John Knoll, who created the Rogue One: A Star Wars Story concept, is working on another anthology idea in the Star Wars universe. Lucasfilm’s first foray into anthology films proved to be a massive success. Rogue One debuted to mostly positive reviews and went on to gross well over $1 billion dollars at the box office. Characters such as Donnie Yen’s spiritual warrior Chirrut Imwe and Alan Tudyk’s sarcastic droid K-2SO are beloved by the fans. The groundwork has been laid for more anthology films that travel outside the Skywalker Saga, focusing on new and exciting characters that fans have yet to meet.

Rogue One creator Knoll is already hard at work. At a recent panel, he revealed that he has been working on refining a pitch for a new anthology film.

During a Rogue One Super Session as part of the National Association of Broadcasters Show, Knoll told THR,

“I have another idea I’ve been tinkering with. It’s maybe 75 percent there. I haven’t pitched it to [Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy]. It’s another Star Wars thing…There’s no reason to think Disney is going to stop wanting to make Star Wars movies if there’s quality and there’s interest. It has unlimited potential. It has a huge number of characters, worlds … It’s a massive playground.”

Given how well-received Rogue One was, it’s likely that Knoll’s pitch will be greenlit. It also sounds as though it will be another film focused on original characters, rather than legacy ones. Knoll wouldn’t have mentioned the unlimited potential of the Star Wars world if he planned on confining his work to the stories and characters already explored in the Skywalker saga. This most likely means he’s not thinking of an Obi-Wan movie, much to fans’ dismay.

Knoll’s words also imply that he’s partially aware of Lucasfilm’s post Episode IX plans. While the studio has not yet announced what anthology film will be released in 2020, or indeed whether or not one will be released, Knoll coming up with a film implies there is interest from Lucasfilm for pitches for upcoming anthology films. It’s hard to imagine that audiences will stop hungering for more Star Wars after the final film of this trilogy is released. There will definitely be audience demand for more stories set in that universe. Whether or not the Skywalker saga continues past Episode IX has yet to be seen, but Lucasfilm could feasibly make anthologies going forward without ever having to return to that story again. That is just how vast the Star Wars universe is. There is an infinite amount of storytelling potential.

It’s looking like, regardless of whether we get another trilogy or not, the Star Wars franchise will continue on for the foreseeable future. It’s doubtful Knoll would be tinkering with another Star Wars idea were that not the case. What remains to be seen is where they take us in this galaxy next. Fans have been clamoring for an Old Republic-set trilogy – could we visit the dawn of the Jedi and the Sith? Or will the next anthology film delve into the yet-unexplored years between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens? Only time will tell.



[Screen Rant]