In a time when more Star Wars projects are announced than ever before, fans are finding it harder to track the franchise’s big-screen trajectory. While enthusiasm for the galaxy far, far away hasn’t faded, Lucasfilm’s ever-evolving roadmap has stirred up plenty of uncertainty as creative leads shift and storylines continue to rearrange themselves.
April 2023’s Star Wars Celebration Europe promised a bold new cinematic era, as Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy introduced three new films under the direction of James Mangold, Dave Filoni, and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy. They joined previously announced directors Shawn Levy and Taika Waititi, while Patty Jenkins’ Rogue Squadron—once thought to be shelved—was later added back into the mix.
Each project aims to carve its own space. Mangold’s film reaches into Star Wars’ ancient past, exploring the earliest foundations of the Force. Filoni’s entry will seemingly act as a culmination of the interconnected Disney+ universe, tying together threads from The Mandalorian, Ahsoka, The Book of Boba Fett, and Skeleton Crew.
The Mando-Verse was once set to include the Gina Carano-starring Rangers of the New Republic, which was later removed from development following the firing of the Cara Dune actress. Recently, Disney and Lucasfilm settled the lawsuit Carano had launched against the Mouse House, with her return to the franchise now more likely than ever.
But by early 2024, plans had already shifted. Jon Favreau was confirmed to direct The Mandalorian and Grogu, targeting a 2026 release. The film will bring two of the franchise’s most beloved characters to theaters and conclude their story on Disney+, effectively closing out The Mandalorian without a fourth season in development.
This pivot sparked speculation about how the broader slate would realign. Obaid-Chinoy’s Rey-centric film—taking place years after The Rise of Skywalker and featuring Daisy Ridley as the Jedi Order’s rebuilder—was initially rumored to be next. Titles like New Jedi Order and A New Beginning were floated, but none were confirmed.
Then came a November 7, 2024, surprise: Simon Kinberg, director of X-Men: Dark Phoenix and producer of The Martian, was tapped to write and produce a new Star Wars trilogy.
“The new story is not meant to be a continuation of the Skywalker Saga, the name of the overall arc of the popular and pop culture-dominating Star Wars movies known as Episodes 1 through 9,” The Hollywood Reporter wrote in their announcement.
“The intent here is to have brand new characters and a new story, and not have it be a continuation, sources tell [THR]. (Although that does not mean that some characters could not or would not pop up.)”
Fans immediately questioned whether Kinberg’s project might overlap with the Rey-led film. Though Kennedy has stated the trilogy will stand apart from the Skywalker storyline, tension between the two visions remains.
“But Rey, the scavenger-turned-Jedi played by Daisy Ridley in the last three episode movies, is key to the franchise’s next turn,” THR reported. “That potentially puts Kinberg’s trilogy story development, as early in its conceptual stages as it may be, on a collision course with the Rey standalone movie that is actively in the works with director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy.”
One insider told THR, “[Rey] is the most valuable cinematic asset, in some ways maybe the only one, Star Wars has right now.” Writer George Nolfi had been attached to the Rey film—until new reports signaled another delay.
“According to scooper Daniel Richtman, ‘The Rey movie is on hold once again, as both the Shawn Levy and James Mangold Star Wars films are moving forward first. The project is not canceled — just temporarily on hold,'” SFF Gazette reported.
Still, the New Jedi Order era appears to be Lucasfilm’s new focal point. In another scoop shared by Richtman (via Cosmic Marvel), more about the plan came to light:
Lucasfilm’s plans for the ‘Star Wars: New Jedi Order’ era have reportedly been revealed:
• It will be similar to the Mandoverse.
• It will begin with Daisy Ridley’s upcoming film.
• It will gradually build toward a major event that brings together characters introduced in past films.
Elsewhere, Levy’s film—officially unveiled during Star Wars Celebration 2025 in Tokyo—is set to follow The Mandalorian and Grogu. Titled Star Wars: Starfighter, it’s targeting a 2027 release with Ryan Gosling, Mia Goth, and Matt Smith in starring roles. The film is set around five years after The Rise of Skywalker.
Mangold’s film, meanwhile, has gained priority status. Though Lucasfilm once explored similar territory with D.B. Weiss and David Benioff for a trilogy that never came to be, their ideas seem to live on through Mangold’s concept. He and his team have acknowledged the thematic overlap in recent interviews.
As plans continue to change, fans are finding ways to shape the future themselves. One YouTube creator, Darth Trailer, shared a conceptual teaser for a new chapter, imagining Rey’s return in Star Wars: Episode X–The New Jedi Order.
Whether Lucasfilm can align its visions remains to be seen, but the next phase of Star Wars filmmaking will likely define the franchise’s direction for years to come.
What are your thoughts on where the franchise is heading? Share your take with us in the comments.
