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After a highly successful run with HBO’sGame of Thrones, many expected David Benioff and D.B. Weiss would smoothly move on to another pop culture juggernaut —Star Wars.
However, fans eager to see their vision for the galaxy far, far away, were disappointed. Just months after signing a massive $250 million deal with Netflix, Benioff and Weiss stepped down from their plannedStar Warsproject.
Star WarsMissed Out onGame of ThronesDirectors Due to Netflix Deal
The news thatDavid BenioffandD.B. Weisswere leaving theStar Warsproject, which caught many off guard. They had landed a huge $250 million deal with Netflix, which they signed in August 2019. Their joint statement read (viaTHR):
“There are only so many hours in the day, and we felt we could not do justice to both Star Wars and our Netflix projects. So we are regretfully stepping away [from Star Wars].”
However, insiders reveal that the situation was more intricate. While the Netflix deal was a factor, Benioff and Weiss were apparently hesitant because of the intense scrutiny from fans that often comes withStar Warsprojects. The two had already faced enoughcriticism for the controversialGOTSeason 8.
The mixed reactions toThe Last Jedi, directed byRian Johnson, made them reconsider their involvement. Lucasfilm presidentKathleen Kennedywas also worried about whether Benioff and Weiss could handle both the Netflix deal and aStar Warstrilogy.
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They’re known for concentrating on one project at a time, but their need to be physically present on set for Netflix projects clashed with the demands of working on aStar Warsfilm.
Star WarsFaced Turmoil After David Benioff and D.B. Weiss Departure
Benioff and Weiss exit created a big hole in Lucasfilm’sStar Warsplans. Disney CEOBob Igerhad mentioned a“slowdown”ofStar Warsmovies, with more emphasis on Disney+ shows likeThe Mandalorian.
This move highlighted a bigger problem in the franchise: there’s no clear direction. Unlike the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which has a well-connected storyline,Star Warshas had a tough time finding a unified vision.The Last Jeditook some bold creative paths, which some people liked, but it also turned others off.
That time, the hunt was on for fresh filmmakers to guide the future ofStar Wars. With the news ofKevin Feige— the mastermind behind the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) — joining forces with Kathleen Kennedy to work on aStar Warsmovie, there was an optimism that a more unified vision could take shape.
However, given the outspoken fanbase and the challenges with creative direction, the road ahead forStar Warsseemed uncertain. Since 2019, there hasn’t been much happening withStar Warsmovies.
Several were announced to be in the making, but things kept getting pushed back or canceled. Now, as of early 2024, there’s buzz about five projects supposedly in the works, but nothing is definite yet.
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So, while we haven’t seen newStar Warsmovies on the big screen since 2019, there’s hope for the future with these projects in the works.
Shreya Jha
Articles Published :1042
Meet Shreya, FandomWire’s go-to Pop-Culture Writer. She holds a master’s degree in Journalism and a pop culture obsession that rivals even the most die-hard ‘Star Wars’ and Marvel fans.Her articles have been published in Animated Times, Creator Mail, and The Luxxe Mag. When Shreya’s not busy dishing out hot takes, she is lost in the world of rom-coms.
