In an exciting twist for Star Wars fans, Lucasfilm is revisiting George Lucas’ long-abandoned plans for a live-action television series, originally titled Star Wars: Underworld, nearly 20 years after its announcement. Initially revealed in 2005, the show aimed to offer a gritty, street-level perspective of the Star Wars universe during the Dark Times, especially focusing on the Empire’s oppression in the lower levels of Coruscant.
The ambitious nature of Underworld was one of the key reasons it was ultimately shelved. Each episode was projected to cost around $40 million, a staggering figure, especially considering that even the acclaimed The Mandalorian has an estimated episode budget of $15 million today. After years of speculation regarding what could have been, Lucasfilm has recently hinted at a return to this concept, although the forthcoming series promises to diverge significantly from its predecessor.
Star Wars’ New Series: Tales of the Underworld
Exploring the Dark Underbelly: Criminals and Bounty Hunters
The unveiling of a new trailer on social media platforms hints at an upcoming series in the anthology format, titled Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld. The trailer highlights the adventures of two fan-favorite characters from The Clone Wars: Cad Bane and Asajj Ventress. Both are recognized figures in the galaxy’s underbelly, with Ventress seen wandering the lower echelons of Coruscant. This suggests that the new series will indeed explore the same murky depths that the original Underworld was meant to highlight, making it a much-anticipated return to the “scum and villainy” ethos of the franchise.
Contrasts with Lucas’ Original Vision
Animation, Familiar Faces, and a New Tone
While Tales of the Underworld delves deeply into the darker aspects of the Star Wars narrative, it deviates significantly from Lucas’ initial concepts for Underworld. Notably, the new series is animated, contrasting Lucas’ vision of a live-action format. Additionally, Cad Bane’s storyline appears to unfold well before Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, with segments taking place on the planet Duro, whereas the original series was tightly bound to Coruscant during the Empire’s rule.
Asajj Ventress’ arc matches Lucas’ thematic elements but also introduces new dimensions. The original Underworld was expected to feature iconic characters such as Darth Vader and Lando Calrissian, while Tales of the Underworld shifts its focus predominantly toward characters from animated series. Interestingly, Ventress, who typically embodies a morally ambiguous role, is portrayed in the trailer as a protector of a child, signaling a potential narrative shift toward themes of good versus evil, contrasting with the grittier tone of Underworld.
Prospects for the Original Star Wars: Underworld
Lost in Time: The Fate of Star Wars: Underworld
As a fan excited for Tales of the Underworld, I can’t help but wonder about the prospects of witnessing George Lucas’s authentic vision for Star Wars: Underworld. There are reports that 60 episodes were penned before the project was shelved, and with technological advancements, a live-action series could now be feasible and potentially more financially viable than it was back in the late 2000s. However, the odds of it materializing seem slim at this point.
The introduction of Tales of the Underworld makes the likelihood of resurrecting Underworld in its original format less convincing. Elements from the initial concept have already found their way into contemporary Star Wars narratives. For example, both The Mandalorian and Obi-Wan Kenobi explore Coruscant’s lower levels, while Andor presents a more grounded, mature take on street-level characters. Thus, the new series may diminish any remaining space for an old-fashioned portrayal of Underworld, which wouldn’t possess the same groundbreaking impact in 2025 as it might have had in 2005.
Furthermore, Disney has generally opted not to pursue Lucas’ unfinished projects. When the studio acquired Lucasfilm, several scripts for a sequel trilogy, crafted by Lucas himself, were abandoned in favor of the Rey Skywalker arc. With rumors suggesting that Lucasfilm is transitioning back to theatrical releases rather than television series, the chances for Star Wars: Underworld to reclaim its place in the spotlight appear minimal. Despite this, there remains a glimmer of hope that Lucas’ original vision could someday be realized, though it seems unlikely to occur in the near future of the franchise.