The Star Wars universe is a vast one. That’s one of the reasons we love the franchise. There’s a myriad of aliens and creatures populating it, all with backstories if you care to find it. There’s events, people and places that are mentioned, but never seen. And the Star Wars galaxy needs to be huge, since Disney is releasing one film per year. We know that there’s going to be a Han Solo film and a Boba Fett movie. But there is so much more to Star Wars than those two characters. There’s other scoundrels, operatives for the Empire, scrappy rebels, exiled Jedi and New Jedi. Not to mention all the things that happened before the Skywalkers started messing up the galaxy. All of these stories are exciting ones and could offer fresh perspectives on the Star Wars universe. Hopefully, Disney and Lucasfilm will pick up on some of these ideas and use them to enrich their galaxy far, far away. Here are 10 Star Wars stories that could become the next anthology film:
Obi-Wan Kenobi
With Ewan McGregor willing to return the part and fans chomping at the bit to have a Obi-Wan spinoff, there’s no reason not to make a series about the adventures of Obi-Wan Kenobi. Ewan McGregor was one of the most compelling parts of the prequel trilogy and it would be amazing to see what he could do with a better story and script. His spin-off could draw on the well-received novel, Kenobi by John Jackson Miller. Another source it could draw on is the recent Star Wars comics by Jason Aaron. Aaron uses Old Ben’s Journals as a narrative device to tell the story of the exiled Jedi. Both sources play up the Western angle of the Star Wars films with Obi-Wan as the archetypal Man with No Name. The need to remain hidden and secret is not something we’ve seen from the Jedi in the movies. Obi-Wan trying to do good while staying hidden would be a new angle on a story about a Jedi.
Jedi Academy
The Force Awakens left us hanging on Luke’s Jedi Academy. We have no idea how it was structured, how many students were educated there and we don’t know how it fell. All we know is that Kylo Ren and his Knights destroyed it. But what happened before that awful event? Who lived and thrived at Luke’s Jedi Academy? What were they like? Did they have awesome adventures? That was stupid question, of course they did. They’re Jedi, awesome adventures are their specialty. The non-canon EU Jedi Academy novel could make for great source material. Han and Leia’s non-canon son Jacan even went to the Dark Side, just like Kylo Ren! Maybe Lucasfilm and Disney could bring in other EU characters like Jania Solo and Lobacca. Luke’s Jedi Academy is fertile ground for stories. Lucasfilm and Disney should pick up on this story thread once they’re done with the Han Solo and Boba Fett movies.
Young Princess Leia
If we can recast someone as iconic as Han Solo, we can recast Princess Leia. The internet has already suggested Millie Bobby Brown of Stranger Things fame as a potential young Princess Leia. We could see her navigate the intricacies of the galactic political system as a princess and a senator. We could see the political intrigue that goes on in the Star Wars universe, watch Leia train to be the leader she is in A New Hope. If a scruffy nerf herder gets a spin-off, then Princess Leia should get one too! There’s already the makings of a great supporting cast! Bring back Jimmy Smitts as Bail Organa! Also bring back Rebecca Jackson Mendoza as Breha Organa while you’re at it! Cast someone as Winter, Princess Leia’s best friend and confidant from the now non-canon Expanded Universe. Leia is an icon for people all over the world, and it would be amazing to see her in a film where she is the lead.
Rogue Squadron
The team formally known as Red Squadron who blew up the Death Star have everything but a live action movie. They starred in the X-Wing comic series by Michael Stackpole which he later novelized into a ten volume book series. Three video games focus on the squad: Star Wars: Rogue Squadron, Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader, and Rogue Squadron III: Rebel Strike. The leader of Rogue Squadron, Wedge Antilles featured prominently in a few episodes of the Rebels cartoon. Clearly, there’s plenty of material for a live-action film. Seeing their adventures play out in live action would be a dream come true for old fans and entice new ones into loving this group of scrappy rebels pilots. However, Rogue Squadron one might be tricky to adapt to live action. It’s been thirty years since Rogue Squadron last flew on the silver screen and the actors have aged. But Lucasfilm recast Mon Mothma, why not recast the Rogue Squadron?
Ahsoka Tano
The Clone Wars introduced Anakin Skywalker’s padawan, Ahsoka Tano. Audiences loved her spunk, tenacity and the way she challenged Anakin and Obi-Wan. She ended up leaving the Clone Wars cast, but she went on to be a key character in Star Wars: Rebels and the star of her own novel by E.K. Johnston. Ahsoka witnessed The Clone Wars, lived during the Jedi Purge and fought in the Rebellion. There’s plenty of exciting stories to tell about her during any of these eras of Star Wars history. Also, it would be interesting to see the galaxy far, far away from the perspective of a non-human. If there is a flaw with Star Wars, it’s that it sticks pretty close to the point of view of its human characters. Almost all of it’s television and film properties focus on humans like Anakin, Erza, Luke and Rey. Ahsoka, being a Togruta, would offer a fresh and exciting look at the Star Wars galaxy.
