Ever since Disney acquired Lucasfilm in 2012, Star Wars has remained deeply connected to George Lucas’ original trilogy and prequel trilogy.
While the post-acquisition era introduced the sequels and expanded storytelling across Disney+, much of the franchise has continued to lean heavily on legacy characters, settings, and continuity established decades earlier.
Disney Relies a LOT on George Lucas' Star Wars Trilogies
At first glance, the modern era appears to chart new ground. After all, the sequel trilogy, beginning with The Force Awakens (2015), is set 30 years after Return of the Jedi (1983), while recent Disney+ series such as The Mandalorian (2019), The Book of Boba Fett (2021), and Ahsoka (2023) explore the New Republic period in between eras.
However, these stories still operate within the shadow of the original trilogy, frequently revisiting familiar names, iconography, and narrative threads.
From Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher) to Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Chewbacca, C-3PO, and R2-D2, legacy figures have continued to shape the Disney era across film and television, even if most of their appearances have been fleeting.
Even standalone entries such as Rogue One (2016) and Solo (2018) reinforced ties to the original saga through characters, events, and direct connections to Lucas' trilogies.
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The same pattern extends beyond live-action.
Animated projects like Rebels (2014) and The Bad Batch (2021) revisit or expand Lucas-era storytelling, while newer High Republic projects such as The Acolyte (2024) explore earlier timelines but still occasionally feature legacy cameos.
Even Disney Park experiences like Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge blend newer sequel-era settings with original trilogy iconography such as the Millennium Falcon. Increasingly, legacy characters are reappearing in park attractions, further reinforcing the franchise’s connection to its origins.
A New Star Wars Era Begins in 2027
Now, attention is turning toward what comes next. With new theatrical projects like Shawn Levy's Star Wars: Starfighter (2027) starring Ryan Gosling positioned beyond the sequel trilogy, Lucasfilm appears to be exploring an entirely new chapter in the franchise timeline—one less anchored to past eras and more focused on forward expansion.
The new film follows The Mandalorian & Grogu (2026), the franchise’s first time in theaters since The Rise of Skywalker (2019). However, the film, which was released on May 22 and is still in theaters now, has struggled to connect with audiences, receiving mixed responses and underperforming compared to broader franchise expectations. Its reception has further intensified discussion around whether the Mando-Verse represents a closing chapter rather than a long-term cinematic direction for Star Wars.
Whether Star Wars: Starfighter signals a true shift after The Mandalorian & Grogu or is simply another evolution within an interconnected saga remains to be seen.
Star Wars: Starfighter releases on May 28, 2027.
Do you think Disney is right to move beyond the Skywalker Saga and explore a new part of the Star Wars timeline, or should the franchise continue building on familiar characters and stories? Let us know in the comments below!
