Los Angeles, CA – Lucasfilm’s announcement of “The Mandalorian & Grogu” film has unveiled another major addition to the already extensive Star Wars slate. While details about the movie are scarce, it offers insight into the studio’s priorities and the future direction of the Star Wars franchise. Clearly, Lucasfilm is heavily invested in the adventures of the lovable green puppet and his father, along with the creators responsible for bringing them to life. However, it’s equally interesting to consider what other projects have been put on hold or delayed as a result of fast-tracking this particular venture.
Over the past decade, Lucasfilm has shifted its focus from theatrical films to original TV series. From 2015 to 2019, the studio produced five films, including the Skywalker Saga trilogy, “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” and “Solo: A Star Wars Story.” However, the launch of Disney+ in 2019, coupled with the complications caused by the pandemic on the film industry, put a pause on this film frenzy. “The Mandalorian” was one of the earliest original series to premiere on the streaming platform, strategically designed to attract new subscribers. Subsequently, other shows such as “The Book Of Boba Fett,” “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” “Andor,” and “Ahsoka” followed suit. It now seems that Disney+ may no longer have a monopoly on new Star Wars content.
By the time “The Mandalorian & Grogu” makes its premiere, it will have been nearly six years since fans last lined up to watch a Star Wars film in theaters. While the production is slated to commence in 2024, an official release date is yet to be confirmed. Nevertheless, all indications suggest that it will jump ahead of other projects currently under development.
Lucasfilm’s recent statement regarding the new film highlighted the studio’s reliance on two particular creators. Lucasfilm President, Kathleen Kennedy, emphasized the pivotal role that Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni have played in introducing beloved new characters to the Star Wars universe. Favreau, the creator and executive producer of “The Mandalorian,” is set to direct the upcoming film, while Filoni, currently serving as Chief Creative Officer, will serve as executive producer. Given their close collaboration on various Disney+ shows as writers, directors, and producers, it’s expected that the film will maintain the continuity established in these productions. Rumors suggest that Filoni’s feature may unite multiple TV projects, akin to a Marvel-style team-up involving characters like Mando, Grogu, Ahsoka, Boba Fett, and others from the small screen.
This announcement raises questions about the fate of other ongoing Star Wars projects. Last year, three film projects were unveiled at the Star Wars Celebration, none of which included “The Mandalorian & Grogu.” James Mangold is set to direct a film focused on the origins of the Jedi and the Force. Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, director of “Ms. Marvel,” will bring Daisy Ridley back as Rey in a continuation of the Skywalker Saga tentatively titled “Star Wars: The New Jedi Order.” Additionally, Dave Filoni is slated to unite various TV projects in a standalone feature. Curiously, the only officially announced Star Wars film on Disney’s slate prior to this week’s announcement was the one directed by Taika Waititi, although progress on that project remains uncertain. The absence of any mention of Waititi’s film in Lucasfilm’s announcement has left fans wondering if it has been canceled or postponed. Furthermore, an untitled Star Wars film previously scheduled for December 2026 has seemingly been removed from the calendar, leaving room for potential developments in 2025.
Despite these film developments, Disney+ remains a critical component of Lucasfilm’s content strategy. Fans can still anticipate more Star Wars content on the small screen, including a second season of “Ahsoka” and possibly additional seasons of “The Mandalorian” tied to the feature film. The lead-up to Filoni’s film may also incorporate more episodes of “The Book Of Boba Fett” with potential revisions to address the criticisms of its first season. Moreover, there are more episodes of Filoni’s animated series, “The Bad Batch,” on the horizon.
In addition to the film projects, two new Star Wars shows on Disney+ are expected this year, exploring different corners of the Star Wars universe. “Skeleton Crew,” from director Jon Watts and Christopher Ford, is set to star Jude Law as a Jedi. Later in 2024, “The Acolyte,” created by Leslye Headland of “Russian Doll” fame, will make its debut. Both shows embrace the trend of inviting diverse creators to leave their mark on the franchise, similar to the success of “Andor,” which is due for a second season.
As Lucasfilm continues to expand its Star Wars slate, “The Mandalorian & Grogu” film stands as a testament to the studio’s commitment to this beloved universe. Fans eagerly await the return of Star Wars to the big screen while enjoying the abundance of content available on Disney+. As for other projects in development, details and updates remain to be seen.