The possibilities are infinite for Rian Johnson’s Star Wars trilogy but do not expect it to be set after the Skywalker saga. Disney has announced that the helmer of Star Wars: The Last Jedi will develop a new Star Wars trilogy, writing and directing the first instalment and overseeing the rest. While the company has not yet revealed a lot about the upcoming movies, they classify them as “separate from the episodic Skywalker saga” and this highlights how different they will be.
It represents a departure from the Star Wars game plan; even the anthologies have involved key characters (Solo), and events (Rogue One) lifted from the narrative. It gives Johnson a broad brushstroke with which he can paint the next movies. So, who are the “new characters from a corner of the galaxy that Star Wars lore has never before explored”? What will Johnson’s trilogy be about,? When will it take place?
These questions are complicated and will be answered in the coming months.
THE NEW TRILOGY WON’T FOLLOW-UP THE SKYWALKER SAGA
The galaxy has a few limits, with areas Lucasfilm seems reluctant to visit. Recently, the period between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens has been off-limits. It seems like Lucasfilm is blocking anything post-Battle of Jakku like George Lucas had shut down any Clone Wars tales before launching the prequel trilogy. The restrictions will prevent spoiling crucial moments, perhaps the revelations about the First Order’s origins, Snoke’s background and the link to the Unknown Regions.
You have more familial details regarding the fall of the Skywalkers that are being so very obviously avoided. Star Wars: Bloodline, which takes place six years before The Force Awaken and which Rian Johnson was involved in, mentions Ben Solo training with his uncle but does not disclose anything about the fall to the dark side. With an extensive period of lockdown, it is easy to conclude that Disney has something in mind for the 30-odd years.
After Rey, Finn, Poe, and KyloRen stood toe-to-toe with icons like Han Solo, there is an audience investment that will be crazy to not follow up in years to come with a further trilogy; it will be foolish to bench heroes and steer into unknowns. Lucasfilm head, Kathleen Kennedy had noted that they are “looking at narratively… future stories beyond Episode IX with these new characters“.
Nothing says Johnson’s adventures will not follow sequentially from Episode IX, but it is evident that it is a populated area, so placing them chronologically does not make sense. It impedes the potential development of this saga. If Disney intends to do well on the new and unexplored adventures, he will need another era to explore, leaving space for The Force Awakens‘new characters to breathe.
But if Johnson’s trilogy does not occur around the sequel trilogy, then when will it?
WHEN WILL THE NEW TRILOGY BE SET?
With a galaxy of ideas and corner unexplored, Rian Johnson may set his movies at any point throughout the unestablished history; much like CBS had placed Star Trek: Discovery before The Original Serie. The history angle, which was explored in Knights of the Old Republic and as Dark Horse comic’s Tales of the Jedi comics, frees this plot of the Skywalkers and gives free reign to the director; while the area is well-covered in Legends, he would be under no obligation to go near it.
Another way Johnson can play with expectations is by exploring a very familiar era from a different perspective or a remote location. Perhaps from a current perspective, he can start his tale in the Unknown Regions, where the First Order built the forces and where in-movie events have a bearing on the rest of the galaxy.
What both of the possibilities raise is the question of relevance; without a significant connection to the traditional tale, Disney may risk losing audiences to lack-of-interest.
Whether it is taking a cue from Legends material or staring with a cosmic tabula rasa, Johnson’s announced trilogy is a brand expansion, making Star Wars new. Having it exist in reference to what has come before risks being reductive. This is not a lore explanation but a bona fide epic.
If Lucasfilm wishes to expand beyond the chief players without losing the Star Wars flavor, Johnson can key in on unusual events from Legends. Take the OrduAspectu legend Kieron Gillen brought in his popular Doctor Aphra comic. The trick here, though, is introducing them to an audience without Darth Vader or Han Solo. Even without A New Hope connections, Rogue One had told a fascinating story with unrelated characters.
Johnson has a gift for characterization and weaving complex themes into the narratives. He has the largest, most recognizable sandbox in the galaxy to play within. “What” is bigger than “when“; Johnson can absorb the ambiance of the galaxy and explore new elements of the franchise.
