New Star Wars movies are taking their cues from 007 – and I’m all for it
May the fourth be with you, 007
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Star Warshas found an unlikely inspiration as Lucasfilm eyes the next stage of its movie-based output:James Bond.
Speaking toEmpire magazine, Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy explained how 007 is influencing the iconic sci-fi series' next batch of films.
On the surface, it seems odd that the as-yet-titledStar Warsmovies, which were confirmed to be in development at Star Wars Celebration 2023, would take their cues from theJames Bondfranchise. As Kennedy reveals, though, it’s not so much the Bond film series' tone, aesthetic, or story beats that are influencing Lucasfilm’s new line-up of films. Instead, it’s simply a case ofwhenthey’re released in theaters.
“I’ve often brought up Bond [as an example],” Kennedy said. “That’s every three or four years, and there wasn’t this pressure to feel like you had to have a movie every year.
“I feel that was very important toStar Wars. We have to eventise this. It’s much better to tell the truth that we’re going to make these movies when they’re ready to be made, and release them when they’re ready to be released.”
The next phase of Lucasfilm’s film line-up will foregoStar Wars' traditional moviemaking method. The next four movies won’t follow the franchise’s trilogy-based format as each one will exist independent of the others.
James Mangold (Logan,Ford vFerrari) will direct a tale that depicts the very first Jedi, with the movie set 25,000 years before events of the Skywalker Saga. Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy (Ms Marvel) is working on the opposite end of the spectrum to develop a flick set 15 years afterThe Rise of Skywalker, which will see Daisy Ridley’s return as Rey as she begins setting up a new Jedi Order.
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Meanwhile, Dave Filoni – aStar Warsveteran who’s had a hand in many of the franchise’s best TV shows, includingThe MandalorianonDisney Plus– will bring the so-called Mando-Verse’s various storylines together for a climactic silver screen event film. It’ll serve as the culmination of the live-action Disney Plus shows, including forthcoming series likeAhsokaandSkeleton Crew, plusThe Mandalorian, and is likely to be one of the first newStar Warsfilms to arrive in theaters.
Filoni’s film isn’t expected to be the first Star Wars movie to launch theatrically sinceEpisode IX, though. PerDeadline, Taika Waititi’s unnamedStar Warsmovie is sure to lead the way, with the news outlet claiming filming will begin in 2024. You can read more about every newStar Warsproject that’ll debut in the coming years in ournewStar WarsTV shows and movies explainedguide.
Analysis: a welcome departure for a galaxy far, far away
Kennedy’s comments are sure to come as a relief to Star Wars fans and general moviegoers.
There’s no denying that the franchise’s most recent trilogy – comprisingThe Force Awakens,The Last Jedi, andThe Rise of Skywalker– could’ve been better. Yes, they were commercial successes, but the frenetic turnaround between each entry – there was only a two-year gap betweenEpisodes 7and8, and another two years betweenEpisodes 8and9– meant thatThe Last JediandThe Rise of Skywalkerfelt rushed, especially from a storytelling perspective with their interconnected narrative. Unsurprisingly, they’re two of the least highly-rated Star Wars films in existence.
That kind of turnaround is fine in the television space. After all, fans ofThe Mandalorianwere calling for its second season to be made as quickly as possible following the show’s critically-acclaimed first outing. And, even if the next season of a hugely popular Star Wars TV series, such asThe MandalorianorAndor, needs more development time, there are other shows being made alongside or around them that are ready to be released in the interim period. So, whileThe Mandalorianseason 4 won’t be with us for some time, we’ve gotStar Wars: Visionsseason 2 to watch (it made its Disney Plus debut today [May 4]), plusAhsokaandSkeletonCrew to look forward before the end of 2023.
It’s pleasing, then, that Kennedy and company are going back to basics with their filmmaking approach, and taking a page out of the Bond franchise’s notebook. TheDaniel CraigJames Bondmovieera is adored for its reinvention of the character and far grittier plots. But it was the gaps between each highly anticipated installment that helped to build excitement and get bums on seats when each one eventually arrived in theaters.
A studio like Lucasfilm needs fans to be excited about every newStar Warsmovie, and that means staggering their releases across a wider surface than before. In my mind, taking a more methodical approach to their development, and only releasing them when they’re ready, is the right plan to follow. On May the Fourth – the annual celebration of all thingsStar Wars– of all days, it sounds like we have 007 to thank for that.
For moreStar WarsandJames Bond-based coverage, find outhow to watch theStar Warsmovies in order, orhow to watch theJames Bondmovies in order(most of which are streamable now onPrime Video).
As TechRadar’s senior entertainment reporter, Tom covers all of the latest movies, TV shows, and streaming service news that you need to know about. You’ll regularly find him writing about the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and many other topics of interest.
An NCTJ-accredited journalist, Tom also writes reviews, analytical articles, opinion pieces, and interview-led features on the biggest franchises, actors, directors and other industry leaders. You may see his quotes pop up in the odd official Marvel Studios video, too, such as thisMoon Knight TV spot.
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