A completely new trilogy of Star Wars films is in development, helmed by Rian Johnson. Johnson, the writer and director of Star Wars: Episode VIII The Last Jedi, will both write and direct the initial installment of this trilogy, with Ram Bergman, a frequent collaborator, serving as producer. These movies will diverge from the established Skywalker saga, instead delving into fresh characters and previously unexplored regions of Star Wars mythology. Lucasfilm made the announcement regarding this new trilogy on November 9, 2017, but a release date is yet to be determined.
Following a successful experience creating the 2017 Star Wars sequel trilogy movie Star Wars: Episode VIII The Last Jedi, Rian Johnson proposed the concept for the trilogy, envisioning it as a journey to "go someplace new, meet some new folks, tell a new story."
On January 16, 2018, Johnson offered further insight into his trilogy, suggesting that he hadn't dismissed the idea of incorporating some familiar faces from the existing films. On September 4, Johnson shared that the trilogy's first film would be released after he completes filming his thriller, Knives Out, which stars Daniel Craig. On February 13, 2019, Rian Johnson verified that his trilogy was still in the works, putting to rest any rumors of its cancellation. According to Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy, Johnson was working alongside David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, who were developing their own series of Star Wars films. In May 2019, the group of four convened to finalize their strategies for their respective films. However, on October 28, 2019, it was announced that Benioff and Weiss were no longer participating in the trilogy. They were initially slated to write and produce the first film to be released after The Rise of Skywalker.
In September 2018, Bob Iger stated that the release of Star Wars films would be "slowdown", as he believed there had been "a little too much, too fast." (He reiterated this in April 2019: "We will take a pause, some time, and reset … There will be other Stars Wars movies, but there will be a bit of a hiatus.") On May 7, 2019, Disney unveiled its theatrical release schedule for 2020-2027, revealing that Star Wars films were planned for release in cinemas in 2023, 2025, and 2027. The trilogy had been put on hold for an indefinite period while Johnson focused on the Knives Out films for Netflix; however, Johnson has confirmed that they are still being worked on.
- Rian Johnson, Writer-Director of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, to Create All-New Star Wars Trilogy on StarWars.com (backup link)
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- "We Had Such a Great Time": Rian Johnson on the Path to Star Wars: The Last Jedi on StarWars.com (backup link)
- Game of Thrones Creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss to Write and Produce a New Series of Star Wars Films on StarWars.com (backup link)
- The Star Wars Show: GOT Creators Making New Star Wars Films, Up Close with the Falcon, and YOUR Solo Teaser Reactions! on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link)