Confirmed: Lucasfilm to Make Final Decision on the 2020 Star Wars Standalone Movie in June

Vanity Fair‘s David Kamp sat down with Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy to discuss the future of Star Wars films, including the to be determined and often debated third standalone film for 2020. Kennedy offered details about how the positive reception of the new saga characters is helping guide the potential for the saga’s future beyond Episode IX, how Carrie Fisher’s passing has affected Episode IX, and let us know when they will make a final decision on the third standalone film!

 

 

We have extracted the most informative parts of the interview for you here:

 

KAMP: With The Force Awakens, two years ago, the public didn’t know who Rey, Kylo, Finn, and Poe were. The reception of those characters has been positive, and it could have gone either way.

KENNEDY: We were incredibly fortunate that every single one of those characters has resonated to the extent that they have. I gather what you’re saying is that there are [more] opportunities with those characters. And, yes, that’s a possibility, too. That’s what we’re looking at: where do we go with the saga? Does the saga extend beyond the nine movies that George envisioned? We are having discussions about that right now.

If you chose to put the saga films on ice for a while, are you committed to continuing on with the story films?

Absolutely. Absolutely.

You have the “young Han Solo” story film coming out next year, and Episode IX in 2019. Is there another story film in production or pre-production, beyond the Han Solo one?

Yes. We haven’t identified it yet, but yes. We have a couple of things right now that we’re circling, and we’ll make a decision between the two pretty shortly. It’s probably for 2020, and we will make a decision by June.

Our biggest takeaway from that answer is Kennedy said a couple of ideas are circled, and they will make a decision between the two in June! So we’re down to two! Could it come down to the Boba Fett (bounty hunter) or Obi-Wan movie as the finalists? Those have been the two major ideas swirling for a long time now. The fact that they are making a final decision in June leads us to believe it should be fair to expect an announcement on the 2020 spinoff title at D23 in July! As we previously reported here Kennedy told Josh Horowitz their hope would be to announce the 2020 spinoff this summer.

Will either two be the 2020 spinoff?

And as for Episode IX, how mapped out is it?

Well, as you can imagine, we were really stunned by the death of Carrie. So we had mapped something out a year ago that [Episode IX writer-director] Colin Trevorrow was working on. In fact, he delivered a script to us in early December. So her death was a real shock, and changed things quite dramatically.

 

So General Leia was going to be a significant part of Episode IX.

Really significant, yeah.

And now that’s going to have to be—

Rethought.

 

 

It is still very unclear whether Lucasfilm would entertain recasting Leia for Episode IX while minimizing the character’s role. The fact that they had to rethink the framework of Episode IX indicates that Leia had a big impact and they are making changes. Kennedy has not ruled out a recast, but has made it clear they will not be making a CGI version of Carrie for Episode IX.

 

What do you make of all of this? Will the saga continue into X and beyond? Does it need to be a trilogy? What do you think they will end up deciding for the third spinoff movie in 2020? Fett, Obi-Wan, Bothans??? (Kidding). Finally, how do you think they’ll handle Leia for Episode IX. Sound off in the comments below, and let us know on Twitter @StarWarsNewsNet and hashtag us at #SWNN!

 

 

You can find the complete Vanity Fair article/interview here.

 

 

“For my ally is the Force, and a powerful ally it is.”

You can find me on twitter, no map needed, at @JohnnyHoey

 

 

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John Hoey is the Lead Editor and Senior Writer for Star Wars News Net and the host of The Resistance Broadcast podcast

"For my ally is the Force, and a powerful ally it is."

John Hoey

John Hoey is the Lead Editor and Senior Writer for Star Wars News Net and the host of The Resistance Broadcast podcast"For my ally is the Force, and a powerful ally it is."

65 thoughts on “Confirmed: Lucasfilm to Make Final Decision on the 2020 Star Wars Standalone Movie in June

  • May 25, 2017 at 9:55 pm
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    Hopefully know by D23

    • May 25, 2017 at 10:53 pm
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      by June… then i bet they may even announce something at ComicCon. I reckon we might see the Han Solo crew there too. I mean, with no Star Wars Celebration next year, where else will the cast get a panel?

    • May 26, 2017 at 3:46 am
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      Or what?

