One of the best things to come out of Disney+ since 2019 is the diverse, talented pool of Star Wars directors resulting from it. With movies happening so infrequently, only a handful of directors would otherwise get the chance to bring their skills and unique perspectives to a galaxy far, far away.
While there aren't any Star Wars film trilogies coming out anytime soon, there are a few standout directors who could really bring the best the industry has to offer to such long-form projects. Here are just a few essential candidates.
1. Bryce Dallas Howard
Bryce Dallas Howard has had the fortune of directing multiple Star Wars TV episodes from shows such as The Mandalorian to Skeleton Crew. The reason so many fans are begging Howard to helm a trilogy is simple: Everything she's done in Star Wars has stood out in all the best ways.
The director has clearly learned a lot from her dad's iconic filmmaking and has already made a name for herself in the industry on both sides of the camera. Her work is thoughtful, personal, and memorable. Between the action, there is always heart, and who doesn't want a trilogy that so elegantly balances both?
2. Deborah Chow
If any director deserves a Star Wars film trilogy on quantity alone, it's Deborah Chow. She directed the entire Obi-Wan Kenobi limited series from 2022, a deep, impactful study of the fan-favorite character as he attempts to move on from the past while also facing his greatest fears.
Chow's work on the Disney+ series showed something unique: that when a Star Wars director is given control of a longer, more complex, and rewarding story, they have the potential to make it meaningful. Give Chow an entire film trilogy, and she'll likely present a Star Wars story better than most of what we've seen over the past decade.
3. Patty Jenkins
Patty Jenkins wasn't just tapped to direct a Star Wars film; there was a teaser trailer featuring the Wonder Woman director stepping into a starship pilot's uniform. Even though it's pretty certain a Rogue Squadron movie is off the table, that doesn't mean Jenkins has to stay out of a galaxy far, far away for good.
Jenkins could still one day craft a meaningful Star Wars trilogy about pilots. That original teaser alone proved she's extremely passionate and knowledgeable about flying, having an emotional connection to it because of her dad. She could bring a refreshing realness to the lives of pilots in Star Wars, and hopefully she'll still get the chance someday.
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