Despite several delays and cancelation reports, Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy has reiterated that plans are still in the works for Star Wars: Rogue Squadron. Originally intended to be a feature film starring a new generation of X-Wing pilots adapted from the classic videogame of the same name, it seemed like a Top Gun-inspired Star Wars film would be a no-brainer with galactic dogfights galore. However, development of Rogue Squadron has been easier said than done.
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Despite its removal from Lucasfilm’s release schedule back in March, Kathleen Kennedy has given some updates in an interview with Empire Magazine regarding Rogue Squadron, a potential movie from Last Jedi director Rian Johnson, and Taika Waititti’s untitled Star Wars film:

“Rian and I talk all the time, he just keeps getting more and more successful, and it keeps moving things back further and further. One day we’ll figure this out. And Taika is working away. He’s just, and he won’t get mad at me for saying this, slow. We’ve got a couple of acts, we need a third. And [a] Lando [series] is still on the books, and Rogue Squadron [the Patty Jenkins movie that was announced in 2020, then seemingly nixed] is still on the books. We just want them to be great.”

Although Lucasfilm did a surprising 180 for Star Wars Celebration 2023 by announcing three new Star Wars films focusing on the “Dawn of the Jedi”, a Mandalorian movie, and a movie set after the sequels with Rey starting a New Jedi Order, it’s exciting to hear that those prior films are still in development (especially Rogue Squadron which seemed to be the furthest along).Related: Star Wars: Rogue Squadron – Cancelation, Franchise Future & Everything We Know

Will Rogue Squadron Ever Happen – And How?

This new update is very encouraging for Rogue Squadron, especially paired with Kennedy’s prior comments with IGN in April where she confirmed the story was still being discussed, albeit with new considerations about it potentially turning into a series rather than a full feature. While there are pros and cons to both, a series does have the potential to provide longer-form narratives with greater room to develop a tight-knit group of X-Wings pilots. However, one would hope that quality wouldn’t be sacrificed with a transition away from the big screen.

One thing that has yet to be clarified is whether Patty Jenkins is still attached to direct Rogue Squadron. Although she was featured in a promo video back when the film was first announced in 2020, there’s been no word about Jenkins’ involvement since the director’s update in December of 2022. To that end, one has to wonder whether she’d even be interested in directing a series rather than a full feature as Kennedy has suggested.

At any rate, it’s nice to learn that there’s still hope for Rogue Squadron, even if it might be a while before audiences actually get to see the project (in whatever form it takes). Whether it’s a series or a full movie, the prospect of a Star Wars story dedicated to Rebellion pilots is too exciting to pass up. Here’s hoping Lucasfilm remains committed to making Rogue Squadron happen in the near future.

Source: Empire