The Old Republic
Obi Wan Kenobi said in A New Hope, “For over a thousand generations the Jedi Knights were guardians of peace and justice in the Old Republic.” That means there is a thousand generations of stories to tell! The Knights of the Old Republic video games have covered some of this territory, telling the stories of Darth Reven and The Exile. The stories continue in the MMORPG Star Wars: The Old Republic, in addition to the Old Republic comics and novels. But we haven’t seen any television or film focused on this era, despite the expansive universe and the near unlimited creative freedom to tell epic tales of Jedi, Sith, criminal scum, Mandalorians, ordinary people who rise to the occasion and who knows what else? Lucasfilm could adapt from previously established source material (a Darth Reven television series would be epic) or forge new territory. Either way, the results are sure to be exciting!
The Bounty Hunters
Sure, a Boba Fett movie is currently in development, but there are plenty of other bounty hunters that could star in their own flick. There’s IG-88, a droid programmed for assassinations. There’s Cad Bane, the blue cowboy-looking fellow who broke into the Jedi Archives in the Clone Wars cartoon. There’s Asajj Ventress, Sith apprentice in exile. Of course, there’s more than these three. Who knows, there might even be bounty hunters who aren’t completely morally corrupt. Or at least work some jobs for the good guys of the Star Wars galaxy. Though there is something about character purely motivated by enlightened self-interest (otherwise known as greed) that appeals to audiences. After all, who doesn’t understand wanting money? It’s what makes our world go ‘round. The movie could star a bunch of background bounty hunters who have to team up to call in on the bounty of a lifetime. It could be a rollicking, fun movie starring the bad guys.
Young Qui-Gon Jinn
The Phantom Menace left us with more questions than answers about Obi-Wan’s mentor. Where did he learn to be such a rebel against the rules? What adventures did he and Obi-Wan have before the movie? How did he become wise and experienced enough to mentor such an iconic mentor figure? How did he learn to transcend death? As we all know, Qui-Gon died before he could get any more character development. Which is a shame because he had the potential to be a great character, if the script for The Phantom Menace had been a little bit tighter. (Fun fact: Carrie Fisher did some script doctoring for The Phantom Menace but not even she could save the film). A Qui-Gon Jinn movie could look at his past, the adventures he went on and why and how he learned to be a Force ghost. The movie could be a deeply spiritual journey to enlightenment. With laser sword fights, of course.
The Whills and Their Guardians
Speaking of Qui-Gon’s journey to immortality, it was hinted in the Revenge of the Sith script that he studied something called “The Whills.” These Whills have lurked around Star Wars pre-production, but weren’t mentioned in an actual movie until Rogue One. Lucas intended the Whills to be a kind of framing device for the Skywalker story. The original title of Star Wars was supposed to be Star Wars: The Adventures of Luke Starkiller as taken from the “Journal of the Whills.” Fortunately, someone realized that the title was too unwieldy and it was shortened. Rogue One returns to the concept of the Whills. Cassian Andor says that Baze and Chirrut are Guardians of the Whills. But Rogue One doesn’t answer any questions about them. We don’t know what the Whills are or why Baze and Chirrut are guarding them. A film about former Guardians of the Whill could fill in the blanks and give audience answers.
Mara Jade
Last on our list, but first in our hearts, is the amazing Mara Jade! Most fans know her as Luke Skywalker’s non-canon wife from the EU. But she was so much more, and she has a story that deserves to be reintroduced to canon. This would not be the first time non-canon EU characters have made their way into the new continuity. Grand Admiral Thrawn was created for the EU novels and was reintroduced in Star Wars: Rebels. Something similar could be done for Mara Jade. She was The Emperor’s Hand and performed covert missions under Palpatine’s direct orders. After the Empire fell, she fell into the criminal underworld and became a smuggler. She reinvented herself after losing everything and redeemed herself for her actions as the Emperor’s Hand. Her movie could tell her story during her time working for the Empire or what she did afterwards. Both would be fascinating looks into the Empire and the criminal underworld from a fresh perspective. It could connect with the larger Skywalker story if Lucasfilm wanted, but Mara is such a rich character that she could exist in the new canon without ever meeting the Skywalkers and still have a exciting story to tell.