Star Wars has always been about more than lightsabers, starfighters, and galaxy-spanning battles—though these are always cool to have. At its heart, though, it’s a story of family, friendship, and personal choices set against a massive backdrop. That balance has been key to the saga’s staying power, and now Simon Kinberg — the writer and producer attached to the new Star Wars trilogy — says finding that harmony is exactly what the next chapter of the franchise will aim to do.
The Star Wars tightrope
Telling a Star Wars story has never been easy. Lean too far into the politics and lore, and you lose the humanity of the story. Focus too much on character drama, and the galaxy suddenly feels too small. Whether you loved them or hated them, the prequel and sequel trilogies never quite captured the essence of the original trilogy.
The prequels delivered operatic battles and complex worldbuilding, but were often critiqued for their heavy politics. I mean... The Phantom Menace opened with the thrilling line: "The taxation of trade routes to outlying star systems is in dispute." The sequels, meanwhile, put characters like Rey and Kylo Ren front and center, but struggled to keep the larger story cohesive.
Fans have long wanted intense character moments intertwined with space opera. The Star Wars storytelling sweet spot is when galaxy-shaking events and intimate character arcs collide, reminding us that the fate of millions can hinge on the decisions of a few.
Simon Kinberg’s balanced vision
Enter Simon Kinberg. Best known for his work on the X-Men and Deadpool films, Kinberg is no stranger to balancing spectacle with heart. In a recent discussion about the new Star Wars trilogy, he stressed that the films must carry the weight of epic scale while still telling deeply personal stories (he also said he wants to lean heavily into the Andor formula with his movies).
"My favorite of the Star Wars movies is Empire Strikes Back, and it's because the balance between the epic and the intimate is so strong in that they're such personal stories. The stakes are really personal, and yet, obviously, there's all kinds of great science fiction. I think Andor did an extraordinary job of that, as well. It was such an emotional, intense, personal show that also had, obviously, massive stakes to it, and politics, and all of that."Simon Kinberg
Related: How Jedi: Fallen Order set a new standard for Star Wars storytelling
What it means for the future of Star Wars movies
This approach is exactly what Star Wars needs. After the divisive reactions to the sequels and spin-offs, many fans have wondered where the franchise would go next. Kinberg’s epic vs intimate Star Wars philosophy suggests fewer planet-destroying superweapons and more stories about characters whose choices ripple across the galaxy. Big stakes shown through personal stories.
That doesn’t mean the new trilogy will lack spectacle. On the contrary, the Star Wars brand practically demands jaw-dropping visuals, iconic space battles, and lightsaber duels that shake cinema seats. But if Kinberg has his way, those moments will serve the characters, not the other way around. By grounding the galactic scale in human drama, the new trilogy could appeal to longtime fans while also welcoming a new generation into the saga.
Related: House of the Dragon and Doctor Who star to join the Star Wars universe
Final thoughts
At its best, Star Wars has always been about balance—between light and dark, destiny and choice, family and galaxy. Now Simon Kinberg wants to carry that same balance into the storytelling of the new Star Wars trilogy. Epic and intimate, vast and personal, spectacular and heartfelt.
If Kinberg can deliver, the Force may truly be with this next generation of Star Wars films.