Star Wars Fans Express Outrage Over Upcoming Skywalker Saga Film

Star Wars enthusiasts are known for their critical views on the franchise, and the latest buzz surrounding the series has stirred up quite a bit of negativity. Recently, it was announced that Jon Watts, the director behind the Spider-Man films, will take the helm of the next mainline Star Wars movie, which is set to explore “the next phase of a potential new Skywalker Saga.” This film is expected to be part of a trilogy that Simon Kinberg is reportedly writing.

The reaction from the Star Wars community has been far from positive.

One major point of contention is the film’s focus on the Skywalker family once again. With the Star Wars universe being so expansive, many fans are frustrated that the narrative will revolve around this familiar lineage instead of venturing into new territory. After the mixed reception of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, which heavily relied on nostalgia and familiar elements, fans are eager for a fresh story that breaks away from the established saga.

Additionally, there’s skepticism about Jon Watts as the director. While he successfully directed the first three Spider-Man films featuring Tom Holland, he’s not widely regarded as a visionary filmmaker. Critics often describe his style as competent but lacking flair, leading to concerns that he may play it too safe with this new project.

On a brighter note, Watts has co-created and directed episodes of Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, a series that has garnered praise on Disney Plus. He has a track record of delivering successful projects for Marvel, and Lucasfilm seems to be leaning towards directors like him, who can produce big-budget films without the delays that have plagued some Star Wars projects.

The choice of Simon Kinberg as the writer for Episode X has also raised eyebrows, particularly due to his history with less successful films. Critics have pointed to flops like Fantastic Four (2015), X-Men: The Last Stand, and Dark Phoenix as reasons for concern. One user even bluntly questioned how Kinberg remains employed in Hollywood. However, it’s worth noting that he did write X-Men: Days of Future Past, which was well-received. Another user highlighted that Kinberg is respected in the industry for his production skills and creative ideas.

Overall, with the direction and key personnel for Episode X, it appears Disney is opting for a conservative approach, which hasn’t yielded great results recently. The box office performance of Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu was underwhelming, reflecting a significant drop in enthusiasm over the years. Just over a decade ago, Star Wars: The Force Awakens achieved remarkable success, becoming the highest-grossing film in domestic history at the time, raking in over $2 billion globally. In contrast, Mandalorian & Grogu managed only $345.8 million and may struggle to recoup its budget. Fans seem to be yearning for innovation, yet Disney appears to be revisiting familiar ground.

The next chapter in the Skywalker Saga will be directed by Jon Watts, known for Spider-Man: No Way Home.