  • May 25, 2017 at 10:06 pm
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    No one will forget Carrie’s contribution to SW. Still, I don’t mind a re-cast at all. The actor who mocaped for Tarkin should’ve simply stepped into the role and be allowed to do his interpretation of the character, no makeup or digital work. He would’ve performed admirably.

    • May 26, 2017 at 12:46 am
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      I totally agree. Obviously we all want Carrie in the role, but I think recasting is best for the story and the Leia character.
      Its not even like Leia is a character that just been brought back for nostalgia (and thus could be written out). She is the mother of the central villian of this triology. I personally believe she is the only one who could help redeem Kylo (we know Han and Luke couldnt).
      Recasting is the best course. I personally thought the cgi on Tarkin was outstanding, but I feel it is just too soon to attempt that for such a recent loss.

    • May 26, 2017 at 1:26 pm
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      I agree 100%.

      Imagine if Ian McDiarmid had died after filming Attack of the Clones. What would they have done for ROTS – skipped over Palpatine turning Anakin to the dark side? Of course not – they would have had no choice but to recast the Emperor. I think the same logic applies for recasting Leia.

      Carrie Fisher was one of a kind, and everyone is sad she’s gone, but “the show must go on”. Unless of course Leia actually dies in 8, and this is all a massive smoke screen.

  • May 25, 2017 at 10:25 pm
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    Star Wars will never end now that Disney has control. Sadly.

    • May 26, 2017 at 1:30 am
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      Yeah, mate, extremely saddening. -__-

  • May 25, 2017 at 10:29 pm
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    Recast Leia? Lmao

    • May 26, 2017 at 3:57 am
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      The joke is on you if you don’t think Disney wouldn’t give it a serious consideration.

      • May 26, 2017 at 7:43 am
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        Talked about? Sure, everything will be talked about. Serious consideration to recast Leia? No, not happening. Young Leia like Han? Sure, that would make sense. Recast Leia to continue the saga and the character? No way.

  • May 25, 2017 at 10:40 pm
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    Fett or Kenobi would be great in the right context…

    Personally, after seeing Vader in action in R1…I’d like to see a Vader standalone. Call it Jedi-hunter and make the movie about his hunting of the Jedi after order 66, getting used to his new prosthesis and suit. Have him investigating the death of Padme, looking for Kenobi…so many epic scenes that could be made for this and I’m sure we’d love to see an action movie starring Vader! IMO, of course!

    • May 25, 2017 at 10:51 pm
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      We had a bunch of movies about him

      • May 26, 2017 at 2:15 am
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        3 movies about Anakin and 3 movies about Luke. What are you talking about?

        • May 26, 2017 at 2:49 pm
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          Darth Vader’s story was central to several of those movies. The entire saga has been retconned to be about him. I’m talking about Star Wars. What are you talking about?

      • May 26, 2017 at 6:21 am
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        not a full movie like I’m describing…

    • May 25, 2017 at 11:17 pm
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      I think that could be covered with comics/novels personally. I’m not sure its in the right context for a Star Wars movie, in that R1 was pretty dark in places and though its a sad ending the good guys won in the end.

      • May 26, 2017 at 6:20 am
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        I think the series is ready for something darker….

  • May 25, 2017 at 10:46 pm
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    I really hope they go with an obi wan standalone film. There is such a strong support for this from fans. Would be great to see an older Ewan get a great storyline out of the Disney chapter of the saga. Would be great if they can make this happen.

  • May 25, 2017 at 11:23 pm
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    I am neither a huge fan of a Boba Fett nor an Obi Wan standalone movie. The comics and Rebels have already told us quite a lot about Obi Wan’s exile on Tatooine and the conflict between Maul and Kenobi has been solved once and for all. The only reason why I would want to have this movie is to see Ewan McGregor portray an aged and wartorn Obi Wan. Boba Fett offers even less to be excited about in my opinion. The character of Fett is overhyped to begin with. The only reason why that guy is cool is because his armor looks amazing and because we fans have been telling each other how cool Fett is for generations. They have also added quite a bit of backstory back in Clone Wars/ The Clone Wars Series so I don’t really need to know more about his past either. Besides that they said they wanted to replace Temuera Morrison with Michael B. Jordan which would contradict the canon of what a grown up Boba Fett should look like. Bottom line is that both movies seem to be forced. I would much rather see something set hundreds of years before the prequel trilogy.

