Boba Fett” and “Obi-Wan,” let’s just say they’ve gathered more mixed reviews than a cantina band in an uptight bar.
With even the animated shows aimed at children struggling for cohesion in this cinematic universe, fans are left wrestling with the bigger questions. What exactly binds these stories together? Is there a vision, or are we just thrown into a chaotic narrative void? It’s as if we are missing a director’s log that would clarify the direction of this journey through space that feels increasingly erratic.
Kinberg’s upcoming trilogy might be seen by some as a light at the end of the tunnel, but his previous endeavors paint a more muddled picture. There’s a chance he could lend his experience from animated projects like “Rebels,” where he displayed some finesse for storytelling. But translating that to a blockbuster film trilogy is a different ball game, especially with the scrutiny fan expectations can unleash.
In the midst of this cinematic turmoil, here’s a thought: Perhaps it’s time for Lucasfilm to take a step back, reassess the narrative threads, and chart a more cohesive course into this beloved galaxy. Until then, we’ll all be waiting—some with excitement, others with trepidation—for Kinberg’s vision to unfurl in a climactic reveal that will either be met with cheers or jeers. The stakes have never been higher, and the fans, while passionate, are tired of being roped into yet another cycle of anticipation-laden heartburn.
So, how do you feel about all these projects? Are you a hopeful Jedi or a pessimistic Sith? Your insights are welcome—just remember to keep the lightsabers down to avoid any unnecessary dueling!
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