The Star Wars universe has lengthy been a playground for filmmakers trying to inform epic tales of heroism, journey and galactic battle. However what if somebody took the franchise in a darker, extra terrifying course? The Monkey director Osgood Perkins has an concept for an upcoming horror film set within the galaxy far, distant, and it will take the franchise into genuinely chilling territory—and truthfully, I hope it occurs.
Osgood Perkins chatted with followers throughout a Reddit AMA and was requested what story he’d inform if he had a limiteless price range and cutting-edge expertise at his disposal. His reply was one thing no Star Wars fan has ever seen in a live-action manufacturing:
The collected desires and nightmares of Darth Vader advised as brief tales.
Let that sink in for a second. A horror anthology sequence exploring the twisted unconscious of certainly one of cinema’s biggest scene-stealing villains? That idea alone has the potential to redefine what Star Wars storytelling will be. Tapping into Vader’s desires and nightmares may provide an unsettling, psychological deep dive into his psyche—one full of visions of torment, remorse and worry, all wrapped in a supernatural horror aesthetic.
Horror isn’t a style sometimes related to Star Wars, however the franchise has actually flirted with it earlier than. Darth Vader is already probably the most terrifying figures within the historical past of the most effective sci-fi motion pictures, usually framed like a scary film monster in movies like Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. His gradual, methodical actions, the eerie sound of his mechanical respiratory and his unstoppable energy make him a pure topic for a fear-driven story.
Earlier than Disney purchased Star Wars from George Lucas, they put out just a few horror novels. There have been zombie books like Loss of life Troopers and Pink Harvest, written by Joe Schreiber. Plus, within the mid to late ’90s, they’d this twelve-book sequence for younger adults referred to as Galaxy of Concern, which was form of like R.L Stine’s Goosebumps. Extra lately, the franchise additionally tapped into the style by the use of the 2023 comedian e book crossover occasion Darkish Droids.
So horror isn’t fully off the desk. Because the Disney acquisition, although, these aforementioned tales (sans Darkish Droids) are now not canon and are thought-about “legends.” However with rumors that Kathleen Kennedy, the president of Lucasfilm, is perhaps leaving by the tip of the yr, it could possibly be a very good time to shake issues up and discover new instructions for Star Wars.
Osgood Perkins’ concept for an anthology may actually dive into the thoughts video games of being a Sith Lord. Image Anakin Skywalker being haunted by the Jedi he took out, getting flashes of Padmé drifting away, and feeling like he’s only a puppet for the Emperor. The Drive may even be proven as this creepy, Lovecraftian factor that messes with actuality in methods we’ve by no means seen in Star Wars. A few of these flashbacks have been employed in Vader-centric comedian books, however the considered seeing them offered in live-action with Perkins overseeing the venture could possibly be really terrifying.
This idea may additionally deliver a contemporary anthology vibe to the franchise, taking notes from reveals like The Twilight Zone and Black Mirror that nail these brief, spine-chilling tales. With all of the wealthy lore in SW, there’s tons of potential for brief tales about historical Sith rituals and spooky elements of the galaxy.
Proper now, although, it’s simply an concept—there’s no phrase that Lucasfilm is engaged on any horror-themed tasks. Nonetheless, with studios stepping into style mashups recently—like Werewolf by Night time including gothic horror to the MCU and What If… exploring zombies—it seems like the right time for an upcoming Star Wars film or sequence to strive one thing like this.
For now, we will benefit from the work of Osgood Perkins, whose Stephen King adaptation, The Monkey, has already hit the 2025 film launch schedule. Be sure you verify your native listings for showtimes. Moreover, if you would like to revisit all of the tales advised within the Galaxy Far, Far Away, you’ll be able to stream them with a Disney+ subscription.