WhileStar Wars: The Last Jedigot the red carpet treatment atStar Wars Celebrationthis weekend with the unveiling of the first trailer, there are still only two moreStar Warsmovies definitively in the pipeline at the moment. Theuntitled Young Han Solo moviehits theaters next May, and the trilogy-cappingStar Wars: Episode IXhas a 2019 release date set. Beyond that, the future is uncertain. Obviously therewillbe moreStar Warsmovies, and Lucasfilm hadplanned to unveil a Boba Fett spinoffbefore directorJosh Trankfell off the project and the movie was put on ice, but right now the studio is remaining mum.
Which is not entirely surprising.Rogue Oneonly just hit theaters a few months ago, and that film was a major risk in terms of storytelling for Lucasfilm. Its success tells the studio that audiences will show up forStar Warsmovies that don’t involve the Skywalker family or even Jedi, and no doubt Lucasfilm’s story team—headed up by presidentKathleen Kennedy—are convening to map out where they want to go.
And indeed we may get a bit of clarity in a matter of months. Speaking withMTV’s Josh Horowitz, Kennedy said that they’re getting close to nailing down the next spinoff movie to followRogue Oneand Han Solo, and an announcement could come as soon as this summer:
“I think we’re getting close. My hope would be sometime around the summer. I never want to predict the creative process because it is its own thing, so we’re in the midst of those discussions right now.”
And while Horowitz had Kennedy’s ear, he wanted to clear up some confusion that arose recently when Disney CEOBob Igerteased that the Young Han Solo movie would reveal how the character “got his name,” leading some to believe we’ll learn Han Solo really isn’t Han Solo. But Kennedy says Iger’s comments were likely misconstrued:
“I’m not sure that that’s entirely what Bob meant. There’s more to Han Solo’s name, but it’s not that it’s not his name. It’s obviously his name. It will always be his name (laughs).”
As for whether the Skywalker saga will continue pastEpisode IX, Kennedy first confirmed thatIXdoes indeed conclude a classic trilogy structure:
“There’s no question that this is set up as a trilogy and that three-act structure of the set-up, the conflict, and the resolution very much is what we have planned.”
But beyondEpisode IX, Kennedy admits the Lucasfilm team hasn’t yet settled on whether the films will continue the story of Rey, Finn, etc., start a brand new story in a new era, or do something else entirely:
“It’s interesting you ask that, because I’m sure everybody would love for me to say, ’Oh yeah we’ve got this figured out for the next 20 years.’ No, we spend a lot of time talking, debating, watching, looking at what connects with ourselves, with the audience, all of that is a part of our decision-making. We’re asking those questions right now. We’ll make a decision soon.”
It’s nice to see Kennedy admitting that in the creative process, there is such a thing as uncertainty. Lucasfilm is taking its time to let the story evolve, to see howThe Last Jedicomes together and how that impacts whatever storyColin Trevorrowaims to tell inEpisode IX, and then they’ll decide where the saga might go. That’s not to say they’re flying blind, but they’re leaving room to explore every possibility instead of sitting down and writing a franchise bible, then sticking strictly to plan regardless of the story’s needs or audience’s wants.
Check out the full interview in the video below, and click here to catch up on all of ourStar Warscoverage thus far.
