Lucasfilm Looks To Establish A Marvel Format For Star Wars Projects

Lucasfilm has Star Wars whose future lies in television. Obi-Wan Kenobi, which will finally premiere next week after years of anticipation, is on the horizon.

By Akshay Sharma
May 21,2022
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Lucasfilm has Star Wars whose future lies in television. Obi-Wan Kenobi, which will finally premiere next week after years of anticipation, is on the horizon. Later this year, the first season of the spy thriller Andor will premiere, followed by the return of old pals in The Mandalorian Season 3. In 2023, Ahsoka will continue the MandoVerse’s events, and Leslye Headland’s The Acolyte is expected to be part of the mix as well.

The public’s perception of Star Wars on the big screen is less certain. Patty Jenkins’ Rogue Squadron, which was intended for a December 2023 release, has been delayed again in a galaxy far, far away. Instead, Taika Waititi’s untitled picture appears to be the next Star Wars feature to hit theaters, but no precise release date has been set. Another project that will play a significant role in the franchise’s future is Michael Waldron’s script for the Kevin Feige-produced Star Wars feature.

Lucasfilm Focusing On Star Wars And Not Newer Projects
Lucasfilm Focusing On Star Wars And Not Newer Projects

But how well defined is that future segment? The beginning of Lucasfilm‘s period under Disney was notorious for its lack of planning, a choice that proved costly for the company when the second trilogy was widely panned. Fans will be relieved to find that there is a plan for the future, and that they will learn more about it sooner than expected. The obvious issue is whether Lucasfilm will be influenced by its Marvel Cinematic Universe competitors, which the company’s CEO recently addressed.

Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy outlined the concept for Star Wars’ theatrical future in an interview with Vanity Fair, describing it as “a road map:”

“We’ve got a plan. Taika’s narrative, I believe, falls under this category more explicitly. For the time being, Rogue Squadron has been placed to the side. Patty is still working on the script. Then we’ll talk about how that relates to our current central spine project.”

“I’m hopeful that a couple more [filmmakers] with whom we’ve been in contact for quite some time would come in and make the same overall commitment that Jon and Dave have. In the feature space, that’s exactly what I’d like to see.”

According to Kennedy, everyone they’re interested in is required to make a “three, four, or five-year commitment” to the franchise:

“That’s what I’m getting at: Anyone entering the Star Wars universe should be aware that it’s a three, four, or five-year commitment. That is all that is required. You can’t just stroll in , shoot something for a year and then leave. That is simply not the case. As a result, it necessitates that level of care.”

Kathleen Kennedy looks to have learned a lot of things from the sequel trilogy disaster. Many Star Wars fans are still angry about the lack of a three-film plan, and Lucasfilm is well aware of the problem. To address this, Kennedy is searching for filmmakers who are prepared to follow in the footsteps of Jon Favreau, delving deep into the Star Wars universe and remaining engrossed in the process until a movie like The Mandolorian is fully fleshed out.

kathleen kennedy

The news that Taika Waititi’s film will follow the script more closely is intriguing. Kennedy has spoken about the necessity for the brand to branch out from the Skywalker saga’s eras, and Waititi’s plot seems like a good place to start. Perhaps the rumors of a Star Wars: The Old Republic film are true, and Waititi’s film will be linked in some way. It’s a safe assumption that in the coming years, Disney+ series will have linkages to what’s next on the big screen.

With that in mind, there are even more uncertainties about Rogue Squadron’s future. It appears that the picture was approved before the present Star Wars road map was developed, and that after delays due to creative challenges, Lucasfilm had second thoughts.

It’s possible that the picture will be canned if it doesn’t fit the company’s artistic goals. However, such a project might potentially be included into something like the MandoVerse in the future.

Lucasfilm is currently looking for creators who are willing to go on an adventure with them. The Netflix agreement that David Benioff and D.B. Weiss signed was a major reason for their dismissal, and Rian Johnson appears to be on the same path. While the director of The Last Jedi’s trilogy is currently “on hold,” the lack of commitment leads one to believe Kennedy’s remarks are diplomatic.

With any luck, Lucasfilm has since found directors willing to go all-in on Star Wars, and fans may get to meet them at Celebration next week.