Since the 2019 release of Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker, the future of the cinematic part of the Star Wars franchise has been in limbo, but recent information means there may be new hope going forward. Variety revealed that Lucasfilm has officially pulled two known upcoming Star Wars films from development. This indicates that Star Wars has been busy planning its cinematic future, and these two films aren’t a part of what Lucasfilm has settled on.
The two films that were pulled were Patty Jenkins’ Rogue Squadron and the unnamed film that was supposed to be produced by Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige. Jenkins’ film was originally scheduled to premiere in December 2023, but with the project no longer in development, that means there will be a longer wait to see another Star Wars film in theaters. Despite the extended hiatus, this delay can only spell good things for the Star Wars universe. As Disney CEO Bob Iger admitted when speaking at a Morgan Stanley conference, "We’re going to make sure that when we make one, that it’s the right one, so we are being very careful there."
Star Wars Movies Being Shelved Suggests Disney Finally Has A Real Plan
With the shelving of Kevin Feige’s unnamed film and Patty Jenkins’ Rogue Squadron, the Star Wars universe may actually have a roadmap to follow. For a while, there had been announcements of numerous projects in development, which gave no clear indicator of where the franchise was heading next. In fact, Rogue Squadron was reportedly set to take place after the events of The Rise of Skywalker and the entire Skywalker Saga. This would’ve been completely new territory for Star Wars to explore and set up stories for years to come. The shelving of the film indicates that Lucasfilm has a plan it is looking to follow going forward in the universe.
However, what that path forward is, is still unclear. It’s known that Damon Lindelof (Watchmen) and Taika Waititi (Thor: Love and Thunder) are still set to craft the next two Star Wars films, though specifics about the stories are unknown, as well as when in the timeline they’ll take place. These two films will be vital in setting the course for Star Wars’ cinematic future. Having a direction with clear parameters to meet to establish the road ahead for the franchise is exciting, and the fact that Lucasfilm has seemingly figured that out is a positive sign.
Disney Taking Its Time With New Star Wars Movies Is Good
The Star Wars franchise has not had much success in producing beloved films since Lucasfilm was acquired by Disney in 2012. The sequel trilogy was littered with directorial issues, and Ron Howard’s outing as director for Solo: A Story Wars Story was also rattled with behind-the-scenes drama that saw creative overhauls during production. These problems have caused mediocre films to be rushed out when they weren’t ready to be released. Star Wars taking its time now and resolving issues before they enter production is a positive.
The shelving of two films means that Lucasfilm is considering whether or not the next movies are the best path forward in terms of getting things right. While these films may be great additions to the larger universe, it’s more important that any issues get addressed early instead of Lucasfilm putting out another Star Wars film that doesn’t do as well as projected. With the two movies being shelved, there’s also the possibility they could still be made, just not now. These films, if they are ever picked back up, may also not be led by Feige or Jenkins, which could also be for the best.
What We Know About New Star Wars Movies
There isn’t too much known about what the upcoming Star Wars films will be about, or when in the timeline they would take place. It wouldn’t be too surprising to see Star Wars explore a completely new part of the timeline, maybe years after the end of The Rise of Skywalker. It may also be time for Star Wars to re-canonize some of the best stories from the now non-canon Legends continuity. It would be wise for Star Wars to stay away from parts of the timeline that have already been deeply explored to avoid the recast versus de-age issue that’s been popping up with characters like Lando Calrissian and Han Solo.
The next Star Wars film is said to be written by Lindelof and directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chony, and is most likely the film slated for 2025. Details on the film's plot are scarce, though it's said to be set around the sequel trilogy era; either way, the film has a lot riding on its success. In addition to Lindelof’s film, Waititi is slated to direct and potentially star in another upcoming film, presumably for a 2027 release. It also wouldn’t be too surprising to see Rian Johnson return to the Star Wars universe. When or if these films will be made remains to be seen, but the possibilities are seemingly endless.
While it’s disappointing that there won’t be a new Star Wars film until 2025, the shelving of Feige’s unnamed film and Jenkins’ Rogue Squadron is actually good news for the longevity of the Star Wars franchise. Lucasfilm taking its time to really map out the next cinematic chapter is very reassuring and shows that there’s a plan in place to bring a higher quality of films and storytelling to the galaxy. Star Wars Celebration in April promises brings some clarity to what the roadmap is going forward, paving the way for what Star Wars films are on the horizon.