We're currently in the midst of a Star Wars renaissance. Because in addition to the main installments, Disney is producing standalone films that will expand the new canon. And given the massive critical and box office success that Rogue One: A Star Wars Story was met with, we can expect a new Star Wars movie every year for the forseeable future. With the untitled Han Solo movie as the next standalone film in theaters, fans have been eagerly anticipated which new stories will be introduced. Director Guillermo del Toro has previously expressed interest in a intergalactic war movie focusing on Jabba The Hutt, so is that a possibility now?
No. At least not yet. Guillermo del Toro recently spoke to Collider about his various projects, and the conversation eventually turned to Star Wars. So is the Jabba movie happening, or would he be interested in another character? Del Toro said,
There are some characters that are great. And I have talked to Kathleen Kennedy and John Knoll about ideas. But you know, I want to do my shit. I want to do it first. I'm veering a lot towards animation. I love animation.
Well, at least he's honest. And while this wasn't a confirmation, he didn't shut down the possibility entirely.
It's clear from Guillermo del Toro's statement that a Jabba the Hutt movie isn't going to be produced anytime soon. While the announcement of the next standalone film(s) loom above the franchise, quite a few meetings and logisitical work would probably need to be done in order for del Toro to be involved in the next movie or two. So it's safe to say that one of the other standalone film rumors have a far better chance at making it to the silver screen.
But Guillermo del Toro certainly hasn't ruled out the possibility of helming a Star Wars movie. But because of his specific vision and creativity, the director won't be involved in any sort of cookie cutter sequel. As always, he'll want creative control, and to make it his "shit". And we can't blame him- getting behind a Star Wars movie is a massive amount of pressure, so he should at least feel fulfilled artistically.
And perhaps Guillermo del Toro's interest in animation could lend itself well to a Jabba the Hutt movie. We can assume that creating Jabba would take some detailed CGI and animation work, so bringing the giant space slug to life could be an exciting prospect. And being able to flesh out and form the world of such a tertiary character may allow him more freedom than a standalone film starring one of the franchise's leads.
Alas, we'll have to continue waiting before the next Star Wars standalone film is announced. Your next trip to a galaxy far, far away with be with Star Wars: The Last Jedi on December 15, 2017.
