Starfighter Will not Function Any Legacy Characters (That is A Good Factor)

What in the event that they made “Star Wars” film once more? That is a slight oversimplification of the filmmaking course of, I do know, however the level stands anyway. Over six years faraway from the disastrous “The Rise of Skywalker” in 2019, Lucasfilm is lastly gearing up for its long-overdue return to the large display screen with “The Mandalorian and Grogu.” The spin-off film may charitably be described as a “protected” alternative, nevertheless, given its dependence on a longtime Disney+ model. The actual take a look at of this subsequent period of the house opera sequence comes with subsequent yr’s “Starfighter,” director Shawn Levy’s entrance to this galaxy far, far-off.

For the primary time since outgoing president Kathleen Kennedy took over the property in 2012, a “Star Wars” film should sink or swim by itself deserves — with out counting on its connections to George Lucas’ unique trilogy. That is a frightening prospect, even for a manufacturing starring Ryan Gosling and with the director of “Deadpool & Wolverine” calling the pictures. However the place the latest sequel trilogy and (comparatively) standalone films like “Rogue One” had the good thing about established franchise characters to attract audiences in, the inventive crew behind “Starfighter” is embracing a brand new problem … and emphasizing that issues will probably be totally different, this time round.

In an interview with Display screen Rant, “Starfighter” author Jonathan Tropper clarified one thing that had already been assumed concerning the new movie. Whereas selling the Prime Video movie “The Wrecking Crew,” Tropper addressed the query on all our minds. Briefly, do not count on Deus Ex Pressure Ghost Luke Skywalker to pop in and save the day:

“I am so cautious to not reveal something, however primarily, I believe it is recognized that we now have no legacy characters. You are not going to see any of the characters you have seen within the different films.”

A new “Star Wars” journey centered totally on new characters in new settings as an alternative of regularly attempting to attain nostalgia factors? What an idea! “Starfighter” has the potential to lastly drag the franchise into wholly unfamiliar territory, which might be a rarity when in comparison with virtually each main function launched in theaters — even courting again to George Lucas’ unique films. The assorted reveals have been way more profitable on this regard, first with “The Mandalorian” and persevering with by way of “The Dangerous Batch,” “The Acolyte,” and “Skeleton Crew.” (Regardless of some apparent legacy connections, we’ll additionally embrace the boundary-pushing “Andor” on this religious membership.)

However earlier than any misguided followers begin marching on Lucasfilm headquarters, that is to not suggest something untoward about how “Starfighter” will match into the general canon. Screenwriter Jonathan Tropper (recognized for 2017’s underrated “Kodachrome,” “The Adam Challenge,” and the Apple TV+ sequence “Your Pals & Neighbors”) went on to explain how this new expertise will nonetheless stay according to what we all know and love about “Star Wars.” “Clearly, lightsabers are part of that universe and that a part of that galaxy,” he defined. “So there are specific issues which can be nonetheless hallmarks of ‘Star Wars’ that it is good to have in there. However greater than that, I can not say.”

With a solid as promising as this one and a post-Skywalker Saga setting (hopefully) unencumbered by any pre-established lore, “Starfighter” has all of the potential within the galaxy to fly sky excessive. After the divisive sequel trilogy, there’s just about nowhere to go however up. “Starfighter” will hit theaters on Could 28, 2027.