The Way forward for ‘Star Wars’ Might Not Be as Linked as We Count on

Top-of-the-line, and worst, issues about Star Wars lately is simply how connected everything has been. It meant characters who could have at first appeared tangential, like Cassian Andor in Rogue One, might be tremendously expanded in something like Andor. It additionally meant audiences who had by no means watched an animated present like Clone Wars or Rebels is perhaps left confused with the tales in something like Ahsoka. In these circumstances and others, there all the time appeared to be some form of guardrails on what was potential in a galaxy far, far-off. However, if a brand new quote is to be believed, that may be changing.

Not too long ago, Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy spoke at a screening of the unique Star Wars in London (you can read about the event here) and he or she commented on how the way forward for Star Wars is shifting from the interconnectivity that has pushed the latest historical past of Star Wars.

“I actually assume that now we’re able the place it’s broadened the opportunity of tales and filmmakers we are able to usher in to inform tales that imply one thing to them,” Kennedy mentioned on the occasion. “It doesn’t essentially have to connect with each little factor thats been achieved in Star Wars; it could actually truly be a standalone story that then builds into many, many different tales.”

The primary instance of that is Star Wars: Starfighter, the 2027 launch that begins filming in September. Shawn Levy directs, Ryan Gosling and Mia Goth star, and whereas we don’t know the specifics of the plot simply but, everybody has been insistent that the story is standalone and is unlikely to connect with the rest within the Star Wars universe. Which is simple because it takes place 5 years after the occasions of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

That’ll be more durable for different upcoming Star Wars initiatives equivalent to Ahsoka season two, which is presently filming, and The Mandalorian & Grogu, which might be out in Might. These will, clearly, be linked to different tales, as will different confirmed initiatives such because the Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy Rey film and Dave Filoni’s Shadow of the Empire film. The movies that appear to talk extra to Kennedy’s assertion are James Mangold’s Daybreak of the Jedi film, which is able to happen millennia earlier than another Star Wars story, and Simon Kinberg’s trilogy, which is alleged to be the following part of the general Star Wars story. Additionally, perhaps the Taika Waititi film that’s nonetheless within the works.

The important thing to Kennedy’s assertion, although, is the tip of it. To reset itself, to make itself into the facility it as soon as was, Star Wars wants recent faces and tales, which may solely be achieved by means of distinctive, unique. standalone tales. From there, although, these concepts must “construct into many, many different tales.” So the thought is sort of a reset in order that they will get again to the place we’ve been the final 10 years or so. The interconnective nature of Star Wars isn’t going away, it’s simply being rebuilt.

Are you assured Kennedy is telling the reality right here? Will these new Star Wars motion pictures be standalone? Or will that, in a roundabout way, harm the franchise? Tell us beneath.

Need extra io9 information? Take a look at when to anticipate the newest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s subsequent for the DC Universe on film and TV, and the whole lot you have to learn about the way forward for Doctor Who.