It’s who you know in Hollywood that gets you ahead, and, according to a new report, that’s partly whySimon Kinbergwas chosen to create a brand newStar Warstrilogy. Fans were blindsided last week when it was unofficially announced that a new trilogy isin the works at Disney and Lucasfilm.Kinberg, who has written and produced acclaimed films likeMr. & Mrs. Smith,Logan,The Martian,andX-Men: Days of Future Past, and forgettable duds likeFantastic Four(2015) andX-Men: Dark Phoenix,will be overseeing Episodes 10-12.
According to a new report fromVariety, it wasSimon Kinberg’s long-running establishment to theStar WarsIP, and executives Dave Filoni and Carrie Beck,that landed him the position in the cockpit for the new trilogy. Kinberg also served as a writer and executive producer on the critically acclaimedStar Wars: Rebelsseries. However, it wasLucasfilm president, Kathleen Kennedy, who reportedly recruited Kinberg and offered him the job.
It’s not just fans who are skeptical of Simon Kinberg’s involvement, as the writer/producer isrumored to be “a considerably risky bet” by insiders,mainly due to his involvement withDark Phoenix(as a writer and producer) andThe New Mutants(as a producer). The report also suggested that Kinberg’sStar Warstrilogy was a closely held secret at Disney, andwas nowhere near ready to be announced to the public.Per the report:
“The project is considered internally to be in deep development and not nearly ready to be made public.”
Will Simon Kinberg’s Star Wars Trilogy Continue the Skywalker Saga?
Star Warshas become one of the most divisive sci-fi franchises of all time — as the old saying goes, “No one hatesStar Warsmore thanStar Warsfans.” While a portion of the fan base who disagree with the direction Disney has taken the franchise are adamantly opposed to a new trilogy, the optimists among the demographic are eager to see what Kinberg will bring to the table. While all the reports and rumors cite Kinberg as the creative force behind the new trilogy, none can agree on the trilogy’s plot. Some have speculated that the fourth trilogy will be acontinuation of the Skywalker Saga(following the most boring characters in the franchise). Meanwhile, other reports are claiming that Kinberg’s films will focus on a new group of characters.
Newly Announced Star Wars Trilogy Proves Disney and the Fans Aren’t on the Same Page
Another new Star Wars trilogy has been announced, but is this what the franchise needs right now, and can it turn expectations around?
According to the latest report from Variety,even Simon Kinberg is unsure.The scripts are in the earliest stage of development imaginable, and Disney, Lucasfilm, and Kinberg are all currently deciding on the best approach. In the words of the report:
“Studio insiders also stress that, while media reports have claimed that Kinberg’s Star Wars movies will continue the Skywalker Saga as Episodes X, XI and XII,the films are in their most nascent stage.”
While Luke, Leia, and Anakin/Darth Vader Skywalker are by far the most recognizable characters in the franchise, having had nine movies made about them, it might be time for the franchise to move on and find a new set of Jedi, Sith, or even Gray Jedi. After all, the galaxy is a massive, ever-expanding place, so why isStar Warsso focused on a small group of people?
