J.J. Abrams’Star Wars: The Force Awakenswill debut on December 18th and kickstart a new slate that rotates between trilogy installments and standalone anthology films with each new year. It’s clear on the surface how these stories will differ from each other — while the trilogy films will continue the main storyline centered around the Skywalker family, the anthology films feature new characters in separate stories in the galaxy far, far away. In terms of substance, Lucasfilm PresidentKathleen Kennedywent into further detail in a recent interview.
Speaking with/Film, the head of the House ofStar Warsfirst explained that the anthology films “can be a wide variety of genres inside theStar Warsuniverse,” not unlike Marvel’s approach to its cinematic universe —Captain America: The Winter Soldieris a political thriller,Ant-Manis a heist film,Guardians of the Galaxyis a space opera, etc. While she said this is true ofStar Warsto “a certain extent,” Kennedy wouldn’t go too far in linking these approaches.
So far,Gareth Edwardsis helmingRogue One, whilePhil LordandChris Millerare attached to the Han Solo movie. Given the variation in filmmakers and their respective casts, the anthology films have “a different sensibility” than the trilogy. This is reinforced by the fact that they are not necessarily prequels or franchise builders. Kathleen explained:
It just so happens to beRogue Oneis the precursor to New Hope and, yes, this Han Solo idea but I would not argue that we are setting up any kind of prequel notion with these standalone movies. I think that’s so far just coincidence. And to be perfectly honest, we have changed the order of those at the last minute, so that’s not the intention at all.
Kennedy and her Lucasfilm family are still busy mapping out this new path forStar Wars.The Theory of Everything’sFelicity Jonesis leading the pack ofRogue One, while Lord and Miller’s film reportedlyauditioned thousands for the roleof young Solo. There’s also at least one more standalonethat needs a directorand cast.
