This guy summarizes it best. Very good way of putting things, no rant or hating or whatever, just his views that IMO capture perfectly what we keep discussing.
https://youtu.be/C95o0MRzBVs
That was a great video!
Unfortunately, films immortalize the decisions people make at the time they feel is best in telling the best story, but can only learn from the mistakes made after the fact and hope they aren't made again the next time around, but again, unfortunately the film is permanent and cannot be gone back to and changed in its direction. The story must go forward and hopefully with that the lessons taken, not only from the creation of the film, but for the writing of the characters going forward, have to move forward from it.
We go through life making so many mistakes, learn, move on and hopefully move forward in a positive way. Thankfully most of those things remain as memories and not a published document for the world to see for all eternity, like a movie.
I know these films have to remain tight-lipped and secret, but I also don't think it's a bad idea to bring a very small group of passionate thinkers together to collaborate and "fact check" each other just to be sure they're covering all angles of this massive universe and the characters and their actions. It's very easy for one person to slip up and miss something that can throw everything fundamentally out of whack.
I've co-wrote before with people and it's amazing when you have what you think is a very clear idea and direction, but then the other person tells you, "But what about ________?" And while what you thought felt clear at the time, suddenly it isn't because of one minor detail you forgot to consider, which then makes you change that thought, or at least want to make a small modification to address that "what-about".
I think these films, the ideas, the characters... its just too large to put a screenplay in the hands of one person. OR if in the hands of one person, have a small group of historians and experts who are contractually bound in secrecy be required to meet and decide if it all makes sense before moving forward. I know this slows the process of the Disney train moving forward on their ambitious deadlines, but I think there's a lot of love for Star Wars to keep it rolling full steam ahead regardless.
I don't think I would ever want the responsibility of writing and directing a Star Wars film. It' so much bigger than me and the amount of pressure to deliver something amazing to all audiences, especially the hard-core fans, would be just too heavy. I would absolutely collaborate and love to be part of the process, but i'm not even sure I could trust myself to be the one writer single-handedly mapping out the next course heading with that much certainty that it is the best direction for everyone and everything.