Is The Rise of Skywalker the Latest Star Wars Film in the Series Timeline?

With its release date set for December 20, 2019, Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (often simply referred to as 'The Rise of Skywalker') will be the latest film in the Star Wars film series' timeline. All other Star Wars films take place at earlier times, creating a clear narrative progression within the franchise.

Context and Significance

It is:

The last film in the Skywalker Saga. The last film we know anything about in the main series.

It is not:

The end of Star Wars as a whole. The end of the story. The initiation of a separate trilogy by Rian Johnson.

Initially, there was a push for an entirely separate Star Wars trilogy, which was intended to be directed by Rian Johnson. However, after his The Last Jedi received widespread critical and fan backlash, the separate trilogy was shelved, and it remains uncertain whether or not it will ever be resurrected.

Creative Control and Industry Dynamics

The ultimate decision to embark on The Rise of Skywalker was likely influenced by the recent appointment of Kevin Feige as the creative director for Star Wars. Feige's Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has proven to be highly profitable, making it difficult for Feige to divert his attention to Star Wars.

Given Feige's current role, it is unlikely that The Rise of Skywalker would be the final installment in the saga. Feige's removal from Marvel Studios might have been influenced by the escalating competition and the MCU's revenue streams, making it less feasible for him to be reassigned to a less lucrative project, especially one that is not yet confirmed for long-term success.

Continuity and Franchise Extension

From a narrative standpoint, the sequel trilogy in the Star Wars series is somewhat artificially constructed. The original Return of the Jedi clearly provided a conclusion to the evacuate great battle against the Empire (The Old Republic). However, with the introduction of the Prequel trilogy, the narrative was retroactively extended backward in time.

The challenge now is to extend the story forward, necessitating the undoing of the seemingly resolved elements from Return of the Jedi. The struggle between the Rebels and the Empire continues, with new monikers like 'Resistance' and 'First Order.' Additionally, the saga dwells on restoring the Republic and its capital worlds, yet it struggles to avoid repeating the same conflict, leading to an artificial and forcefully extended narrative.

Much like George Lucas himself, director J.J. Abrams and Rian Johnson have tried to bring closure to elements that seemed to already have concluded. The overarching goal is to create the impression that the conclusion was always on the cards throughout the nine films, although this narrative may not be entirely convincing to audiences familiar with the outcomes of Lucas' original trilogy.

Conclusion

As of June 2019, Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker is the next installment in the Star Wars franchise. Fans and critics alike will be keen to witness how this film addresses the narrative continuities and whether it can successfully close a saga that many believe came to a natural end long ago.

Related Topics

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Star Wars: Episode IX Star Wars: Skywalker Saga