5 Reasons Dathomir Should Be The Focus Of The First 'Star Wars' Horror Film
Image Source: CultureSlate
As the Star Wars universe continues to expand, many fans have begun pointing out that it is time for there to be new genres introduced into the catalog. In October 2021, Midnight Mass creator Mike Flanagan threw his hat into the ring for consideration to bring Star Wars fans their first horror film of the franchise. There is no shortage of possible creatures, planets, or villains that would be perfect for a horror film or possible series. A planet often overlooked in the conversation is Dathomir.
The planet of Dathomir is all but unknown to most Star Wars fans. While the planet has been mentioned in stories throughout other projects, it would not be introduced to fans until season 3 episode 12 of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Since then it has been featured in Star Wars: Rebels and Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.
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Here are five reasons the planet of Dathomir should be the focus of the first Star Wars horror film!
5. What is Dathomir?
Image Source: Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order: Wiki
Many fans who have not watched the animated content or played Jedi: Fallen Order probably have no idea what Dathomir is. That is part of what makes it the perfect candidate for a horror film. Even fans who have been introduced to the planet know little more about it than that it is the birthplace of the infamous Darth Maul, and home to the Nightsisters and Nightbrothers.
The mystery surrounding this planet gives the writers and director an endless amount of possibilities. Fans will also have no preconceived notion as to what horrors will await them in the film since the planet has not been explored the way most of the other planets in Star Wars have.
4. A Chill-Inducing Planet
Image Source: CultureSlate
The planet of Dathomir can send chills down the spines of fans without any creatures or characters present. Cloaked in blood-red light from its central star, the planet is ominous, to say the least. Thorny and dangerous vegetation covers most of the planet with swampy areas and sheer drop-offs making up the rest. Hanging from the dead and decaying trees are the Nightsisters' burial pods only adding to the already foreboding setting. The planet can act not only as the setting but also as a character adding to the terror of the film.
With plants like the Bleeding Gut and the Grave Thorn, it seems like Dathomir was created to be the perfect setting for a future horror film.
3. Run For Your Life!
Image Source: Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order: Wiki
Fans of Jedi: Fallen Order know first-hand the perils that await on Dathomir. Along with the previously mentioned dangerous vegetation, Dathomir is home to a multitude of deadly and terrifying creatures.
Dathomir is not only the home of the classic Star Wars creature the Rancor, but it is also home to the Bane Back Spider and the Lesser Nydak. The Bane Back Spider can project venomous saliva and emit toxic fumes from its corpse. The Lesser Nydak is referred to in Dathomirian lore as the “scourge of Dathomir” and is an apex predator with the ability to climb almost any surface and carry out sneak attacks on its prey.
2. Dark Force Magic
Image Source: CultureSlate
The Nightsisters were first introduced in Dave Wolverton’s 1994 Star Wars Legends novel The Courtship of Princess Leia. They would not be introduced into the current canon until season 3 of Star Wars: The Clones Wars. Since their introduction, they have appeared in Star Wars: Rebels as well as Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.
Not only are the Nightsisters a coven of powerful witches, but they are also capable of possessing any individual, including Jedi, as seen in Star War: Rebels. While the fact that they are witches using the dark side of the force and capable of possession should be terrifying enough, they can also come back as zombies. As seen in The Clone Wars and Jedi: Fallen Order the burial pods covering the planet can be split open to reveal zombie Nightsisters that are just as powerful as their living counterparts.
1. Endless Subgenre Possibilities
Image Source: IMDb
What makes Dathomir the perfect candidate for a Star Wars horror film is the multitude of subgenres that could be used to create either a terrifying film or possibly even a horror series. The creator could create a psychological horror film centering on the abilities of the Nightsisters, the focus could be placed on the undead Nightsisters, or we could get a Star Wars creature feature.
The possibilities are truly endless with where Lucasfilm could go with a Star Wars horror film focused on Dathomir.
Would you be excited to watch a Star Wars horror film? What planet or creature would you like them to focus on? I know I am keeping my eyes peeled for when we get our first Star Wars horror film!
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Source(s): Star Wars.com [1], [2], [3], Electronic Arts