A galaxy far, far away is about to expand once again—not only on the big screen but also within Disney parks. Since opening in 2019 at both Disneyland Resort in Anaheim and Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge has transported guests to Batuu’s Black Spire Outpost.
The land has become a centerpiece of Disney storytelling, complete with immersive shops, dining experiences such as Oga’s Cantina, and headlining attractions Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.
Beginning May 22, 2026, Smugglers Run will welcome a brand-new mission. This storyline will coincide with the release of Jon Favreau’s The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026), allowing guests to join forces with Din Djarin and Grogu in the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon.
“In this new thrilling storyline, Hondo Ohnaka has gotten wind of a deal going down on Tatooine between ex-Imperial officers and a band of pirates,” Disney Parks Blog revealed. “There’s a generous bounty for their capture, so you’ll borrow the iconic ship and team up with Mando and Grogu to track them down and explore the galaxy.”
The update expands the destinations within the ride to include locations such as Coruscant and Endor, further evolving the attraction since its debut. Riders will still take on the roles of pilots, gunners, or engineers, with their teamwork shaping how each mission unfolds—making every journey a different one.
While 2026 brings an exciting new story to Batuu, even bigger changes lie ahead. At Star Wars Celebration 2025 in Tokyo, Lucasfilm announced Star Wars: Starfighter (2027), a film set to arrive on May 28, 2027, marking the franchise’s official leap into a post-sequel trilogy era. With this new chapter, Galaxy’s Edge may once again shift its narrative focus to align with the next stage of storytelling.
Ryan Gosling leads the cast as the central Starfighter character, joined by Flynn Gray as a younger character under his guidance. Amy Adams is rumored to portray Gray’s mother, while Matt Smith and Mia Goth take on villainous roles. The ensemble also includes Aaron Pierre, Simon Bird, Jamael Westman, and Daniel Ings. If history is any indication, these new heroes and villains could soon appear in Galaxy’s Edge through meet-and-greets and other immersive experiences.
Behind the camera, Shawn Levy (Deadpool & Wolverine) directs from a script by Jonathan Tropper (The Adam Project). The film, produced by Lucasfilm and 21 Laps Entertainment, is set five years after Star Wars: Episode IX–The Rise of Skywalker (2019) and will carve out an entirely new story separate from the Skywalker saga.
Development has been years in the making, with Levy first linked to the project in 2022. Tropper began writing in 2024, and by summer 2025, casting announcements followed. Filming officially begins in the United Kingdom this August, with Claudio Miranda serving as cinematographer.
Though story details remain under wraps, Star Wars: Starfighter is poised to take audiences to uncharted corners of the galaxy, promising a fresh narrative that complements the legacy of the saga. Between Smugglers Run’s 2026 update and the arrival of this new theatrical adventure in 2027, Batuu’s Black Spire Outpost stands at the forefront of a thrilling new era in Star Wars storytelling.
How do you feel about the potential changes made to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge? Let us know in the comments down below!