    • May 26, 2017 at 12:00 am
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      100% agreed on Boba Fett.

      No standalone film needed.

      • May 26, 2017 at 3:48 am
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        A bounty hunter film on the other hand…

    • May 26, 2017 at 3:45 am
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      Boba Fett is overrated.

    • May 26, 2017 at 9:01 am
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      Combine the two characters in one movie. It focuses on Obi-Wan, and Boba is the bad guy, who would obviously have a vendetta against any surviving Jedi.

    • May 26, 2017 at 2:14 am
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      nah

      • May 26, 2017 at 5:30 am
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        gesundheit

    • May 26, 2017 at 7:15 am
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      Better than that horrid shop of Elizabeth Olsen as her from a few weeks ago.

    • May 26, 2017 at 8:59 am
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      As I just wrote above, one of the three ideas I speculate they could be considering: an original story set between ANH and ESB that would recast Luke and Leia. This would be the most ballsy choice for Kennedy to make.

  • May 26, 2017 at 12:16 am
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    I was hoping for a Porkins spinoff, but whatever, I guess Obi-Wan would be kinda cool too.

  • May 26, 2017 at 12:39 am
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    I think they should do an “Order 66” standalone film. Take a new jedi character (or a lesser known existing one) and witness them surviving order 66 resulting in the eventual confrontation with Inquisitors or Vader.

    • May 30, 2017 at 8:34 pm
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      Kaleb Dune( Kanan Jarus)

      • May 30, 2017 at 10:23 pm
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        His story was already told in his comic series.
        I was thinking a new or minor jedi character (say the Kiadi Mundi padawan who was kidnapped by Trandoshians with Ahsoka).
        I would love, even in a comic to see what actually happened in the temple raid. Seeing who Vader had to face.

  • May 26, 2017 at 1:22 am
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    Patty Jenkins should be the first woman to direct a SW movie. Get her on board to direct one of these.

    • May 26, 2017 at 6:20 pm
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      Only if Wonder Woman is well-received.

      • May 26, 2017 at 6:39 pm
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        The vibes sound positive.

  • May 26, 2017 at 1:50 am
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    if they are not going foward(between ep 6 and 7) then obi wan or vader&palpatine spinoff

  • May 26, 2017 at 2:16 am
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    I want a film that takes place during the clone wars to see clones and droids back at it again. Or maybe an old republic movie.

    • May 26, 2017 at 2:53 pm
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      We had entire TV show for 6 seasons about that. Pass.

  • May 26, 2017 at 3:41 am
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    “The social experiment continues..”- Kathleen Kennedy.

    • May 26, 2017 at 3:15 pm
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      Well, if that wasn’t the case, people like you wouldn’t have anything to feed their crap with 😉 How good of LFL: they even care about the haters 😀

    • May 26, 2017 at 5:05 pm
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      TFA and R1 have both been a financial and critical successes and people are really looking forward to TLJ, If KK is only “experimenting” then she is doing one hell of a job if you look at her track record. Also if you don’t like what Disney is doing with SW then just find a new favorite franchise instead of complaining about it on a Star Wars related message board. You’re like that guy who shows up at his ex-girlfriends wedding years after your breakup just because you can’t let her go. You think that the people on the wedding admire you because you let them know how truly in love you were with your ex and what wonderful ideas you had in store for her. But in reality your just a downer ruining the party for the other guests who are just trying to have a good time and enjoy themselves.

  • May 26, 2017 at 3:47 am
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    I dont think a fett movie would be that great.. Obi could be ok but personally i want to see something new… Old republic and lets blow some freaking minds.. lets put a REAL sith lord in it.. Expain the universe and do something NEW

    • May 26, 2017 at 6:19 pm
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      That would be great. However, as far as rumors go, the “Boba Fett” movie would be more of a bounty hunter movie in general.

  • May 26, 2017 at 3:47 am
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    Old republic. Bye.

  • May 26, 2017 at 3:50 am
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    As if losing Carrie wasn’t bad enough on its own, the fact that the original vision for the conclusion of the sequel trilogy won’t be realized is a real kick in the nuts.

