Back when Disney dropped $4 billion to purchase Lucasfilm, it was obvious that the House that Mouse built had big plans for the "Star Wars" universe. Not only were they going to develop an all new trilogy for the epic "Star Wars" saga, they were also planning on a series of standalone films known as the "Anthology" series. It's an ambitious and exciting undertaking, though one that is not without its dangers.
With so much "Star Wars" content expected to flood the movie (and possibly TV) market over the next few years, how will each entry stand a part? How will Disney and Lucasfilm ensure that fans don't suffer from "Star Wars" fatigue? Apparently by limiting the amount of Skywalker.
Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy explained to The Costco Connection (who I guess have moved on from bulk goods to "Star Wars?") that the Episodic "Star Wars" films are directly related to the Skywalker lineage, whereas the Anthology films will deal with stories in other quadrants of that far, far away galaxy.
"The Saga films focus on the Skywalker family saga. The stories follow a linear narrative that connects to the previous six films. The Force Awakens follows the Return of the Jedi and continues that generational story. The Anthology films offer opportunities to explore fresh character, new storylines and a variety of genres inside the Star Wars universe."
This makes sense, as the Anthology films currently (or rumored) to be on the schedule follow Han Solo, Boba Fett, bounty hunters stealing Death Star plans and possibly even Obi-Wan Kenobi.
What will also help keep the "Star Wars" films fresh is the fact that the Anthology series will divide into different genres. "Rogue One," for instance (due out next year) is more or less a heist film set in space. The planned Han Solo standalone film will be somewhat of an origin story and so on and so forth.
Lucasfilm still runs the risk of overplaying their "Star Wars" hand and turning audiences off. But it sounds as if they are taking the necessary steps to avoid that.
"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" will hit theaters on Dec. 18.
