What is happening with every Star Wars project? All the films and TV coming up
There's been tons of news from across the galaxy - but what exactly is happening?
It's never exactly a quiet time for Star Wars fans, with news from across the galaxy coming our way.
Just recently, as Star Wars Celebration 2023 hit London, three new films were confirmed, with the sensational news that Daisy Ridley will reprise her role as Rey, to become a Jedi Master rebuilding the Jedi Order.
But, of course, the new movies, directed by James Mangold, Dave Filoni, and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, aren't the only projects to have been announced in the last few years.
In fact, it's become a little difficult to keep up with what's happening and when, what's been put on hold, and what has officially faded away into the ether.
Never fear! That's what we're here for. Here's the state of play for every announced Star Wars project.
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What's happening with every upcoming Star Wars film?
Let's start with the films, as that's where most of the confusion lies. There are, supposedly, seven different projects in development. However, it's likely that not all of them will see the light of day.
We've got all the details below but, in short, this is everything that has been officially announced:
- Untitled James Mangold film
- Untitled Dave Filoni film
- Untitled Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy film
- Untitled Rian Johnson trilogy
- Untitled Taika Waititi film
- Untitled Shawn Levy film
- A Droid Story
So, read all about them below...
Untitled James Mangold film - happening
Release date: TBC
As one of the most recent announcements, James Mangold's film is still in its very early stages. We know that the film will be focused on the beginnings of the Jedi Order, and centre on the origins of the Force.
It's going to be the furthest back we've ever gone in the Star Wars timeline - but don't worry, it's not going to be "pre-tech".
According to The Wrap, Mangold has nicknamed the film Star Wars: Zero, and it will feature all new characters in an all-new era.
Untitled Dave Filoni film - happening
Release date: TBC
It was only a matter of time until Filoni, the man behind many of our animated faves, would get a big budget film to play with and it was announced at Star Wars Celebration 2023 that it's finally happening.
Filoni's film will bring together various characters from established sources in a team-up style event.
It's set to close out the events from the "Mando-verse", i.e. everything that happens in The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, and Ahsoka.
Untitled Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy film - happening
Release date: TBC
Obaid-Chinoy's film will be the one to bring Daisy Ridley's Rey back into the fold as the Jedi Master rebuilding the Jedi Order and will take place following the Sequel Trilogy.
She wrote on Instagram: "I’ve spent my life meeting real life heroes, who have overcome the most oppressive empires and battled impossible odds and that to me is the heart of Star Wars...which is why I was attracted to the promise of a new Jedi Order …And why I’m particularly excited about being immersed inside a Jedi Academy with a powerful Jedi Master."
Untitled Rian Johnson trilogy - not happening right now
Release date: TBC
It's been almost six years since Rian Johnson's trilogy was announced off the back of The Last Jedi - and nothing's really happened.
It hasn't exactly been scrapped - in fact, at Star Wars Celebration, LucasFilm President Kathleen Kennedy insisted she and Johnson were "talking all the time".
However, she also added to Variety: “He is unbelievably busy. So we’re not actively involved in anything at the moment because he’s doing another one of the Glass Onion movies and then God knows what else.
"But he really wants to step back into the space. It’s a big commitment of time, so that’s really on him.”
Untitled Taika Waititi film - happening "one day"
Release date: TBC
In 2020, Taika Waititi was announced as the director of an upcoming Star Wars film, which he's set to co-write with Krysty Wilson-Cairns.
Speaking with Variety recently, Kennedy confirmed that Waititi is working on it and it will happen "one day" - but, despite a 2023 release date previously seeming on the cards, it certainly doesn't sound like it's coming any time soon.
The plot of the movie is still unknown, but Waititi previously said: “I would like to take something new and create some new characters and just expand the world, otherwise it feels like it’s a very small story."
Untitled Shawn Levy film - not happening for a good while
Release date: TBC
Shawn Levy was first reported to be directing a Star Wars movie in late 2022 after his work on Deadpool 3 and the last season of Stranger Things.
In recent interviews, Levy still seems enthused about the prospect, and confident that it's happening, but it's safe to say it won't be here for a good while. Levy said he doesn't want to "squander" the opportunity, and described the project as "currently in development and not yet close to prep."
A Droid Story - not happening any time soon
Release date: TBC
The animated film A Droid Story was announced in 2020 - but we've had very few updates since.
