Another day, another galaxy-sized update in the ever-evolving world of Star Wars.
Lucasfilm seems to be juggling everything and nothing at the same time. It’s been nearly five years since the galaxy far, far away graced the big screen, and fans will have waited almost seven years by the time the next movie debuts. Following the polarizing sequel trilogy, the studio has taken a cautious approach to theatrical releases, shifting its focus to Disney+, where shows like The Mandalorian have thrived since their 2019 debut.
Now, after three successful seasons, Mando and Grogu are preparing to make their big-screen debut in Dave Filoni and Jon Favreau’s highly anticipated The Mandalorian and Grogu. This feature will likely serve as a replacement for the seemingly scrapped The Mandalorian Season 4 and continues to expand the New Republic era, which has been central to the franchise’s streaming strategy with The Book of Boba Fett, Ahsoka, and the upcoming Skeleton Crew.
Set to premiere on May 22, 2026, The Mandalorian and Grogu was originally expected to be followed by another Star Wars movie that December. However, Disney recently replaced that slot—believed to be reserved for Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s Rey-centric film—with Ice Age 6 under the 20th Century banner. This leaves Mando and Grogu as the only officially confirmed feature for Lucasfilm’s future slate.
Adding to the uncertainty, reports from industry insider Daniel Richtman (via Comic Book Movie) reveal that Taika Waititi’s untitled Star Wars movie—the one he teasingly claimed would “piss people off”—has been shelved. Meanwhile, Patty Jenkins’ long-delayed Star Wars: Rogue Squadron is back in development.
Jenkins, best known for her work on Wonder Woman, recently shed light on her rollercoaster journey with Lucasfilm. In March 2024, she told Collider:
“So, when I left Star Wars to do Wonder Woman 3, I thought maybe I’d come back to Star Wars after Wonder Woman 3. So we did a deal for that to happen… but I thought I was doing Wonder Woman.”
When Wonder Woman 3 fell through, Jenkins reconnected with Lucasfilm:
“When that went away, Lucasfilm and I were like, oh, we gotta finish this deal. We finished the deal right as the [WGA/SAG-AFTRA] strike was happening. So I now owe a draft of Star Wars and we’ll see what happens there. You know, like, who knows?”
Jenkins acknowledged the uphill battle Lucasfilm faces with its movie lineup:
“It’s hard. They have a tough job ahead deciding what the first movie is going to be. They have other directors who’ve been working, but I’m now back on doing Rogue Squadron. We’ll see what happens. We need to develop it to a place where we’re both super happy with it.”
First announced in December 2020, Rogue Squadron promised a fresh take on the Star Wars saga, focusing on a new generation of starfighter pilots in a high-octane adventure. Initially removed from Disney’s release calendar in late 2021, the project’s future now looks brighter as it returns to active development.
Beyond Rogue Squadron, Lucasfilm’s film slate remains ambitious. Daisy Ridley is set to reprise her role as Rey Skywalker in a film exploring the establishment of a new Jedi Order. Dave Filoni will direct a feature tying together the New Republic era’s stories, while James Mangold will explore the origins of the Force in a colloquially called “Dawn of the Jedi” film.
Taika Waititi, celebrated for his work on Thor: Ragnarok and Thor: Love and Thunder, had been quietly developing his Star Wars movie for years. In late 2023, he told The Kelly Clarkson Show: “I’ve been developing [the Star Wars film] for a few years, but I think with any film, especially that one, it’s something I really want to get right, so I don’t want to rush it.”
Sadly, it seems the project has now been shelved.
Adding to the intrigue, Simon Kinberg is reportedly working on a new Star Wars trilogy. This ambitious project could step outside the Skywalker Saga and potentially serve as the next Episodes X through XII, casting doubt on whether Obaid-Chinoy’s Rey-focused movie will retain its place as the next chapter in the saga.
As Lucasfilm continues to expand the Star Wars universe, fans are left to navigate the balance between beloved legacy characters and bold new narratives. Only time will tell what this galaxy far, far away has in store.
How do you feel about Taika Waititi’s Star Wars movie being shelved? Are you excited about Rogue Squadron returning to development? Let us know in the comments below!
