In the ever-evolving landscape of the Star Wars franchise, where upcoming films like The Mandalorian and Grogu in 2026 and Ryan Gosling's Star Wars: Starfighter in 2027 are on the horizon, the untapped potential of the Old Republic era continues to intrigue filmmakers. Luke Sparke, the director behind the upcoming dinosaur action film Primitive War, has expressed a strong desire to dive into this ancient period of the galaxy far, far away. Specifically, Sparke has his sights set on adapting Knights of the Old Republic, a story that has captivated audiences for over two decades.
In a recent interview with Slashfilm, Sparke discussed his ambitions while promoting Primitive War, a low-budget yet ambitious Vietnam War-era dinosaur thriller set for release on premium video on demand and digital platforms on October 3, 2025. When asked about franchises he'd like to tackle, Sparke immediately pointed to Star Wars, highlighting Knights of the Old Republic as his top choice. He elaborated:
Anything. I'll take anything at this point in time, but I'll take anything. But I would love to do Knights of the Old Republic . Knights of the Old Republic' s based on the legacy comics that came out 20 years ago, which were set a hundred years after [ Return of the] Jedi . It's a whole different thing. Yeah, that's what I'd like to tackle. That would be my dream.
Sparke also mentioned interest in G.I. Joe but noted that after Primitive War, he's ready to move beyond dinosaur-themed projects, jokingly referencing the 1980s toy line Dino-Riders.
Sparke's enthusiasm underscores the enduring appeal of Knights of the Old Republic, which is widely regarded as one of the greatest stories in the Star Wars universe. Originally released as a video game in 2003 by BioWare, it transports players to a time 4,000 years before the rise of the Galactic Empire, during a brutal war between the Jedi Knights and the Sith Empire. The narrative follows a customizable protagonist who uncovers deep secrets about their past while battling iconic villains like Darth Malak and the enigmatic Darth Revan. What sets it apart is its masterful blend of epic space opera with personal moral dilemmas, allowing players to make choices that profoundly affect the story's outcome, from embracing the light side of the Force to succumbing to the dark side. This player agency, combined with richly developed characters and a galaxy-spanning plot filled with twists, has earned it acclaim for elevating Star Wars storytelling beyond traditional films.
Critics and scholars often praise Knights of the Old Republic for its innovative approach to lore expansion, introducing elements like ancient Sith artifacts, forgotten Jedi teachings, and complex interstellar politics that feel fresh yet true to the franchise's core themes of heroism, redemption, and the eternal struggle between good and evil. Its influence extends to subsequent Star Wars media, inspiring comics, novels, and even elements in later games. The story's depth and emotional resonance have led many to consider it not just a top-tier video game but one of the pinnacle achievements in Star Wars narrative history, rivaling the original trilogy in its ability to explore philosophical questions about destiny and power.
The Old Republic era, as depicted in Knights of the Old Republic, remains largely unexplored in live-action Star Wars projects, positioned on the official timeline after the Dawn of the Jedi and before the High Republic, thousands of years prior to Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace. This detachment from familiar characters like the Skywalkers offers filmmakers like Sparke a blank canvas to innovate without the constraints of established canon. While a Knights of the Old Republic film was rumored in development at Lucasfilm back in 2019, it never materialized, joining a list of shelved Star Wars ideas under Disney's stewardship.
Near the end of this potential revival discussion, it's worth noting the ongoing efforts to update the original game itself. The Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic remake, announced in 2021 as a PlayStation 5 console exclusive with a PC version, has endured a challenging development journey. Initially led by Aspyr Media, the project shifted to Saber Interactive in 2022 amid reports of internal issues.
As of 2025, the remake remains in active development, with recent leaks revealing concept art and screenshots from earlier cancelled iterations, signaling continued commitment to modernizing this beloved classic for new audiences.
Sparke's track record with Primitive War—delivering high-octane action on a modest budget—suggests he could bring a fresh, dynamic energy to Star Wars. Whether his dream becomes reality remains to be seen, but it highlights the timeless draw of stories like Knights of the Old Republic in keeping the franchise vibrant.
