Sequel Saturday: Star Wars Anthology Antics, by Mat Bradley-Tschirgi
At Star Wars Celebration Anaheim last week, details were released of the first Star Wars spin-off live-action film, Rogue One. The first of three standalone flicks Disney plans to release between their latest Star Wars trilogy, it is set between Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope. Detailing the exploits of a rogue group of rebels trying to steal the plans for the Death Star, Rogue One will be directed by Gareth Edwards (Godzilla) and star Felicity Jones (The Theory of Everything).
So much for the first Star Wars Anthology film. What concepts might they do for the other two? It’s fun we’ll get to some flicks set in a galaxy far, far away that aren’t beholden to the weighty requirements of being part of a film trilogy. The stories can be set whenever in the Star Wars continuity they choose. With that in mind, here are three concepts I think would be fun to explore in one of the upcoming Star Wars Anthology flicks.
The Huttfather: If Disney really wanted to be bold, they’d produce a picture focusing on Jabba the Hutt and his shady dealings with aliens most sinister. Imagine a tale spanning across a few generations of Hutts rising up the galactic gangster ranks throughout the galaxy. The villains would be the heroes… From a certain point of view.
The Live-Action Clone Wars: There’s several delightfully trippy story arcs from the recent CG animated Star Wars: The Clone Wars series. Why not adapt one to the live-action realm? You’d get to recast Anakin Skywalker and company while seeing an exciting era from the Star Wars prequels brought to live with the budget it deserves. My vote goes for the series of episodes focusing on the return of fan-favorite baddie Darth Maul.
Tatooine Graffiti: Set just before Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope, Tatooine Graffiti would detail the comedic exploits of a teenaged Luke Skywalker and his best buddy Biggs Darklighter. There’s a girl both have a crush on. After a blue milk drinking contest, the pair decide to face off in a womp rat hunting competition. The winner gets the glory, but do they get the girl?