A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away—well, not that long ago—the Star Wars universe continued to evolve with twists, turns, and more than a little turbulence.
It’s been nearly five years since Star Wars last hit the big screen, and fans are set to wait another two before the franchise makes its triumphant return to theaters. Following Disney’s divisive sequel trilogy, Lucasfilm has pivoted hard toward streaming, with smash hits like The Mandalorian reshaping the galaxy’s narrative landscape on Disney+. But the studio’s big-screen ambitions remain, even if the road ahead looks rocky.
May 22, 2026, will see the theatrical debut of The Mandalorian and Grogu, directed by Star Wars mainstay Jon Favreau and produced by Dave Filoni. The film is expected to replace what would have been The Mandalorian Season 4, continuing the New Republic era’s ever-expanding storylines. Between The Book of Boba Fett, Ahsoka, and the upcoming Skeleton Crew, this timeline has become a core focus for the Star Wars franchise.
But beyond Mando and Grogu’s cinematic adventure, Lucasfilm’s movie slate is as uncertain as it is ambitious. Initially, 2026 was supposed to feature a second Star Wars release in December, speculated to be Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s Rey Skywalker-led film. However, Disney recently bumped the slot in favor of Ice Age 6, leaving fans questioning the future of the once-promising project.
If that wasn’t enough drama, a new report from industry insider Daniel Richtman (via Comic Book Movie) claims Taika Waititi’s untitled Star Wars film—infamously described by the director as something that would “piss people off”—has been quietly shelved. Meanwhile, Patty Jenkins’ on-again, off-again Star Wars: Rogue Squadron appears to be back in active development.
Jenkins recently opened up about her journey with Lucasfilm, revealing the behind-the-scenes shuffle that’s defined her involvement with Rogue Squadron. Speaking to Collider in March 2024, the Wonder Woman director said:
“So, when I left Star Wars to do Wonder Woman 3, I thought maybe I’d come back to Star Wars after Wonder Woman 3. So we did a deal for that to happen… but I thought I was doing Wonder Woman.”
When Wonder Woman 3 fell apart, Jenkins and Lucasfilm picked up where they left off:
“When that went away, Lucasfilm and I were like, oh, we gotta finish this deal. We finished the deal right as the [WGA/SAG-AFTRA] strike was happening. So I now owe a draft of Star Wars and we’ll see what happens there.”
Jenkins acknowledges the challenges ahead:
“It’s hard. They have a tough job ahead deciding what the first movie is going to be. They have other directors who’ve been working, but I’m now back on doing Rogue Squadron. We’ll see what happens. We need to develop it to a place where we’re both super happy with it.”
First announced in December 2020, Rogue Squadron was poised to introduce a new generation of starfighter pilots and take Star Wars into new territory. While it was removed from Disney’s release schedule in 2021, Richtman now reports the project is officially back in development, offering renewed hope to fans.
Looking ahead, Lucasfilm has no shortage of ambitious plans. Daisy Ridley will return as Rey Skywalker in a film exploring the birth of a new Jedi Order. Dave Filoni is set to direct a New Republic-era feature that will tie together the Disney+ shows, while James Mangold is tackling the “Dawn of the Jedi” era, a movie that dives into the origins of the Force itself.
As for Taika Waititi, the Thor: Ragnarok (2017) director had been developing his Star Wars project for several years. In late 2023, he told The Kelly Clarkson Show:
“I’ve been developing [the Star Wars film] for a few years, but I think with any film, especially that one, it’s something I really want to get right, so I don’t want to rush it.”
Unfortunately, Lucasfilm’s patience has run out, as reports suggest the project is no longer moving forward.
Adding another twist to the Star Wars saga, Simon Kinberg is reportedly developing a new trilogy that could move beyond the Skywalker Saga entirely. This rumored trilogy may even serve as Episodes X through XII, potentially leaving Obaid-Chinoy’s Rey-centric movie on shaky ground.
With so many projects in flux, Lucasfilm is walking a fine line between honoring its storied legacy and carving out bold new territory for the franchise. As fans wait for what’s next, one thing is certain: the galaxy far, far away is as unpredictable as ever.
What do you think about the shelving of Taika Waititi’s Star Wars movie? Are you ready for Rogue Squadron to take flight? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
