…or so they say. This feels like another of a long list of empty reports and official announcements from Lucasfilm. It’s important to note that this news wasn’t an official announcement but rather a report that has been partially disputed by various insiders.
Simon Kinberg is certainly a name in Hollywood. He has a lot of credits on his resumé, being named as a producer on nearly all Fox X-men films but his latest outings have been rather lackluster. He made his directorial debut with X-Men: Dark Phoenix which was a critical and monetary bomb. His next film was The 355 which is coincidentally the approximate number of people who watched that movie. Another bomb on his resumé. This isn’t the worst news in the world though certainly a cause for trepidation. It’s been 5 years since we had Star Wars on the big screen and that unfortunate trend will go on for a few more years until the release of Mandalorian and Grogu. If Kinberg can get one thing done it’s putting movies out regardless of success. I don’t know how he keeps getting work like this. It feels like failing upwards and I’m not sure how many fans will be hyped for a Kinberg steered trilogy. I do believe he’s a legit Star Wars fan. He was a producer in rebels but seemed to be distant after the first season which was widely recognized as the least interesting of the shows season. I don’t think being a Star wars fanatic should be a requirement by any means considering Tony Gilroy(Andor) has given us some of the most exceptional storytelling in this galaxy and he’s never appeared to be a pillar of deep Star Wars fandom.
That being said, if Simon is not in the directors chair, this could end up being a turning point for Star Wars. I have never shied away from claiming The Force Awakens as my favorite Star Wars film. It’s the inspiration to the namesake of this site after all. Regardless sod your feelings for the sequel trilogy I think most believe that Daisy Ridley did some exceptional work in those films as Rey for what she had to work with and given a more concise narrative and through line, she could lead more Star Wars films to success. I have my doubts whether this trilogy will ever see the silver screen. I need more hands to count the amount of projects reported on or officially announced that have been quietly packed away in the closet to never be seen or heard of again. Just off the top of my head it’s quite a long list so bear with the following list.
Cancelled Projects: Patty Jenkins Rogue Squadron, Taika Waititi project, Benioff and Weis trilogy, Rian Johnson trilogy, Kevin Feige movie, Boba Fett movie (produced by Kinberg), and so on. Done even get me started on the list of directors fired before or during production of the Star Wars films that have actually been released.
I don’t mean to be a downer here. My point is that the odds are not in favor of this trilogy ever hitting moviegoers eyes. I miss Star Wars on the big screen. I miss going to the movies and seeing the opening crawl, hearing that timeless John Williams score. I sincerely hope that in a few years Daisy Ridley and John Boyega are staring in episode X along with a new cast of hopeful unknowns but until the day I’m sitting in my local IMAX with a large bucket of corn and the opening crawl fading to a starry sky, I will be skeptical. Let me know how you feel about this news in the comments below!
