Star Wars could announce Episode 10 at the Lucasfilm Studio Showcase this weekend at Star Wars Celebration. The biggest focus of the festivities so far seems to be Ahsoka and the ever-expanding Mandoverse, but there have also been reports that Star Wars is looking to make a return to the big screen now that the Disney+ shows have proven to be a success. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker further divided audiences after the controversial narrative of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, giving Lucasfilm the perfect excuse to focus on its small-screen efforts. But Star Wars has always provided silver screen spectacle, and it’s time the franchise returned to cinemas.
Though Star Wars has made plenty of attempts to get back to the big screen, most of its announced projects have since been discarded or simply fallen to the wayside. Patty Jenkins’ Rogue Squadron has been canceled, as has Kevin Feige’s untitled Star Wars movie. Rian Johnson’s Star Wars trilogy still hasn’t moved past the discussion stage, despite his continued enthusiasm for the brand, and writer Damon Lindelof just exited another Star Wars movie venture. Star Wars and Lucasfilm have made plenty of valiant attempts, but a constant stream of shelved projects has made audiences skeptical. The announcement of Star Wars Episode 10, therefore, could be just what is needed to get the franchise back on track.
Star Wars Episode 10 Could Be What Lucasfilm Need
If Lucasfilm intends to “ramp up” its Star Wars movie slate, a continuation of the Skywalker saga might be just the ticket. The Star Wars sequel trilogy divided its audience straight down the middle; some loved the introduction of new characters Rey, Kylo Ren, Finn, and Poe, while others felt that Luke Skywalker and his fellow original trilogy characters were unfairly sidelined. Star Wars: Episode 10 could bring that divided audience together by telling a new story less reliant on nostalgia and legacy – goodbye forever, Emperor Palpatine. It can honor what came before but also jump-start a new chapter of not just the Skywalker saga, but the Star Wars franchise as a whole.
Canceling standalone anthology movies that have only been announced as being “in development” is easy enough; projects get shuffled around or shelved all the time in Hollywood. Creative differences and funding issues can determine whether a movie actually gets made. Announcing Episode 10, however, on as big a stage as Star Wars Celebration, would prove that Disney and Lucasfilm are intent on taking Star Wars in a new direction – into an era that has yet to be explored, where newer characters like Rey and Finn get to shine without having to prove their worth in the shadow of Star Wars legends. If Episode 10 is officially announced, there’s no turning back. Hype levels would be through the roof.
The Sequel Trilogy Set Up The Next Chapter Of The Skywalker Saga
Now that Rey has forged her lightsaber and claimed the Skywalker name with Luke and Leia’s blessing, there’s nothing stopping her from being the center of the next chapter of the Skywalker saga. She could pick up where Luke left off, beginning a new Jedi Order, having (hopefully) learned from the mistakes of the past. It could explore how her relationship with the Force has changed now that her connection with Ben Solo has been severed, and also finally give Finn the chance to tap into his potential, that which was teased in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, but never came to fruition. There are plenty of stories left to tell; Lucasfilm only needs to be willing to take the leap.
Star Wars Episode 10 Could Fix The Mistakes Of The Sequel Trilogy
Though not every criticism lobbed at the Star Wars sequel trilogy was fair, much of it did make sense. The Force Awakens was essentially a retelling of the original Star Wars movie. Kylo Ren was modeled too closely on Darth Vader, and characters who were supposed to become integral to the plot, like Finn, Poe, and Rose Tico, were sidelined as a result of poor narrative planning. Star Wars: Episode 10, and any story arc it may launch, can fix the mistakes that plagued the Star Wars sequel trilogy. It can ensure that its characters are treated fairly and that they are given the development they deserve. Characters, after all, are the way to truly connect with an audience.
Additionally, Episode 10 could finally move away from the age-old conflict of the Empire versus the Rebellion or the First Order versus the Resistance, and find a new villain to develop. Star Wars: The High Republic, for instance, has found great success by introducing a new common enemy, the Nihil, and delving further into the secrets of the dark side. Star Wars: Episode 10 can undoubtedly introduce a new and exciting dark presence, one that provides Rey and any other new Jedi with a worthy adversary and allows the franchise to further explore its compelling lore. If Star Wars announces Episode 10 at Star Wars Celebration, then there’s sure to be plenty of interesting storytelling still to come.