Damon Lindelof is reportedly writing a new Star Wars movie, and his experience as writer and creator of HBO's Watchmen makes him the perfect choice to pen the story. Lindelof's catalog is extensive, also serving as writer and creator of other acclaimed series like Lost and The Leftovers. Lindelof has experience in the writer's room with an adjacent sci-fi franchise as well, co-writing the script for Star Trek Into Darkness. Although his track record is impressive, it's Lindelof's involvement with Watchmen that is of paramount importance if his Star Wars project is to succeed. Lindelof's Star Wars movie is set after the sequels, presenting an enticing opportunity to build on existing storylines while fleshing out a new era in the galaxy far, far away.
Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons's Watchmen is one of the most celebrated graphic novels of all time, with rich lore and complex themes that have been notoriously difficult to adapt. However, with HBO's Watchmen, Lindelof proves he is more than capable of blending layers of nuance into a previously established story. Lindelof takes risks with his iteration of Watchmen, introducing several characters and storylines that aren't at all present in the comic. Lindelof's limited series is filled with homages and Easter eggs, but most importantly, it succeeds as a standalone story. This experience and approach is exactly what could make Lindelof perfect for creating a bold new Star Wars future.
Damon Lindelof Can Fix Star Wars' Movie Future
Although the sequel trilogy's legacy is divisive, Lindelof is poised to provide much-needed clarity to Lucasfilm's cinematic future with his Star Wars movie. Lindelof is a frequent collaborator with J.J. Abrams, the director of Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Abrams' first foray into Star Wars is well-respected, but his decisions to revisit previously introduced plotlines were questionable. This lack of coherent storytelling is rampant throughout the sequel trilogy, and after five films in just over four years, the cinematic future of the franchise is still in a state of disarray.
According to a report (via THR), Lindelof's Star Wars movie will be set after the events of The Rise of Skywalker, and will allegedly include characters from the sequel trilogy. However, the film is not expected to be a continuation of the events from the sequels, ruling out Lindelof's movie as a possible Star Wars: Episode X. This allows for Lindelof to draw from the existing lore of the Skywalker saga, but more consequently, craft a film with his own unique flare. Lindelof will aim to replicate the success of Watchmen with a movie that can fix the murky future of Star Wars on the silver screen.
Why Lindelof's Star Wars Movie May Not Happen
The hesitancy surrounding Lindelof's Star Wars movie is warranted, given Lucasfilm's tendency to abruptly pull the plug on other creators. Phil Lord and Chris Miller were originally attached to direct Solo: A Star Wars Story, before parting ways with Lucasfilm due to "creative differences". Lucasfilm cited the same reasoning for departing from Colin Trevorrow's envisioned Star Wars movie, with J.J. Abrams stepping in to helm the project. The well-documented reshoots of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story are also indicative of Lucasfilm's host of production issues. With Rian Johnson's trilogy in a state of logistical limbo, and Patty Jenkins' Rogue Squadron project removed from Disney's release schedule, the future of Star Wars films is filled with uncertainty.
There is reason for cautious optimism about Lindelof's Star Wars movie as well, though. Academy Award winner Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy is expected to direct. Further, Dave Filoni was reportedly present at a writer's room meeting for the film. Their inclusions indicate a more collaborative effort from Lucasfilm that will hopefully save Star Wars' movie future and result in a standalone story with a unified vision. The earliest potential slot for the release of Lindelof's film is December 19, 2025, with another untitled Star Wars film slated for 2027. Regardless of when Lindelof's movie hits theaters, audiences will expect a film that brings a calculated approach to combat the turbulence that has often plagued Disney's era of Star Wars content.