    As for the standalone, I’d be fine with either Obi-Wan or a bounty hunters movie, as long as it’s not a Boba Fett solo film. Better yet, KoTOR, Darth Bane, Darth Plagueis, Quinlan Vos, or Luke’s Jedi Academy.

  • May 26, 2017 at 3:59 am
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    Yes! Rush it through without thinking it over! Quantity over quality! Since that seems where it is headed..

    • May 26, 2017 at 5:47 am
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      Bull. For all you know, they’ve been discussing their options for three years.

      • May 26, 2017 at 4:38 pm
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        Kathleen Kennedy has a long history working for Lucasfilm. In many interviews a number of employees have said that they have discussed many “what if” scenarios and “wouldn’t it be cool” ideas long before Disney acquired SW. Kennedy was one of these employees besides Pablo Hidalgo or Doug Chiang. Saying their decisions are rushed is a pretty bold statement. And let’s not forget that Disney is a highly experienced company based on the talent of some of the best artists and writers in the industry. Given the history of Lucasfilm three years is more than enough to come up with a pitch good enough for starting preproduction.

        • May 27, 2017 at 4:04 pm
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          That’s sort of what I was getting at.

    • May 26, 2017 at 3:22 pm
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      They have probably been talking about this for years. They are just going to make that decision public in June or this summer some time.

  • May 26, 2017 at 5:48 am
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    I think episode IX is better off not focusing on Leia. Her death will make the last Jedi more emotional. The 2020 story movie should be something new like between VI and VII showing what’s going on in those 30 years

  • May 26, 2017 at 7:12 am
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    Han Solo is going to be as important as R1 was in how it was the first SW film not starring Jedi or pre-existing characters, This one will be the first biopic of sorts. I can’t see Obi-Wan or the Fett film happening if this bombs or is critically panned.

    • May 26, 2017 at 7:13 am
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      As much as they are going back to the OT well with the spinoffs, At least they are taking chances with them like that.

  • May 26, 2017 at 8:57 am
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    Just my guesses about the next Star Wars Story film:

    It could be an Obi-Wan movie in which Boba Fett is the main baddie. So this could fulfill two things at once.

    I’m also thinking, maybe it could be a Vader movie, and the plot is played out similarly to the Vader comics.

    The third option, which is out of left field and would be most controversial: An original story set between ANH and ESB which features Luke, Han and Leia. So, along with the new guy playing Han, they cast new actors for Luke and Leia.

  • May 26, 2017 at 10:55 am
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    There are so many stories to tell. That’s fantastic. WIth a bunch of people in R1 and

    a biopic one character in HS, i really don’t know what they are planning. Probably something diferent. to surpirse us. Obi Wan with McGregor or Boba Fett would be really cool, and probably are the more obvious projects. But definetly would be nice something set on old ages (probably better for a Tv show), the battle of Taanab, or after Return of the Jedi events, or a story set in prequel era but with the same cinematography as R1 or TFA, something more organic and realistic.

  • May 26, 2017 at 11:17 am
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    I would prefer an Imperial stand alone film, we have already seen a lot rebel heroes on the screen. A film about Thrawn, Tarkin or some other Imperial officer, so we would see the inside of the Empire and give it a victory

    • May 26, 2017 at 2:31 pm
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      I like the idea. Maybe even putting the Rebels in a bad light and showing everything from the Imperial point of view.

      • May 26, 2017 at 10:22 pm
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        precisely, as we have already seen in Rogue one rebelion isn’t as good as it seems to be

    • May 26, 2017 at 2:54 pm
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      I like the idea,but we don’t need to “give it a victory”. They won in Episode 3 and Empire. They are fine.

  • May 26, 2017 at 3:51 pm
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    Battle Of Jakku would be good

  • May 26, 2017 at 6:14 pm
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    O B I W AN

  • May 26, 2017 at 10:12 pm
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    Oh please please please by and Obi-Wan movie with Ewan McGregor, he said in an interview he wanted to do it.

  • May 26, 2017 at 11:45 pm
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    Casting my vote for Ewan to come back as Obi-Wan in 2020.

  • May 27, 2017 at 5:23 am
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    Am I the only one that is not wanting to see a Boba Fett movie? Other than that he looked cool, he was kind of dull. He “died” in a pretty lame way in ROTJ, and after seeing him as a whiny little kid in AOTC, he proved to be a very underwhelming character.

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