The future of Star Wars may look very different than fans expected just a few months ago.
Following Kathleen Kennedy's exit as Lucasfilm president, the studio has entered a new era under Dave Filoni and co-president Lynwen Brennan. While plenty of attention has focused on what the new leadership could create, another question deserves just as much attention:
What happens to the movies that were already announced?
According to a recent report from The Direct, five Disney-era Star Wars films now appear especially vulnerable as Lucasfilm reviews its theatrical plans. None have been canceled, but each carries significant uncertainty after years of slow development, changing priorities, or creative setbacks.
Considering Lucasfilm's history of announcing films that never reach production, the concern isn't difficult to understand.
MandoVerse Crossover
Dave Filoni's crossover movie once looked like the logical conclusion to Lucasfilm's Disney+ storytelling strategy.
Instead, the project now finds itself in an unusual position.
Filoni's promotion gives him the authority to move the movie forward, but it also leaves him responsible for running Lucasfilm while continuing work on several television productions. Combined with the modest box office performance of The Mandalorian & Grogu, the project no longer feels like the guaranteed theatrical event it once appeared to be.
James Mangold's Ancient Jedi Epic
Few announced Star Wars films sounded more ambitious than James Mangold's story about the very first Jedi.
Lucasfilm presented the movie as an entirely fresh beginning for the franchise, exploring an era thousands of years before anything fans have previously seen.
Despite that promise, development has stalled. Without a cast or production schedule, the project now depends on whether Lucasfilm's new leadership believes it deserves a place in the studio's future lineup.
Rey Returns…Maybe
Lucasfilm hoped Daisy Ridley's return would launch a new chapter after Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019).
Instead, the project has become known for writer changes and shifting timelines.
The Direct notes that reports have suggested the movie was shelved rather than canceled. That's an important distinction, but it also means Filoni and Brennan will likely determine whether Rey's next story ever reaches theaters.
Rogue Squadron
Patty Jenkins has spent years trying to get Rogue Squadron back on track.
Although she remains attached to the project, Lucasfilm has yet to provide meaningful updates regarding production or release plans. Meanwhile, the studio already has another pilot-focused theatrical movie on its schedule.
That overlap could make Rogue Squadron one of the easier projects to postpone indefinitely.
Taika Waititi's Mystery Movie
Taika Waititi's Star Wars project has become almost legendary for its lengthy development.
Announced back in 2020, it still lacks many of the basic elements fans expect from an upcoming blockbuster, including a title and release date.
With Kennedy gone, the project effectively begins another round of evaluation under executives who may have very different priorities than the ones who originally approved it.
A Fresh Direction Usually Means Difficult Choices
Disney doesn't change leadership at one of its biggest studios without expecting meaningful results.
Lucasfilm's new executives inherit a franchise with tremendous potential but also a lengthy list of announced movies that have struggled to gain momentum. As they determine where Star Wars goes next, some projects will almost certainly receive greater attention than others.
That doesn't mean these five movies are finished.
It does mean they now face more scrutiny than ever before.
Whether Lucasfilm ultimately moves forward with all of them—or decides to quietly leave some behind—could shape the future of Star Wars for years to come.
