Osgood Perkins, the director behind recent horror hits Longlegs and The Monkey, has made a surprising pitch for a new kind of Star Wars story. During a Reddit AMA, when asked about a dream project he’d want to bring to life, Perkins said he’d love to create “the collected dreams and nightmares of Darth Vader told as short stories.” It’s a bold concept that mixes the dark, psychological tone of his horror work with one of the most iconic characters in science fiction.
While nothing is official, the idea has people talking – and for good reason. Perkins has already proven he can deliver eerie, emotional storytelling, and he seems to be imagining Vader’s inner world in ways the franchise hasn’t fully explored yet. He’s not talking about another lightsaber battle or space chase. He’s talking about diving into Vader’s mind, showing us what haunts him at night.
This could be a collection of short stories or even a horror-themed Disney+ series. Each episode could explore a different moment from Anakin Skywalker’s past, twisted through the lens of fear, regret, or trauma. Think of nightmares tied to leaving his mother behind, losing Padmé, his betrayal by Obi-Wan, or the moment he became more machine than man. All of it could be shown not as canon flashbacks, but as surreal and emotional dreamscapes – nightmares shaped by guilt and pain.
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Perkins’s pitch brings up another key point: Vader isn’t just a villain. He’s a broken man. His path from slave to Jedi to Sith Lord was filled with loss and betrayal. In Revenge of the Sith, we saw him burn. In Obi-Wan Kenobi, we saw his obsession. In Return of the Jedi, we saw his redemption. But what about everything in between? What about the nights when the galaxy was quiet, and Vader was left alone with his thoughts?
The fan reaction online has been just as dramatic as the pitch itself. Some users loved the idea instantly. One wrote, “Do this yesterday,” while another said it should be “a limited run 10-episode series” starring Hayden Christensen. Many fans agree that Vader’s psychological state is rich ground for storytelling, especially if done in an anthology format.
Some even suggested story ideas themselves. One said Vader’s biggest nightmare could be Disney’s version of Luke turning into a failure – a jab at the sequels. Others imagined episodes focusing on Padmé or the child he never got to raise. Several users pointed out that Vader’s dreams have already been touched on in comics and Vader Immortal, but that didn’t stop them from wanting more. As one person said, “This could work really well as a short anthology series.”
However, not everyone is sold. Some called it too close to existing material. Others questioned how Disney would handle something so dark. A few comments, like “God no please, can we be a bit more creative?” or “Hollywood is going down the pits,” show that there’s still hesitation about pushing Star Wars into horror territory.
And of course, there are the skeptics. A few fans simply don’t believe the idea would ever happen – mainly because it doesn’t tie into Rey or other current Disney characters. One even joked, “Cool story bro, but it won’t happen. Kathy [Kennedy] doesn’t see where Rey can be added to this.”
Still, even those with doubts seem to agree on one thing: Darth Vader’s mind is one of the most powerful, painful, and mysterious places in the Star Wars universe. Whether or not Perkins gets the greenlight, he’s already planted a seed that fans are debating – and dreaming – about.