5 ideas for stand-alone Star Wars films
By Barlow Adams
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 14: An advertisement of the new Star Wars film plays on a screen as the Disney logo is displayed outside the Disney Store in Times Square, December 14, 2017 in New York City. The Walt Disney Company announced on Thursday morning that it had reached a deal to purchase most of the assets of 21st Century Fox. The deal has a total value of around $66 billion, with Disney assuming $13.7 billion of Fox’s net debt. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
With Solo: A Star Wars story set to hit theaters in May, and the acclaim and success of previous stand-alone Rogue One, what other possibilities exist in that alluring galaxy so far, far away?
Long have the Skywalkers–the defacto scions of sci-fi, wielder of The Force, changers of fate and subjects of prophecy–dominated the Star Wars narrative. From the now iconic fall and redemption of Anakin, to the humble introductions and grand heroics of his twins, Luke and Leia, the Star Wars Universe has celebrated and grieved with one glorious lineage since its inception.
Though Kylo Ren, who is a Skywalker by heritage if not name, still occupies a central role in the soon-to-be-concluded third trilogy, it seems obvious the franchise is moving on from the Skywalkers, as evident by the tonal shift in The Last Jedi, and in the brand’s focus on stand-alone films such as Rogue One and Solo.
Though it will be trying to leave behind the comfortable familiarity of the Skywalkers, the opportunity to explore what has to be one of the most imaginative and expansive fictional settings in cinematic history without the restrictive tethers of the First Family of the Force is as refreshing and exciting as it is daunting.
With an entire galaxy to explore, the options are nearly endless, but what are some interesting options?
I’m glad you asked.