Overview
- Star Wars is reportedly exploring the horror genre, as indicated by Tony Gilroy, promising fresh, exhilarating experiences for its audience.
- Mike Flanagan aims to develop a horror film within the Star Wars universe, building on the success of his works like Midnight Mass and The Haunting series.
- The franchise may venture into R-rated territory, mirroring the trend of adult-oriented projects in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
For many years, Star Wars enthusiasts have expressed a desire for the iconic franchise to diversify into different genres, with horror often topping the list of interests.
Andor’s showrunner, Tony Gilroy, suggests that those cravings could soon become a reality, having previously hinted at the potential for genre-blending Star Wars stories. Recently, he reiterated this possibility, confirming that discussions for a horror-centric installment are indeed taking place.
During the London premiere of Andor’s second season, Gilroy stated to Business Insider, “They’re doing that. I think they’re doing that. I think that’s in the works, yeah.”
He humorously referenced his previous “riffing” around a sitcom concept for the Star Wars universe, acknowledging that such whimsical ideas might not resonate with the franchise’s passionate fan base.
Gilroy also remarked on the success of Andor, emphasizing that with “the right creator, the right moment, and the right vibe… anything is possible.”
Is Disney Open to an R-Rated Star Wars Film?
While concepts for horror projects may have been proposed to Lucasfilm in the past, many speculate that Disney has traditionally been hesitant to stray from the family-friendly image foundational to its brand.
However, with the success of R-rated films like Deadpool and Wolverine illustrating that large franchises can successfully engage adult audiences, Disney appears more open to exploring untapped markets. Their television lineup has also shown signs of this shift; for instance, Daredevil: Born Again is veering towards darker themes reminiscent of its Netflix roots.
Traditionally, Star Wars has catered to a younger audience, with Marvel often dealing in more adult themes through storylines like The Punisher and seasonal specials like Werewolf by Night. Recently, Lucasfilm introduced Skeleton Crew, aimed at a younger demographic with its narrative focused on a group of children navigating the cosmos.
While Andor presents a grittier portrayal of the Star Wars saga, delving into serious subjects like systemic oppression and armed conflict, a horror project would need to embrace a mature tone, offering compelling narratives intertwined with intense violence and unsettling imagery.
Although the established universe may not have the same extensive horror resources as franchises like Marvel, it possesses notable inspirations derived from both official storylines and the pre-Disney extended universe.
Envisioning a Star Wars Horror Project
Among potential horror inspirations from the past, the novel Red Harvest stands out—celebrated by fans and frequently advocated for re-adoption into the official canon.
Distinct from the black-armored Death Troopers introduced in Rogue One, Death Troopers narrates the chilling tale of a Star Destroyer crew finding a quarantined prison ship. Upon investigating, they face a deadly virus that transforms Imperial stormtroopers into flesh-eating zombies.
The concept of zombie stormtroopers received a nod in the recent Ahsoka series, where the Nightsisters revived legions of Thrawn’s fallen Night Troopers. Also, depictions of zombies can be traced in The Clone Wars on Dathomir, as well as within the game Jedi: Fallen Order, utilizing Nightsister magic.
Additionally, the galaxy is populated with various monstrous beings, from the notorious Sarlaac Pit to Rancors and Krayt Dragons. A highlight within the expanded universe that has captured the attention of fans is the recently reintroduced Starweirds.
In the Doctor Aphra comic released in 2023, these enigmatic, Force-sensitive entities traverse space and bring chaos to unwary travelers. In a collaboration with Luke Skywalker, Aphra encounters one of these beings—having been imprisoned since the Clone Wars—even a Jedi of Skywalker’s caliber grappling to conquer it.
All Current Information on a Star Wars Horror Project Remains Speculative
As of now, it remains unclear if this anticipated horror project will materialize as a new film or series, or if it represents a transformation of existing projects under development. While plot elements for James Mangold’s film focusing on the inaugural Jedi, alongside a sequel outing featuring Daisy Ridley, have gathered interest, numerous other projects still veil themselves in mystery.
Directors Taika Waititi and Shawn Levy are committed to upcoming Star Wars films, yet neither of their storylines has been revealed, with casting processes appearing to progress for Levy’s project.
Star Wars enthusiasts eagerly await the premiere of Andor’s Season 2 on April 22, but until then, fans can delve into the inaugural season on Disney+ or immerse themselves in the expansive universe through the latest DLC for Star Wars: Outlaws.
The Star Wars franchise is available for streaming on Disney+.