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‘Star Wars’ Suffers Another Major Setback as Lucasfilm Axes Upcoming Series

Lucasfilm has reportedly halted work on another Star Wars project.

The Disney-owned studio has spent much of the past decade expanding the Star Wars franchise across theaters and Disney+. Since launching in 2019, the streaming service has released live-action series including The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ahsoka, and Andor.

'The Mandalorian' Season 3 poster
Credit: Lucasfilm

However, its output has slowed in recent years. The second season of Andor, which concluded in May 2025, remains the franchise’s most recent live-action Disney+ release, while several other Star Wars projects have encountered delays or uncertain futures.

Now, reports indicate that another series has been sidelined after months of development, although Lucasfilm has yet to publicly acknowledge the project.

New ‘Star Wars’ Series Reportedly Shelved After Eight Months

According to Knight Edge Media, Lucasfilm spent much of 2026 developing an unannounced Star Wars series from Jon Watts and Christopher Ford, the creators of Star Wars: Skeleton Crew (2024).

The series was reportedly planned as an eight-episode live-action production for Disney+, with a full writers’ room assembled in January 2026. Work continued until August, but the project has since gone quiet.

Unlike Skeleton Crew, which drew inspiration from pirate adventures, the new series was reportedly being developed as a western. It was intended as a separate project rather than a second season of the Jude Law-led show.

However, its current status remains uncertain. Knight Edge Media reported that Lucasfilm may have temporarily shelved the series or canceled it entirely. The company did not comment on the report.

No cast, release date, or filming schedule was ever announced. It is also unclear which characters or period of Star Wars history the series would have explored.

Daisy Ridley as Rey
Credit: Lucasfilm

Watts is already an established name at Disney, having directed Tom Holland’s first three Spider-Man movies for Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures. He subsequently joined Lucasfilm to develop Skeleton Crew with Ford.

That series followed four children who become lost in a dangerous part of the galaxy after discovering a mysterious spacecraft. Law portrayed Jod Na Nawood, a Force-sensitive figure who initially helps the children before revealing his true intentions.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding their second television project, Watts is reportedly continuing his relationship with Lucasfilm on the big screen.

In September 2026, reports emerged that Watts would direct the first movie in a new Star Wars trilogy written by Simon Kinberg, whose credits include the X-Men movies and Star Wars Rebels.

The trilogy has been linked to a possible continuation of the Skywalker Saga, which concluded with Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker in 2019. Daisy Ridley’s Rey could potentially return, although Lucasfilm has not confirmed any casting details.

Watts’ reported involvement in the movie may explain why his Disney+ project has stalled. However, there has been no official confirmation that the two developments are connected.

Poe Dameron in an orange pilot suit and white vest stands in front of a black and orange spacecraft, appearing ready for action. The setting suggests a sci-fi, futuristic environment.
Credit: Lucasfilm

Lucasfilm Has Several Other ‘Star Wars’ Projects in Limbo

The reported setback follows a lengthy period of uncertainty for several previously announced Star Wars movies.

In 2023, Lucasfilm announced that Daisy Ridley would reprise her role as Rey in a standalone movie directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy. Set after The Rise of Skywalker, the film would follow Rey’s attempts to establish a new Jedi Order.

More than three years later, the project remains without a confirmed release date, despite undergoing changes behind the scenes.

Patty Jenkins’ Rogue Squadron has also faced delays. Announced in December 2020, the movie was originally scheduled for release in December 2023 before Disney removed it from its theatrical calendar.

Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker and Rey in 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi'
Credit: Lucasfilm

Meanwhile, James Mangold’s planned movie exploring the earliest Jedi remains on hold. Taika Waititi’s proposed Star Wars film, first announced in 2020, has similarly failed to secure a release date.

There are, however, confirmed additions to the franchise on the horizon.

The next live-action Star Wars series arriving on Disney+ is Ahsoka Season 2, which premieres January 20, 2027. Rosario Dawson returns as Ahsoka Tano, alongside Natasha Liu Bordizzo, Hayden Christensen, and Lars Mikkelsen.

The second season will continue the battle against Grand Admiral Thrawn following the events of the first season, which debuted in August 2023. Its release comes more than three years after the original installment.

The delay means 2026 will be the first calendar year since Disney+ launched without a new live-action Star Wars series.

Grogu shocked in 'The Mandalorian'
Credit: Lucasfilm

However, the franchise returned to theaters earlier this year with The Mandalorian and Grogu, the first theatrical Star Wars release since 2019.

Next up is Star Wars: Starfighter, directed by Shawn Levy and starring Ryan Gosling. The standalone movie is scheduled to arrive in theaters on May 28, 2027, during the franchise’s 50th anniversary year.

Set five years after The Rise of Skywalker, the film follows a new group of characters rather than continuing the Skywalker family’s story directly.

As for Watts’ unannounced Disney+ series, Lucasfilm has offered no indication of whether production will eventually move forward. For now, its reported eight months of development have not resulted in an officially confirmed show.

Chloe James

Chloë is a theme park addict and self-proclaimed novelty hunter. She's obsessed with all things Star Wars, loves roller coasters (but hates Pixar Pal-A-Round), and lives for Disney's next Muppets project.

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