Disney Cuts Ties With ‘Star Wars’ Series, Now Kathleen Kennedy Confirms Future
Amid ongoing debate within the Star Wars fandom, Kathleen Kennedy has weighed in on the future of the galaxy far, far away. Her comments arrive nearly a year after Disney pulled the plug on one of its most discussed—and divisive—projects: The Acolyte.
Disney Steps Away From Controversial Star Wars Series
The Acolyte had a difficult journey from the start. Touted as a “female-centric” addition to the Star Wars canon, the show instantly became a lightning rod for polarized reactions. While praised for embracing inclusivity—anchored by showrunner Leslye Headland and starring a cast led by Amandla Stenberg, Lee Jung-jae, Manny Jacinto, and Jodie Turner-Smith—the series was equally met with accusations of promoting a “woke agenda.”
Even with tantalizing lore threads like the mention of Darth Plagueis and the eerie Brendok mystery that hinted at Yoda’s past, the eight-episode series was not greenlit for a second season. Despite its rich narrative potential, Disney did not continue it. The decision, while surprising to some, was attributed to viewership numbers and the project’s financial scope.
“So as it relates to Acolyte, we were happy with our performance, but it wasn’t where we needed it to be given the cost structure of that title, quite frankly, to go and make a season two,” said Disney Entertainment co-chairman Alan Bergman. “So that’s the reason why we didn’t do that.”
Many in the fan community suspect the cancellation was not just about money. Vocal criticism and pressure from online detractors may have played a role in the show’s demise, despite its commitment to expanding Star Wars lore and representation.
Kennedy Signals a New Creative Era for Star Wars
With The Acolyte behind them, Lucasfilm appears to be steering its franchise in a fresh direction. Kennedy recently shared thoughts during a British Film Institute screening of the original 1977 Star Wars, revealing a shift away from strict continuity.
“I really think that now we’re in a position where it’s broadened the possibility of stories and filmmakers we can bring in to tell stories that mean something to them,” Kennedy said. “…it doesn’t necessarily have to connect to every little thing that’s been done in Star Wars; it can actually be a standalone story that then builds into many, many other stories.”
This approach contrasts with that of Chief Creative Officer Dave Filoni, whose works like The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels, and The Mandalorian have leaned heavily on interwoven storylines. Though celebrated for his world-building, Filoni’s interconnected narratives have sometimes prompted fatigue among fans who want fresher stories.
New Films Will Forge Their Own Paths
The first major test of Kennedy’s pivot comes with Star Wars: Starfighter, directed by Deadpool & Wolverine filmmaker Shawn Levy. Scheduled for release in May 2027, the film will feature Ryan Gosling and Mia Goth in a story set five years after the events of 2019’s Star Wars: Episode IX–The Rise of Skywalker, marking the franchise’s first exploration of a post-sequel galaxy.
At this year’s Star Wars Celebration, the standalone nature of the film was confirmed, aligning with Kennedy’s desire to broaden the narrative range of Star Wars projects.
In addition, producer Simon Kinberg is crafting a new trilogy that shifts the franchise even further away from the Skywalker storyline. Though details remain scarce, this set of films—initially speculated to be Episodes X, XI, and XII—promises to kick off a new era.
Legacy Characters Aren’t Gone Just Yet
Despite this movement toward standalone content, the saga’s familiar faces aren’t entirely fading. The planned Rey-centered film, helmed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, remains in limbo but hasn’t been scrapped. First announced in 2023, it was intended to explore Rey’s efforts to rebuild the Jedi Order after The Rise of Skywalker.
Filoni, meanwhile, is still involved in the Mando-Verse and is developing a movie that ties together threads from The Mandalorian, Ahsoka, and beyond. Although that film has been somewhat overshadowed by the upcoming The Mandalorian and Grogu, set for 2026 under Jon Favreau’s direction, Filoni’s movie is expected to follow as a finale to his interconnected storyline.
Finally, Taika Waititi is also still on the studio’s radar, with Kennedy expressing a desire to work with the director once his schedule opens up.
As Lucasfilm prepares for the next phase of Star Wars storytelling, Kennedy’s remarks signal a move toward greater flexibility and creative freedom. Whether that shift will restore fractured fandom or create new divisions remains to be seen.
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