Disney is navigating a complex landscape with its Star Wars franchise, confirming three films in production: one concluding the stories of The Mandalorian and Grogu, another featuring Rey Skywalker establishing a new Jedi Order, and a third exploring the origins of the first Jedi. Additionally, a new trilogy is in the works with Simon Kinberg at the helm. Despite mixed success with various series, Andor stands out, and Season 2 is set for 2025.
Disney’s Shifting Star Wars Landscape
Keeping track of Disney’s ever-evolving decisions regarding the Star Wars franchise can be quite challenging, as various projects appear and disappear without much progress. Initially, there were ambitious plans for a trilogy of films alongside several spin-offs. This vision came to life with Episodes VII, VIII, and IX, as well as standalone films like Rogue One and Solo. Following these endeavors, Disney introduced a range of series, each with its own varying degrees of success, including The Mandalorian, Ahsoka, The Acolyte, and Andor. Amidst these developments, there were discussions about entrusting Rian Johnson with a new trilogy, creating a Rogue Squadron film directed by Patty Jenkins, exploring the origins of the Jedi, and even reviving Daisy Ridley for another film. In short, Disney’s direction appears scattered, making it hard to pinpoint their current focus. Recently, they added yet another trilogy project into the mix.
Introducing a New Star Wars Trilogy
To recap the current situation, Disney has confirmed that three Star Wars films are actively in production. The first is The Mandalorian & Grogu, which aims to wrap up the journeys of these beloved characters along with others from related series, such as Ahsoka and The Book of Boba Fett. Next is a film featuring Rey Skywalker, played by Daisy Ridley, who is set to establish a new Jedi Order 15 years post Episode IX. Lastly, James Mangold (known for Logan) is directing a film that will delve into events occurring thousands of years before the prequel trilogy, focusing on the origins of the first Jedi. While numerous other projects have been mentioned in the past—including those by Rian Johnson, Dave Filoni, Taika Waititi, Shawn Levy, a Lando-centric film, and Patty Jenkins’ Rogue Squadron—they remain largely silent with no substantial updates.
Despite the abundance of projects already underway, Disney has announced a brand-new Star Wars trilogy. This information, first reported by Variety and later confirmed by Deadline, reveals that Simon Kinberg will take the reins as producer and writer. Kinberg is notably recognized for his work on X-Men: Dark Phoenix. What makes this development particularly intriguing is the possibility that this new trilogy could serve as a direct continuation of the recent Disney trilogy, potentially leading to Episodes X, XI, and XII and further extending the Skywalker saga. However, this project is still in the pre-production phase, leaving fans waiting to see if it will add to the lengthy list of films that have yet to materialize.
In a related announcement, Disney recently disclosed that Rey Skywalker might not only appear in her own film but could also play a role in multiple upcoming productions. According to a report from the Hollywood Reporter, Disney views Rey as “the most valuable cinematic tool, if not the only one that Star Wars currently possesses.” This perspective is understandable, given that the other characters from the recent trilogy are comparatively less prominent, and many strong figures from the expanded universe have yet to grace the big screen. However, the success of The Mandalorian & Grogu could influence this narrative. For now, fans can anticipate Rey making appearances across various films, likely including Simon Kinberg’s new trilogy.
While many Star Wars series on Disney+ have struggled to resonate with audiences, Andor has emerged as a standout success. The good news for fans is that Season 2 is slated for release in 2025, and Disney has officially announced its release date, adding to the excitement surrounding the franchise.