The future is now bright for Star Wars: Rogue Squadron! After being set as the next Star Wars movie following the 2019 Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker, the film has been put on the shelf due to Patty Jenkins’ busy schedule. Now, the film is finally in development again, as the Wonder Woman director will soon return to the writers’ room to work on its script.
In an interview with the Talking Pictures podcast, Jenkins gave a surprising update when asked about the once-canned Rogue Squadron. As many thought that it would never happen, the filmmaker’s calendar finally opened up now that Wonder Woman 3 was put on ice.
When I left Star Wars to do Wonder Woman 3 , and I started working on that, we talked about, ‘Well, maybe I’ll come back to Star Wars after Wonder Woman 3 .’ So, we did a deal for that to happen, started a deal. But when Wonder Woman 3 then went away, Lucasfilm and I were like, ‘Oh, we gotta finish this deal.’
Jenkins revealed that they had settled their deal when the Hollywood strikes were only just beginning. As many movie and TV projects were put to a standstill then, she now owed Lucasfilm a draft of its script. However, what happens after that remains to be seen, as the studio has a lot on its plate with its many upcoming Star Wars movie projects. Despite that, one thing is for sure: Jenkins is back to do Rogue Squadron.
They have a hard job in front of them of what’s the first movie they’re gonna do. They have other directors who have been working, but I’m now back doing Rogue Squadron. We need to develop–you know, get it where we’re both super happy with it.
What happened to Star Wars: Rogue Squadron?
Originally announced in December 2020 during Disney’s Virtual Investor Day, Rogue Squadron was set to draw its materials from Star Wars: X-Wing series and the original LucasArts X-Wing games. However, the movie experienced one delay after another due to Jenkins’ busy schedule. It was supposed to start production in 2022, with a December 22, 2023 release date.
However, the director’s schedule and other commitments made it hard for the producers and staff to make the movie in the said year and meet its release date. Hence, it was removed from the production schedule, hoping it would resume once Jenkins fulfilled her prior commitments and returned to the project. Fortunately, after a long wait, Jenkins is back to direct the movie.
What is Star Wars: Rogue Squadron about?
Though the story of the Rogue Squadron is yet to be revealed, its title hints at what fans can expect. Rogue Squadron is a group of Rebel Alliance starfighters founded by Luke Skywalker during the Galactic Civil War. It’s composed of 12 best X-wing pilots who are set to fight the Galactic Empire. According to Den of Geek, Jenkins wanted to make it the best fighter pilot movie of all time in honor of her late father, Capt. William T. Jenkins, who served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War.
When he lost his life in service to this country, it ignited a desire in me to turn all of that tragedy and thrill into one day making the greatest fighter pilot movie of all time. But try as I might, and look as I did, I couldn’t find the right story ever. I kept looking and looking, but I just couldn’t find the right one until now. Now I found a movie about two things I love.
Of course, the two things that she loved were believed to be Star Wars and the fighter pilot. And she’s about to combine these two on the big screen when Rogue Squadron finally comes to life.
