David Benioff and D.B. Weiss Reflect on Canceled 'First Jedi' Film; Star Wars' Future Looks Bright with New Projects
View attachment 140David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, the masterminds behind HBO's Game of Thrones have broken their silence on the cancellation of their much-anticipated Star Wars movie trilogy. This ambitious project, announced in 2018, was set to bring a fresh perspective to the Star Wars universe by exploring the origins of the Jedi Order and the creation of the first lightsabre.
Titled The First Jedi, Benioff and Weiss's vision aimed to delve into the genesis of the Jedi. However, they encountered a creative impasse with Lucasfilm. 'We had a very specific story idea in mind, and ultimately they decided they didn’t want to do that,' Benioff explained. The duo humorously noted their frustration with Rian Johnson's The Last Jedi, which inadvertently overshadowed their intended title. Despite the setback, the creators expressed understanding, acknowledging, 'It’s their company and their IP, but we weren’t the droids they were looking for.'
This cancellation, announced in 2019, was initially attributed to Benioff and Weiss's commitments to Netflix. Now, they are set to release their new series, 3 Body Problem, an adaptation of the sci-fi novel The Three-Body Problem. The show will feature talents like Jovan Adepo, Benedict Wong, and former Game of Thrones stars John Bradley, Liam Cunningham, and Jonathan Pryce.
The Star Wars cinematic universe, meanwhile, remains a hotbed of creativity and anticipation. Despite concerns over the state of Star Wars films, notably after the quiet removal of Patty Jenkins' Rogue Squadron from Disney's release schedule and the cancellation of a Kevin Feige-led project, Lucasfilm has a plethora of projects in the pipeline.
Dave Filoni, renowned for The Mandalorian and Ahsoka, is rumoured to be concluding the stories begun in these series with a new film. James Mangold, director of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, is reportedly working on a film exploring the origins of The Force. Furthermore, Daisy Ridley is set to reprise her role as Rey Skywalker in a film directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, set 15 years after The Rise of Skywalker.
Adding to the excitement, Jon Favreau is confirmed to direct The Mandalorian & Grogu, scheduled to start production in 2024. This film joins Lucasfilm's ambitious slate, with three unnamed Star Wars films set for release on May 22, 2026, December 18, 2026, and December 17, 2027.
The Star Wars universe continues to expand and evolve, promising fans a diverse array of stories and characters. While Benioff and Weiss's First Jedi remains a path untaken, the journey ahead for Star Wars is filled with promise and potential, keeping the spirit of the galaxy far, far away alive and thriving.
