A new chapter of Star Wars is coming imminently.
The original Star Wars trilogy didn’t just change cinema—it launched an enduring cultural phenomenon. Decades later, that galaxy far, far away is still thriving despite a slew of stalled projects lurking behind Lucasfilm’s secretive walls. Fans, however, remain devoted, eagerly awaiting the franchise’s next leap to the silver screen.
That moment is closer than you might think. In just over a year, Jon Favreau’s The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026) will debut, potentially replacing The Mandalorian Season 4. Meanwhile, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s Rey Skywalker film was expected to take the lead in Lucasfilm’s theatrical slate. However, that torch now seems to have passed to Shawn Levy, director of Deadpool & Wolverine (2024).
Levy’s film, first announced in late 2022, had been shrouded in mystery until recently. Now, reports suggest A-list talent is attached, with production potentially beginning this fall in the United Kingdom. That talent? Ryan Gosling, who is rumored to headline the project.
Even ten years after Disney acquired Lucasfilm, Star Wars is still searching for stable footing. The sequel trilogy (2015–2019) divided fans, and the Disney+ offerings have been hit-or-miss. Series like The Book of Boba Fett and The Acolyte faced significant backlash, with the latter ultimately canceled due to low viewership.
As fans await the next chapter on-screen, Marvel Comics is revisiting the beloved original trilogy era. Set in the aftermath of Star Wars: Episode VI–Return of the Jedi (1983), a new comic series reimagines Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Han Solo (Harrison Ford), and Princess Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher) in a fresh narrative.
“It’s the dawn of the New Republic, and as the dust settles after the Battle of Jakku, our rebel heroes—Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia Organa, and Han Solo—find themselves forging a new order as pirates and thieves swarm to fill the power vacuum left behind by the fallen Empire,” reads the official description for this new era.
Written by Alex Segura and illustrated by Phil Noto, the series picks up after the Battle of Jakku trilogy and reimagines these iconic characters during an uncharted period in Star Wars history.
“Alex is an amazing writer and has come up with some great storylines and new characters for this series, and I’m thrilled for the opportunity to bring them to life on the page!” Noto shared with StarWars.com. “It’s also been exciting to draw the classic characters in the post-Return of the Jedi era because there are no existing film or TV versions of them. I get to create new looks for them while also having reference of the actors from the 80s to help sell the look of this timeline.”
Segura added, “Following the culmination of the Battle of Jakku comics, we can speed ahead into a new, uncharted era, with some new galactic threats, foes, and mysteries for our beloved heroes to grapple with, blending the familiar with the new and shocking.”
Star Wars is no stranger to expanding its cinematic universe through tie-in media. Comics, novels, audio dramas, and video games have enriched the saga for years. In fact, Lucasfilm recently announced a new series centered on Kylo Ren, exploring his growing obsession with Darth Vader in the wake of Star Wars: Episode VIII–The Last Jedi (2017).
How do you feel about the return of Luke, Han, and Leia? Let us know in the comments below!
