Lucasfilm’s New Star Wars Movie Strategy Revealed by Insider Report

by

According to reports, the new leadership at Lucasfilm is considering a potentially concerning plan for the future of Star Wars films. By the time The Mandalorian & Grogu arrives in theaters this May, it will have been nearly seven years since the last Star Wars movie, The Rise of Skywalker – a similar gap to the time between 2005’s Revenge of the Sith and Disney’s purchase of Lucasfilm in 2015. The studio seems determined to bring the Star Wars universe back to the big screen more frequently, with Starfighter, directed by Shawn Levy, already scheduled for release in May 2027.

Several filmmakers, including James Mangold, Dave Filoni, Taika Waititi, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, and Simon Kinberg, are developing new movies within the franchise, and we’ve recently received updates on their progress. These updates came from Kathleen Kennedy, the outgoing president of Lucasfilm. Kennedy, who was brought in to guide the studio after Disney acquired it in 2012, is stepping down. Her role will now be shared by Dave Filoni, creator of The Clone Wars, and Lynwen Brennan, a long-time Lucasfilm executive.

Recent reports in The Hollywood Reporter suggest a potential shift in how Lucasfilm makes Star Wars movies. With Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan now leading the studio after replacing Kathleen Kennedy, there’s concern that a major change could limit the artistic freedom of directors.

Kennedy has a history of initiating projects by first collaborating with a filmmaker and learning about their vision. This approach resulted in films like the 2027 release, Star Wars: Starfighter, a unique story within the Star Wars universe, and is also how she connected with Deadpool & Wolverine director Shawn Levy.

Last year, Kennedy told Variety she was eager to let more filmmakers create stories they’re passionate about, without being limited by the existing Star Wars universe and its long history.

We’re now able to explore a wider range of stories and work with more filmmakers who are passionate about their projects, even if those projects aren’t directly tied to existing ‘Star Wars’ lore.

Unlike Kennedy, who focuses on production, Filoni is more of a creative visionary. This means he could choose the stories he wants to tell and then work with directors to bring them to life.

The next Star Wars movie, titled The Mandalorian & Grogu, will arrive in theaters on May 22nd. Starring Pedro Pascal, Jeremy Allen White, and Sigourney Weaver, the film continues the story from The Mandalorian series and has temporarily put plans for a fourth season of the Disney+ show on hold.

Star Wars’ New Strategy Has Me Worried About the Future

The Star Wars franchise has faced some challenges lately, particularly with a lack of new movies and mixed reactions to some of the recent Disney+ series. It’s become apparent that fans are really hoping for fresh, original stories, and there’s a lot more excitement building for the upcoming Starfighter project than for another season of The Mandalorian & Grogu.

Dave Filoni has consistently delivered strong work for Star Wars, creating the popular series The Clone Wars and Rebels, and partnering with Jon Favreau to build the interconnected world of The Mandalorian. However, a common criticism of The Mandalorian and Ahsoka is that they heavily depend on characters fans already know, and this trend seems likely to continue.

There’s growing optimism that Lucasfilm is shifting away from complex, interconnected stories. Reports suggest they’ve paused plans for the ‘MandoVerse’ while focusing on the upcoming film, The Mandalorian & Grogu, and Season 2 of Ahsoka.

However, this fix might only be temporary. Reports suggest Lucasfilm is planning a new series of stories, similar to ‘The Mandalorian,’ taking place after The Rise of Skywalker and focusing on Daisy Ridley’s character, Rey. This could all lead to a large-scale crossover event.

If Dave Filoni plans out all future Star Wars movies and shows in advance and then assembles teams to make them, it could stifle fresh ideas. This approach might make Star Wars feel more like the Marvel Cinematic Universe – losing the unique magic that fans love.

The studio has also recently signed on big-name directors like Shawn Levy, Taika Waititi, and James Mangold to create their own unique Star Wars films. It makes you wonder if these talented filmmakers would have been so interested if they were just going to bring someone else’s story to life, like Dave Filoni’s.

Read More

2026-02-02 19:35