It's set to focus on a "new hero" mentored by R2-D2 and C-3PO. However, there were no updates at Star Wars Celebration so it definitely sounds like it's on the back burner for now.
Knights of the Old Republic - probably not happening
Release date: N/A
A film/trilogy based on Knights of the Old Republic was never actually confirmed, but has been heavily rumoured for a good while.
However, considering the amount of film projects that have been announced - and the focus of Mangold's upcoming movie, as well as Leslye Headland's The Acolyte, it's not looking likely.
What's happening with every upcoming Star Wars series?
Looking towards TV, there's a lot more clarity about what's happening and when. Looking for the short version? Here's everything to look forward to, with all the details below:
- Star Wars Visions season 2
- Young Jedi Adventures
- Ahsoka
- Skeleton Crew
- Andor season 2
- The Acolyte
- The Bad Batch season 3
- The Mandalorian season 4
- Lando
Star Wars: Visions season 2 - out now
Release date: 4th May 2023
Star Wars: Visions season 2 has officially been released, and is available to watch on Disney Plus.
The new instalment sees nine new episodes expanding the Jedi galaxy outside of the constraints of the traditional Star Wars canon.
Young Jedi Adventures - out now
Release date: 4th May 2023
Young Jedi Adventures is a new animated series created for Disney Plus, a group of younglings as they learn to become Jedi Knights during the High Republic era.
It's available to watch now!
Ahsoka - coming next
Release date: August 2023
Ahsoka is the next Star Wars project set for release. Tying in with The Mandalorian season 3, and seeing Rosario Dawson reprise her role, the series will expand Ahsoka's story, with plenty of Rebels characters expected to make their live-action debut.
Lars Mikkelsen was recently confirmed to be reprising his role as Grand Admiral Thrawn, while Eman Esfandi will be playing fan-favourite Ezra Bridger.
Skeleton Crew - coming soon
Release date: Sometime in 2023
Starring Jude Law and Kerry Condon alongside a talented young cast, Skeleton Crew will see a group of youngsters growing up in the short-lived days of the New Republic.
Law previously told Variety of joining the Star Wars world: "It was such an important part of growing up, the impact of that film and that world. The way it penetrated and exploded my imagination.
"There are one or two more times every day where I'm walking on set and it hits me like a child. I get awestruck by certain characters that are around me, that I can't say."
Production wrapped in January 2023.
Andor season 2 - in production
Release date: August 2024 (predicted by showrunner Tony Gilroy)
Arguably the most highly anticipated series coming our way, Andor season 2 is currently expected to land next year.
The new instalment will see Cassian Andor as a fully fledged member of the resistance, leading up to the events of Rogue One.
Speaking about release details at Star Wars Celebration, Gilroy explained: “We started shooting in November. We're about halfway. We're gonna shoot through August. We're on exact schedule. [We'll] finish in August, spend another year on post. I suppose we'll come out the following August.”
The Acolyte - in production
Release date: Sometime in 2024
Leslye Headland's upcoming series The Acolyte will focus on the end of the High Republic era before the events of the main Star Wars films.
Fans were also thrilled to find out that Joonas Suotamo, who played Chewbacca starting from the sequel trilogy films, will return to the franchise as a Wookiee Jedi Master.
The eight-episode series also stars the likes of Amandla Stenberg, Manny Jacinto, and Carrie-Ann Moss.
While fans at Star Wars Celebration got a sneak peek, the series is still in production, with filming scheduled to wrap soon.
The Bad Batch season 3 - announced
Release date: TBC
Thankfully, there's more to come from The Bad Batch after that shock ending (we still haven't recovered).
It was recently announced that season 3 will be the last for the animated series - so it's bittersweet news for fans.
The Mandalorian season 4 - written
Release date: TBC
Jon Favreau has made no secret of the fact that The Mandalorian season 4 has already been written - and had been before season 3 even aired.
There aren't many details about where the story will go next but it's safe to assume it will tie in with Ahsoka.
Lando - tentatively happening
Release date: TBC
Despite a distinct lack of updates on the Lando Calrissian solo series, Kennedy confirmed at Star Wars Celebration that it's still happening. Donald Glover is expected to reprise his role as a young Calrissian but nothing has been confirmed.
Kennedy told IGN: "I can just tell you it's still happening, and he's very excited about it."
Check out more of our Sci-Fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on.
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