What’s Next for the Star Wars Film Franchise?
While the Skywalker saga has concluded, the Star Wars cinematic universe is set to expand with several new films on the horizon. Lucasfilm officially unveiled a slate of upcoming projects during the Star Wars Celebration 2023, indicating a resurgence of Star Wars in theaters. Although development faced delays due to the writers’ and actors’ strikes, recent confirmations from Lucasfilm assure fans that these projects remain active.
Upcoming Release Dates
At this time, Lucasfilm has earmarked two significant release dates for future films:
- May 22, 2026
- May 28, 2027
The first date is designated for The Mandalorian & Grogu, while the second is for Shawn Levy’s Star Wars: Starfighter. Below, we explore the details of these exciting new entries in the Star Wars saga.
The Mandalorian & Grogu
Big Screen Adventure for Din Djarin and Grogu
Custom Image by Corey Larson
| Release Date | May 22, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Writer | Jon Favreau |
| Director | Jon Favreau |
| Known Cast | Pedro Pascal (Din Djarin), Steve Blum (Garazeb “Zeb”Orrelios), Sigourney Weaver |
The Mandalorian & Grogu is expected to kick off this new era of films, possibly adapted from scripts initially intended for The Mandalorian season 4. Filming for this project has reportedly concluded, confirming its May 22, 2026 release date.
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Star Wars: Starfighter
Ryan Gosling Enters the Star Wars Universe
| Release Date | May 28, 2027 |
|---|---|
| Writer | Jonathan Tropper |
| Director | Shawn Levy |
| Known Cast | Ryan Gosling |
Star Wars: Starfighter is planned as a standalone film, set five years after Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, and it will feature Ryan Gosling in the lead role as a pilot. Production is slated to commence later this year, giving fans hope for further casting announcements soon.
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Rey Skywalker’s New Jedi Order Movie
Daisy Ridley’s Return to Star Wars
| Writer | George Nofli |
|---|---|
| Director | Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy |
| Known Cast | Daisy Ridley (Rey) |
Among the significant announcements made during Star Wars Celebration 2023 was the highly anticipated return of Daisy Ridley as Rey. In this upcoming film, set 15 years after The Rise of Skywalker, Rey will establish the New Jedi Order, creating a new chapter in the franchise. The film will introduce fresh aspects of the Star Wars timeline.
James Mangold’s Dawn of the Jedi Movie
Exploring the Origins of the Force
| Writers | James Mangold and Beau Willimon |
|---|---|
| Director | James Mangold |
This forthcoming movie will take place more than 25,000 years before the events of the Skywalker saga, presenting a unique origin story for the Force and its influence. Written and directed by James Mangold, it promises to delve deep into the lore of the Jedi and their powers, with filming expected to commence in 2025.
Dave Filoni’s The Mandalorian Movie
The Next Chapter in The Mandalorian Saga
Dave Filoni, recently appointed Chief Creative Officer at Lucasfilm, is set to direct a film that will expand upon The Mandalorian universe. This feature is expected to center around Grand Admiral Thrawn as the principal antagonist, adding depth to the ongoing narrative of the New Republic and its struggle against emerging threats.
Lando
Lando, originally planned as a Disney+ series, is transitioning into a feature film. Donald Glover will reprise his role as Lando Calrissian, collaborating with his brother Stephen Glover on the screenplay.
Potential Future Projects: Rian Johnson and Taika Waititi
Rian Johnson remains committed to developing a new trilogy beyond the Skywalker saga, though details are sparse. Lucasfilm has reiterated their interest in collaborating further with Johnson, even as he balances other projects.
On another note, Taika Waititi is set to direct a Star Wars film, showcasing his unique storytelling style. The project aims to recapture the wonder and excitement that fans expect from the franchise.
Canceled Star Wars Movies
Over the years, Lucasfilm has experienced numerous false starts with various projects. Plans for anthology films, including a standalone Boba Fett movie directed by Josh Trank, were scrapped in favor of television series adaptations. Similarly, recent cancellations of projects like Patty Jenkins’ Rogue Squadron illustrate the shifting priorities at Lucasfilm.