Dissecting the Missteps: Game of Thrones Creators Reflect on Their Unsuccessful Star Wars Project
Game of Thrones creators reveal insights into their Star Wars project, discussing challenges faced and lessons learned Gain valuable behind-the-scenes perspective on their experience in the renowned franchise
Prior to receiving a $200 million deal from Netflix, Game of Thrones showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss were collaborating with Lucasfilm on a Star Wars movie. After years of silence, they are now discussing the failed project and shedding light on what went awry. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Benioff revealed that they had intended to create "The First Jedi," a film exploring the origins of the Jedi Order and the first lightsaber.
Weiss expressed frustration with Rian Johnson's decision to title his movie The Last Jedi, stating, "He completely destroyed the obvious title for what we were working on."
Johnson, a longtime friend of Weiss and Benioff, is also a producer on their new Netflix series, 3 Body Problem.
Benioff explained that Lucasfilm did not respond favorably to the "very specific story idea" that he and Weiss proposed for The First Jedi. "Ultimately, they chose not to pursue it," he stated. "We understand completely. It's their company and their intellectual property, but we were not the right fit for their vision."
Lucasfilm is moving forward with a Jedi "origins" film titled Dawn of the Jedi, directed by James Mangold, known for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. Additionally, Benioff and Weiss opened up about their unsuccessful project, the HBO series Confederate, describing it as a "low point" for them. They expressed the sentiment that it's a part of the process to attempt projects that don't always pan out.
Weiss and Benioff are now making the TV show 3 Body Problem with co-creator Alexander Woo. The first trailer debuted at CES this week and can be seen above.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z fan, I am intrigued by the behind-the-scenes drama surrounding the Game of Thrones creators' unsuccessful Star Wars project. It's fascinating to learn about the challenges they faced and the creative differences that ultimately led to the project's demise. While I can understand their frustration with Rian Johnson's choice of title for his movie, I also appreciate Johnson's creative vision and the unique story he brought to the Star Wars universe.
The fact that Benioff and Weiss are now working on a new Netflix series, 3 Body Problem, shows that they are resilient and willing to take risks. I am excited to see what they bring to this new project and whether they can recapture the magic that made Game of Thrones such a global phenomenon. Overall, I believe that their experiences with the Star Wars project and Confederate have taught them valuable lessons that will serve them well in their future endeavors.
