As theStar Warsuniverse continues to expand across TV and film, fans have been eager to learn more about the franchise’s future on the big screen. In 2024, it was announced that the franchise is developing anewStar Warstrilogyheaded byInvasionshowrunner and longtime sci-fi writer/producer Simon Kinberg.
Apart from Kathleen Kennedy’s statement thatKinberg’s new saga will be the most important forStar Wars’future, Lucasfilm has remained characteristically tight-lipped about the project.There has been speculation that Kinberg’s trilogy continues on from previous mainline films, debuting Episodes X to XII with Daisy Ridley’s Rey as the central protagonist, or even acting as a completeStar Warsreboot.
Now, in an interview withScreenRant’s Grant Hermanns,Kinberg has finally opened up about his creative philosophy for the newStar Warstrilogy following his sci-fi drama TV series. When asked about howInvasionwould impact theStar Warsproject, Kinberg expressed a need to find “a balance” between epic visuals and intimate character exploration. Check out his comments below:
I will say that I’ve learned so many things from working on Invasion, or honed a lot of things working on Invasion. And I think that the thing that I carry with me from Invasion into anything that I do, Star Wars included, would be finding a balance between big, epic science fiction storytelling with really intimate, dramatic character work.
Kinberg stated that he “definitely can’t give […] an update” on the trilogy’s progression, as story specifics remain under wraps, claiming, “this is as top secret as top secret stuff gets.” However,Kinberg revealed his favoriteStar Warsmovies and TV series —The Empire Strikes BackandAndor— teasing how they will influence his upcoming trilogy:
My favorite of the Star Wars movies is Empire Strikes Back, and it’s because the balance between the epic and the intimate is so strong in that they’re such personal stories. The stakes are really personal, and yet, obviously, there’s all kinds of great science fiction. I think Andor did an extraordinary job of that, as well. It was such an emotional, intense, personal show that also had, obviously, massive stakes to it, and politics, and all of that.
What Simon Kinberg’s Comments Mean For Star Wars
While Kinberg didn’t confirm a specific timeline, characters, or plot, his comments provide a strong sense ofwhat tone the nextStar Warstrilogy might have. Instead of leaning purely into spectacle or mythology,Kinberg is clearly focused on crafting stories that are first and foremost character-driven, echoing the direction Disney has seen success with on streaming.
TheInvasionshowrunner’s favoringThe Empire Strikes Backsuggests there will be some kind of return to the classic storytelling of the original trilogy, which has long served as the emotional backbone of the Skywalker saga. Yet,Kinberg’s admiration ofAndoris equally excitingas it could indicate the trilogy will follow a similar politically and emotionally charged premise.
Our Take On Simon Kinberg’s Star Wars Trilogy
Although details remain predictably scarce, Kinberg’s approach to the nextStar Warstrilogy sounds like a step in the right direction. After thedivisiveness of theStar Warssequel trilogy,many fans have been yearning forStar Warsto return to its core, and with Kinberg citingThe Empire Strikes Backas a favorite film, we might just see that.
However, Kinberg callingAndor “emotional, intense, personal” also suggests another reinvigorating story could be on the horizon, as he may lean into the more grounded reality seen in theStar Warsshow. This could be a valuable new addition to the franchise, and I’m excited to see what Kinberg does, especially considering his sci-fi experience with Marvel andThe Martian.
