A big Hollywood star in the galaxy far, far away?
The big-screen galaxy far, far away seems to be stuck in hyperspace limbo. While Lucasfilm juggles a plethora of projects, fans have been left waiting over five years for a new Star Wars movie—and the wait won’t end until nearly seven years have passed. What’s really going on?
After the polarizing sequel trilogy, Lucasfilm appears hesitant to take another plunge into theaters. Instead, Disney+ has become the new frontier for Star Wars storytelling. Since 2019’s The Mandalorian rocked the streaming world, numerous shows have launched on the platform, cementing Lucasfilm’s focus on the small screen.
But the tides are turning. The Mandalorian and its fan-favorite duo, Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and Grogu, are making the leap to theaters in a Jon Favreau-directed movie. This feature film, which seems to have replaced the scrapped The Mandalorian Season 4, will further delve into the New Republic era—a timeline explored in The Book of Boba Fett, Ahsoka, and Skeleton Crew.
Mark your calendars for May 22, 2026—the official release date for The Mandalorian and Grogu. Originally, a second Star Wars film was slated to follow that December, but Disney recently swapped the slot—rumored to belong to Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s Rey Skywalker movie—with Ice Age 6 under 20th Century Studios.
Currently, The Mandalorian and Grogu remains the sole confirmed and dated Star Wars film. Meanwhile, whispers of other projects in development keep the rumor mill churning.
According to insider Daniel Richtman, Taika Waititi’s untitled Star Wars project has been shelved. His vision, which he said would “piss people off,” has reportedly been set aside as Patty Jenkins’ Rogue Squadron makes a comeback.
Patty Jenkins, best known for the Wonder Woman franchise, shared exciting news about her return to Star Wars in March 2024. Speaking to Collider, Jenkins explained how her collaboration with Lucasfilm resumed during the WGA/SAG-AFTRA strikes.
“When Wonder Woman 3 didn’t move forward, Lucasfilm and I finalized the deal we had started,” Jenkins revealed. “I now owe them a draft of Rogue Squadron, so we’ll see what happens next.”
Acknowledging the challenges Lucasfilm faces in reviving its theatrical slate, Jenkins added, “It’s a tough challenge figuring out the first movie they should release. But I’m back working on Rogue Squadron, and we’re developing it to a point where everyone’s happy.”
First announced in December 2020, Rogue Squadron promised a high-octane adventure featuring a new generation of starfighter pilots. After being removed from Disney’s release schedule, the project now appears to be back on track, offering hope to fans eager for new Star Wars adventures.
Meanwhile, Taika Waititi’s Star Wars journey seems to have hit a dead end. Known for his unconventional storytelling in Thor: Ragnarok (2017) and Thor: Love and Thunder (2022), Waititi expressed his commitment to “getting it right” during a 2023 interview on The Kelly Clarkson Show.
Another name in the mix is Shawn Levy, director of Disney’s billion-dollar Deadpool & Wolverine (2024). Levy has been attached to a Star Wars project since 2022, but production will reportedly begin only after his work on Netflix’s Stranger Things Season 5 is complete. Levy recently shed some light on his Star Wars plans.
“Because Deadpool & Wolverine was so fulfilling, I’m quite happily open to whatever’s next,” Levy told IndieWire. “And yes, there’s a Star Wars movie that I’m developing, actually with our Adam Project screenwriter Jonathan Tropper. You never know what’s going to become undeniable and get made next.”
Rumors suggest Levy’s project is gaining momentum—and there may be an A-list star in the mix. “According to scooper @MyTimeToShineH, Shawn Levy’s Star Wars movie is moving fast, and they even offered the lead role to a well-known A-list actor,” reported SFF Gazette.
Could Ryan Reynolds, one of Levy’s frequent collaborators, bring his signature charisma to Star Wars? Or might Stranger Things breakout star Millie Bobby Brown be the next big addition to the galaxy?
Beyond Rogue Squadron and Shawn Levy’s movie, Lucasfilm has several ambitious projects brewing. Daisy Ridley is set to return as Rey Skywalker, leading a film about the formation of a new Jedi Order directed by Oscar-winning documentarian Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy. Additionally, James Mangold, director of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023), will explore the origins of the Force in a standalone project—a concept reminiscent of the scrapped trilogy from Game of Thrones showrunners D.B. Weiss and David Benioff.
Dave Filoni’s cinematic endeavor is expected to tie together the New Republic-era narratives, seemingly drawing inspiration from the iconic “Heir to the Empire” saga.
In a surprising twist, Simon Kinberg is reportedly developing a new Star Wars trilogy that could step away from the Skywalker Saga entirely. This ambitious series might even replace Obaid-Chinoy’s Rey movie as Episodes X through XII, leaving fans wondering how the future of Star Wars will take shape.
As the Star Wars galaxy continues to expand, blending its legendary past with bold new directions, fans are left with one question: What’s next? Anticipation is building, but the stakes are higher than ever.
What do you think of the evolving Star Wars slate? Join the conversation with us and share your thoughts below!
