May the 4th be with you… yes, it’s that time of year again, so we’re celebrating by exploring why now is the perfect time for a Star Wars horror movie.
In the vast universe of cinema, few franchises have captured audience’s imaginations quite like Star Wars. For decades, George Lucas’s epic space opera has transported us to galaxies far, far away, with countless tales surrounding the relentless struggle between light and dark.
But, it hasn’t been the easiest ride of late — and I’m not just talking about Star Wars’ meme-worthy moments. Amid Disney having its worst year in recent memory in 2023, the franchise has stuck solely to pumping out TV shows with varying success. The Mandalorian Season 3 was the worst one yet, Ahsoka had its ups and downs but did little to revive excitement, and a series of movie cancellations left fans apprehensive about new projects.
It’s not all been bad, however. There are plenty of reasons to get excited about The Acolyte and one of the best shows Andor is getting a Season 2. But with trust in the franchise dwindling, I think now is the perfect time to get a Star Wars horror movie off the ground.
Sci-fi and horror are a match made in heaven
First things first, science fiction and horror go hand-in-hand. The genre has always been a playground for blurring genres and exploring the depths of human fear. Still, while certain Star Wars titles have featured horror elements (more on this in a bit), we’re yet to see the franchise lean into these themes fully on screen.
Prime examples of these genre-bending franchises include the chest-busting terrors of Alien, Charlie Brooker’s endlessly entertaining Black Mirror, and the heart-racing action of Terminator (it is a horror franchise and I will die on this hill). Jordan Peele’s proven his chops in this world with his ability to deftly weave social themes into his sci-fi horrors such as Us and Nope. And let’s not forget John Carpenter’s The Thing, demonstrating how to effectively evoke terror while exploring complex themes.
Within the Star Wars universe, we’ve seen glimpses of horror already, notably in its range of supervillains such as Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine. Over the years, we’ve also been introduced to a trove of otherworldly monsters. Though it might not have quite the same impact today, the Exogorth that gives Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) a fright in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back was child-me’s ultimate jump-scare.
The title alone indicates the franchise is filled with plenty of violence, too. Though not a gory moment as such, it was pretty brutal to see Anakin Skywalker choose the dark side and slice Mace Windu’s hand off with his lightsaber in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith.
But some of the best horror moments were introduced in the Star Wars animated series The Clone Wars, with the canon debut of the Nightsisters, a coven of powerful Force users who wielded dark magic on the planet of Dathomir. Their eerie rituals and malevolent powers hinted at the darker side of the Force, offering a glimpse into the potential for horror within the Star Wars universe.
Star Wars and zombies and ghosts, oh my!
Another reason it’s time for a Star Wars horror movie? There’s just so much material to draw from. An idea that comes to mind is a zombie-style flick based on the undead henchmen seen in Joe Schreiber’s 2009 horror Star Wars novel Death Troopers.
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Alternatively, the franchise could go down the possession route. We’ve seen similar themes in past Star Wars titles; for instance, in the Clone Wars episode ‘Altar of Mortis’, the Son possesses Ashoka to do his evil bidding. In the comics, we’ve seen the Mask of Lord Momin being used to possess hosts with the essence of the Sith Lord.
Another trove of ideas can be found in John Whitman’s Galaxy of Fear book series. The first, Eaten Alive, sees siblings Tash and Zak visiting a planet, only to discover residents appear to be vanishing into thin air. City of the Dead, the next volume, involves the galaxy’s biggest cemetery. But one that could be fun is the fourth book, The Nightmare Machine, notably due to a theme park attraction that scans your brain and makes your worst fears a reality.
Alternatively, a Star Wars horror movie could simply offer a fresh spin on the timeless struggle between Jedi and Sith, giving us more jump scares and gore than we’ve seen in the past. These are just a few examples from the ever-expanding universe of Star Wars lore that are ripe for a retelling with fear as the main ingredient.
Director Mike Flanagan, known for his work on the likes of The Haunting of Hill House and Doctor Sleep, would be an ideal choice to helm such a project. His ability to blend psychological horror with supernatural elements could lend a unique atmosphere to a Star Wars horror.
It’s now or never
As said, in recent years, the Star Wars franchise has faced its share of challenges, from financial issues at Disney to criticisms of the varying quality of its content. So, what better time than to explore new avenues and generate some excitement about the galaxy far, far away?
Let’s face it — there are a lot of Star Wars projects currently in development. But as you will have noticed, the franchise has relied heavily on its TV releases of late, with the last film, Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker, dropping back in 2019. And whether you agree with this sentiment or not, the brand has frequently been roped into the franchise fatigue conversations.
“I think it’s time to let Star Wars go,” wrote one fan this week. “We all know that Disney/LFL is going to do whatever they want to do. They will not listen to fans. They will continue to destroy it. Once done, they will wash their hands of it. I’d give it two years.” In response to news that The Acolyte is moving away from George Lucas’ vision of the Force, another said, “Yep, it’s time to move on. Star Wars is dead and it’s never coming back.”
The feedback isn’t universally negative, but my point is that now more than ever is the perfect time to make a bold move, and what better way than to go full-on horror? By tapping into the horrifying elements of previous titles, such a film could push the boundaries of the franchise and draw in viewers looking for something fresh. So, May the 4th awaken your darkest fears… it’s time for Star Wars to embrace the horror genre with open arms.
For more on Star Wars, check out The Acolyte release date, Tales of the Jedi Season 2, and everything we know about the Mandalorian and Grogu movie. You can also find the horror movies to get excited about in 2024.
