Wonder Woman 1984 director Patty Jenkins shared she returned to the fold at Lucasfilm and is back at developing her previously announced film Rogue Squadron.
Rogue Squadron logo
Jenkins shared the revelation on the Talking Pictures Podcast when she was asked what her future was with Star Wars and franchise films in general.
She responded, “I don’t know the answer to that question. I am always, like I say, I’m always sort of outside myself watching myself at the same time, where I’m like, ‘Wow! I guess you’re gonna do this.’ I never thought I would find a home in tentpoles. Like, that’s not a thing I thought I would do.”
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Jenkins then specifically addressed Star Wars, “So, when I left Star Wars to do Wonder Woman 3, and I went and I started working on that, we talked about, ‘Okay, 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 I thought I was doing Wonder Woman 3. So when Wonder Woman 3 went away, Lucasfilm and I were like, ‘Oh! We gotta finish this deal.’ We finished the deal right as the strike was beginning. So I now owe a draft of Star Wars and so we will see what happens there. You know, like, who knows?”
“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 am now, you know, I’m back on doing Rogue Squadron and we’ll see what happens. We need to develop, you know, get it to where we’re both super happy with it,” she said.
Star Wars: Rogue Squadron (2021), Random House Worlds
When asked if she would be happy doing a Star Wars movie, Jenkins shared, “Absolutely. Absolutely. Because of exactly what I am saying. The emotion of Star Wars and what it stands for is something so beautiful in this world, and particularly what it can–”
“In a moment that we’re at right now where– Star Wars was born out of World War II, right? It’s born out of how do you make a metaphor and talk in metaphor, right? So, in that way I’ve always wanted to make a fighter pilot movie. It’s been a dream of mine. I always had a hard time with it because I’m in love with the jets of the ’70s and ’80s, and that’s not where the great dogfight stories are. And so Star Wars becomes a great playground for that,” she said. “I think Star Wars is so beautiful. So, yes, if I can do something beautiful and do something that serves that audience and is great, I would love to do it, of course, you know. But meanwhile, if I don’t, I may make my dog movie.”
The X-Wing Series: Star Wars Legends 10-Book Bundle (2016), Random House Worlds
The Rogue Squadron film was announced back in 2020 during Disney’s 2020 Investor Day. Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy stated, “And to close today, I couldn’t be more excited that our next Star Wars feature film will be directed by Patty Jenkins.”
“Patty, director of the Wonder Woman franchise will bring her inspired vision to Rogue Squadron. This story will introduce a new generation of starfighter pilots as they earn their wings and risk their lives in a boundary pushing, high speed thrill ride,” Kennedy continued.
She concluded, “The legend of Rogue Squadron has been long beloved by Star Wars fans and will move us into a future era of the galaxy. Rogue Squadron will be released in theaters Christmas of 2023.”
After the announcement Jenkins shared a video to social media where she shared her hopes to create “the greatest fighter pilot movie of all time.”
Star Wars: X-Wing Rogue Squadron #2 (1995), Marvel Comics
The film was plagued in development with multiple rumors that there were creative clashes with Jenkins and Lucasfilm. One such rumor surfaced in November 2021 from Puck’s Matthew Belloni, who detailed, “I talked to a few insiders this week that said the real culprit was the dreaded “creative differences”; specifically, Jenkins couldn’t agree on the script with Lucasfilm executives, including senior V.P. Michelle Rejwan.”
Lucasfilm eventually pulled the movie from its scheduled December 2023 release in September 2022.
By March 2023, Variety’s Adam B. Vary reported the film had been shelved. He wrote, “Sources with knowledge of the production say it is no longer in active development at the studio.”
Patty Jenkins via Flicks And The City Clips YouTube
As for what Jenkins originally had envisioned for the film, she told the AP, “I think the Michael Stackpole books and the video game and all of the Rogue Squadron books.”
“There is an incredibly history that it’s really important to honor. And yet it must be brought to a new age because we have to tell a new story with it,” Jenkins added.
Star Wars: X-Wing Rogue Squadron #32 (1998), Marvel Comics
She continued, “And so you are trying to blend the best of everything and make it the great fighter pilot movie, which I’ve always wanted to make as well. It’s a big brew of things you are trying to put together, and still keep a very simple story.”
“You are trying to bring the best of yourself and use it to make something beautiful that honors the legacy before you. But of course it’s a huge amount of pressure. And Wonder Woman was a huge amount of pressure as well. So it’s not a totally new feeling to me. Definitely nerve wracking,” Jenkins concluded.
Director Patty Jenkins (@PattyJenks) shares her vision for the next Star Wars film, “Rogue Squadron.” pic.twitter.com/ziXtu9v9p3
— AP Entertainment (@APEntertainment) June 29, 2021
What do you make of Jenkins claiming she’s back to work on Rogue Squadron? Do you think the film will be made?
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