I’d love to see a story that follows through with George’s Sequel plans of showing the Whills and microbiotic world. I’m so fascinated by the Force and the lore surrounding it. I know I’m in the minority though and in turn know it most likely will never happen.
Ugh, no thanks. George had 30 years to do a Sequel Trilogy, but chose not to, and even denied there was ever going be one. Then got upset because the company who had just paid him $4 billion for Star Wars wouldn’t make and pay for his newly planned Sequel film ideas for him. To me, why would someone want to see those Sequel plans as a standalone film? It may be interesting to see someone else’s POV on the Force as a spinoff film, but not from George.
Star Wars is such an amazing sandbox, the stories you could come up with are so vast, from so many artists with so viewpoints, and contrasting styles. Now, be brave and don’t look back. Don’t look back.
I am eagerly anticipating Rogue Squadron, but would also see like to see a standalone film told from an Imperial POV. Or maybe from the POV of a group civilians and the impact that the Rebellion and Empire have on them.
Disney bought his Sequel treatments as part of the sale. They just chose not to use them.
I’m also sure George chose not to make them because he was waiting for the cast to age up for roles he had in mind for them in the stories he wanted to tell. The technology also hadn’t fully caught up to having CGI characters like we are getting now to deage them where neccessary. I’m equally sure the backlash from some fans took a toll on him. Why would he want to do more? Especially when some fans are going to tell him that he’s wrong and doesn’t know his own creation. Some fans just want the same kind of story they got with the Original Trilogy. They want something like a spaghetti western and to feel gritty like the first two to three films. George couldn’t make that anymore as he’d be compromising his principles by not experimenting with new ideas and interpretations of his work. These interpretations I find both respected what came before but always added to the mythos and lore.
I find the idea of exploring the Whills and Midi-Chlorians vastly more interesting than getting member berries and continued space westerns. I find it so much more interesting and intriguing exploring the Force and how it connects within a greater whole. It becomes even more painfully noticeable how it’s always been there and was always building to something that eclipses the entire universe the more you watch the films I-VI as he intended. The Yoda Arc in The Clone Wars is some of the best content in all of Star Wars during the George Lucas era. I don’t really feel that sense of wonder and experimentation that often with Disney era content. The exceptions are very, very rare. Today Star Wars feels designed more around what fans expect of the franchise instead of trying new things. I do find when they do try new things it’s mostly good on its own merits but doesn’t respect what came before nearly enough. It’s a very big problem with modern Star Wars for me. It doesn’t respect what came before and is instead designed to be like the Original Trilogy and is now starting to appeal to the Prequel Trilogy generation. This just doesn’t work for me. I don’t need to be pleased. I like being challenged and having my ideas of what Star Wars can be challenged in a way that respects what came before and even if it doesn’t neccessary respect things I can still appreciate it for trying to be something new.
I’m not really finding that experimental viewpoint yet but maybe one day soon as Star Wars: Eclipse does look promising. So we’ll have to wait and see. It’s not that I even hate what Disney is doing per say but it just doesn’t hit me in the same way. It’s more hit and miss compared to before. It’s quite the contrast but in the end I’m glad some fans are enjoying the content we’re getting. I wouldn’t want to take that away from them.
I hope Rogue Squadron is everything you’re hoping for and more.
Here’s one of my favourite video essays that explores some of why I’m also intrigued by George’s ideas in case you’re curious further: