The first Star Wars Anthology film, Rogue One, has now opened in theaters. Given the possibilities this new breed of Star Wars film entails, we thought we’d put our excitement about the future of Star Wars to productive use. Here are seven anthology films we hope to see Lucasfilm develop in the future!
Star Wars Anthology Dream List
7. Padmé Naberrie
starwarz.comIn Attack of the Clones, Padmé mentioned her involvement in Naboo’s Legislative Youth Program, where she was educated before ascending the throne. A Legislative Youth Program doesn’t promise high adventure, but an exciting opportunity exists here nonetheless. If Lucasfilm combines an Elizabeth–inspired rise to power with a John Hughes coming of age drama, we may just have the right elements for a Padmé story.
6. Bane vs. Fett
screenrant.comAn unfinished Clone Wars episode paired Boba Fett and Cad Bane up in a storyline inspired by The Searchers. The story was to touch on a rivalry between the two bounty hunters. Apparently Cad Bane wanted to train Boba Fett to bring out his full potential. This way, Cad Bane could test who the best bounty hunter really was. Like Cad Bane, I want to know the outcome of this rivalry.
5. Admiral Trench
www.nexusroute.co.ukTrench was an Admiral in the Separatist Navy. Like any classic Star Wars villain, his characterization is very striking. He has six arms, several eyes, several cybernetic enhancements, a deep voice, and a signature clicking noise he makes with his teeth. His several eyes are symbolic of his superior strategic ability in battle, making him a challenging foe for the Jedi.
Before the Clone Wars, Trench commanded the Corporate Fleet against the Republic at The Battle of Malastare Narrows. Admiral Yularen was an officer for the Republic at the time. In the end, Trench was defeated and thought to have been killed in action. Whatever went down at Malastare Narrows between Yularen and Trench is bound to be compelling material for a film. Focusing solely on a naval space battle for an entire movie would certainly set the story apart from other Star Wars projects.
4. Shaak Ti
YouTube.comOne of my few lingering frustrations with The Clone Wars series was the fact that so many of the supporting Jedi characters rarely, if ever, got to be the main character of a given episode. Even if the show had continued for ten years, many Jedi would probably still not get their due. Pick any secondary Jedi — whether Kit Fisto, Plo Koon, or Aayla Secura — and it would be justified to say that they should all get their own movies at some point.
For the sake of this list, I selected my favorite, Shaak Ti, who was played by Orli Shoshan in Attack of the Clones (and also in Revenge of the Sith. Shaak Ti mostly appeared on Kamino in The Clone Wars series, where she managed the training of the Clones. She fulfilled this role with a great deal of dignity and professionalism. Due to the fact that we mostly witnessed her professional persona, it would be interesting to develop her personal side in the future. Darth Vader murdered Shaak Ti during his attack on the Jedi Temple in Revenge of the Sith. Therefore, any stories about Shaak Ti would have to take place prior to that moment.
3. Dexter Jettster
theartmad.comDexter appeared in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones. He was an old friend and informant of Obi-Wan Kenobi. Before Dex started his diner on Coruscant, he made a living as a prospector. Dex’s history as a prospector gives Lucasfilm the opportunity to make a film in the vein of classics like The Treasure of the Sierra Madre and Greed. These classics share thematic similarities to the Star Wars Prequels in that they explore the damage that greed inflicts on a person’s soul. Like Anakin, the characters of Sierra Madre and Greed lose their compassion. Dex advised Obi-Wan to have more respect for “the difference between knowledge and wisdom,” implying that Dexter was far too shrewd to allow his past encounters with greed to destroy his soul. Dex’s story could be one of overcoming such forces in order to become the humble diner owner we see in Attack of the Clones.
2. Grievous
IGN.comOne of the biggest appeals of the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy was witnessing the transformation of Anakin Skywalker into Darth Vader. A similar story opportunity exists for General Grievous, who was designed to be a reflection of Darth Vader. Grievous was originally a Kaleesh Warlord before becoming Dooku’s glorified puppet. In the Star Wars: The Clone Wars episode entitled, “Lair of Grievous,” we learned that Grievous chose to be rebuilt as a cyborg.
Unfortunately, much like Count Dooku, Grievous received less development as The Clone Wars series progressed. Instead, the spotlight was focused on Darth Maul and Asajj Ventress. To track Grievous’ transformation from warlord to cyborg would be the perfect vehicle to tell another story in the tragic genre while simultaneously exploring the warrior culture of the Kaleesh. What sets Grievous apart from “badass” Star Wars villains like Maul and Boba Fett is his cowardly nature. He often runs from a fight, but was he always like that? There are few character origins as curious as Grievous’. An anthology film is just what is required to give his backstory the justice it deserves. A five part comic mini-series just isn’t going to cut it.
1. Jar Jar Binks
thefederalist.comHear me out.
The last time we saw the Bombad General was at Padmé Amidala’s funeral in Revenge of the Sith. Clearly, that funeral and the days leading up to it were difficult times for Jar Jar. Here we have a story about dealing with grief just waiting to be told. Obviously a goofy character like Jar Jar isn’t going to be bogged down by dark emotion for too long, but the simultaneous death of Amidala and democracy must have been a huge blow for everyone on Naboo.
Their cultural identity is going to be heavily scarred, especially if we consider the fact it was one of their own who transformed the Republic into an Empire. The people of Naboo are going to be doing some serious soul searching in the aftermath. For one, Jar Jar should definitely get out of politics (it isn’t healthy). For Jar Jar, peace could be found through new adventures. A new adventure doesn’t necessarily mean Jar Jar needs to join the Rebellion. I think Jar Jar could find some nobility in carving out his own humble corner of the Star Wars Universe. A Jar Jar adventure would obviously follow in the tradition of Buster Keaton’s physical comedies. After all, Keaton was one of the inspirations for Jar Jar in the first place.
ICYMI: Jar Jar Binks meets Buster Keaton. The Phantom Menace (1999). Seven Chances (1925). pic.twitter.com/Kjs4tTPgvx
— mike klimo (@MikeKlimo) July 21, 2015
As Jar Jar progresses through a series of gags and physical stunts, the Gungan would come that much closer to achieving peace of mind. If Disney isn’t willing to go the live-action route with Jar Jar Binks, they can always add him to their canon of animated films like they did with Marvel’s Big Hero 6. If we survey the entirety of Star Wars, it is obvious that Jar Jar is one of the best suited characters for animation. When Jar Jar finally finds peace, perhaps he can settle down with his old flame — Queen Julia of Bardotta — to raise children. Before Padmé died, she dreamt of giving her children a nursery by the garden. To fulfill this unrealized dream in memory of his friend, Jar Jar could give his own children a room by the garden.
Many of you, without a doubt, are probably wondering how popular characters such as Obi-Wan Kenobi or Ahsoka Tano could be excluded from the list. Rumors have been flying that Lucasfilm has not started an Obi-Wan film just yet because they aren’t finished with him in the Saga films, and so we wanted to focus our attention to characters who are overlooked.
There have also been unsubtle clues that an Ahsoka film is a likelihood. At Celebration Europe 2016, Dave Filoni (Executive Producer of Star Wars: Rebels) stated that, “I don’t want Ahsoka to exist just as an animated character.” He used the panel to promote the Ahsoka novel, which released back in October. It is easy to conclude that he is campaigning for an eventual live action film by testing Ahsoka in other media first.
No list of this nature can do the series justice, but it was still fun to ponder the future in this manner. Make sure to leave your own ideas for Star Wars anthology films below. When it comes to brainstorming, many minds are better than one.
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