What’s Next for Star Wars After the Skywalker Saga

First launching in 1977 with the release of STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE, the Skywalker Saga has been one of the most significant elements of cinema for more than 40 years now, and very soon it will all be coming to an end. The upcoming STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER is not only the ninth chapter in the franchise, and the third trilogy capper, but it has also been designed to end the big screen story of Anakin Skywalker, Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa and Ben Solo.

Of course, just because the Skywalker Saga is ending doesn’t mean that STAR WARS is. To the contrary, while we will be seeing a temporary pause on new releases in the next three years, there are still some incredibly exciting plans in the works for the franchise over at Lucasfilm. And while none of the projects currently have specific release dates, these are the blockbusters that are currently being developed.

Rian Johnson’s Star Wars Trilogy

Director Rian Johnson took the helm of what is considered by many to be one of the best STAR WARS films in the entire canon, completely upending expectations in fascinating ways in THE LAST JEDI. And the folks at Lucasfilm apparently loved working with him so much that they hired him to develop three more features that will be made in the coming years. It’s a pretty big deal considering that it will be the first non-Skywalker Saga trilogy in the franchise, though, at this point we have really no idea what the films will actually be.

As depicted in various comics, video games and novels, the full breadth of the STAR WARS franchise exists far beyond the 70-year span that has been depicted in the films to this point. While it’s possible that Rian Johnson’s movies will continue to operate within that same stretch of time, there is a lot of fascinating stuff that the new trilogy could dive into should it take place before the events of STAR WARS: EPISODE I – THE PHANTOM MENACE, or perhaps even long after the events of STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER.

Kevin Feige’s Star Wars Movie

Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige has never been shy about sharing his love of STAR WARS. In fact, he even orchestrated a special Easter egg in the Phase 2 movies of the Marvel Cinematic Universe that saw characters repeatedly get their arms cut off as a tribute to George Lucas’ legendary franchise. Beyond that, the influences of STAR WARS can be seen all over Marvel movies, but soon Kevin Feige will be able to take his fan hood to the next level. He has been having discussions with Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy, and as a result of those talks he is now in the midst of developing his own feature in the canon.

Again, this is a case where we have absolutely no idea what the project is going to be about, though, it is worth noting that Kevin Feige reportedly has a particular star in mind that he wants to mold the project around. Unlike what Rian Johnson is working on, this is currently being developed as a single feature, though, who knows what could happen if it winds up being successful.

STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER will be in theatres everywhere on December 20.