Disney continues to adjust the direction of the Star Wars franchise after a series of projects that failed to get off the ground. One of the most recent cases is the cancellation of “The Acolyte”a series that debuted on Disney+ but failed to justify its high cost compared to the performance obtained. In an interview with Vulture, Alan Bergman, co-president of Disney Entertainment, explained: “The Acolyte did not reach the level we needed considering the cost structure of the series. That’s why we decided not to continue with a second season.”
The series starring Amandla Stenberg faced a strong reaction online: the focus on a narrative led by women and its “queer undertones” unleashed fierce criticism for excessive wokism and generated a complicated climate for the project that failed to connect even with the audience. general nor with fans of the saga.
In contrast to recent stumbles, Disney now appears to be focusing its efforts on formulas that have worked in the past. “Andor”critically acclaimed, will have a second season that, according to Bergman, is “fantastic.” Likewise, it was confirmed that “Ahsoka.” It will also have a sequel led by Dave Filoni, a key figure in the success of the Star Wars series on Disney+. In addition, the new series “Skeleton Crew,” starring Jude Law, has shown signs of growth since its premiere in December 2024, earning positive reviews and renewing the company’s hope in the expansion of the galactic universe.
The heroines
Although the Star Wars series and films with female protagonists have not had the same reception as those starring men (with the exception of “Rogue One”perhaps the film most celebrated by critics after the original saga), Disney trusts that the Force will accompany a new film focused on Rey, the Jedi who took over from the Skywalkers after the events of “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” (2019). However, the project, which seeks continue Rey’s story and his attempt to found a new Jedi Academy, faces important changes in its development.
Steven Knight, screenwriter known for series such as “Peaky Blinders”, has left the project: he had been announced in March 2023 as a replacement for the original screenwriters Damon Lindelof and Justin Britt-Gibsonbut now Lucasfilm is looking for a new writer to take the reins of the story. This change means production could be delayed until 2025 or longer.
Despite these setbacks, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy remains committed as the director of the film. Winner of two Oscars for documentary short films, Obaid-Chinoy made her debut on Disney+ directing episodes of “Ms. “Marvel.” And about the Star Wars project, she commented: “What interests me most is Rey’s journey as a female Jedi. That’s where I can contribute my own experiences.” And the Star Wars film landscape includes several projects in development.
In May 2026 it will arrive “The Mandalorian and Grogu”directed by Jon Favreau, while Disney has two more premieres scheduled for December 2026 and 2027, whose titles have not been confirmed. At the Star Wars Celebration event, Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy announced other productions, including films directed by James Mangold (Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny) and Dave Filoni, head of the animated Star Wars sagas. 2025 will be key for the return of “Ahsoka” with its second season, which, together with the new Rey movie, reinforces Lucasfilm’s commitment to female protagonists in the Star Wars universe.
The boys
“Star Wars” also returned to its roots with “Skeleton Crew”, a series that decided to conquer children’s audiences through a space pirate adventure. The production took up the spirit of the franchise as an intergalactic fairy tale, but this time focused on children. With a nostalgic approach and nods to classics like “The Goonies”, the series stands out especially for the presence of Jude Lawwho plays a mysterious character reminiscent of his portrayal of Captain Hook in “Peter Pan & Wendy.”
The story follows Wim (Ravi Cabot-Conyers), a boy who lives on At Attin, a utopian but strictly isolated planet, where spaceships are prohibited from entering or leaving. Wim, along with his friend Neel, Fern and KB, accidentally ends up aboard a ship that takes them far from home and straight to a dangerous space pirate haven. There they encounter Jod Na Nawood (Jude Law), a supposed Jedi hiding his past: Law, like his Hook in “Peter Pan,” delivers a charismatic and ambiguous performance, oscillating between mentorship and deception.
“Skeleton Crew” stands out not only for its light tone and children’s adventure aesthetic, but also for offering a new spin on the Star Wars universe that is reminiscent of the ’80s spinoffs with the Ewok bears (“Caravan for Courage” and “The Battle for Endor”). This element, little explored in the saga, adds freshness and dynamism to the narrative. The series avoids the usual galactic crises and instead focuses on small victories and the discovery of new worlds. Directed by talents including Jon Watts (“Spider-Man: Homecoming”) and David Lowery (“The Green Knight”), “Skeleton Crew” It becomes a proposal that not only connects with the youngest, but also with those who grew up dreaming of space adventures.
The beginnings
Director James Mangold, known for his work on major franchises such as “Logan” and “Indiana Jones and the Doomsday Dial,” has taken on a new challenge in the Star Wars universe: directing a film that will explore the origin of the Jedi, set 25,000 years before the events of “The Phantom Menace.” In a recent interview with MovieWeb, Mangold explained that this decision seeks to free him from the weight of the saga’s extensive mythology and avoid the often divisive expectations of fans.
“This film will take place long before any other known Star Wars installment,” Mangold said. “I have always been intrigued by exploring this terrain, since I was a teenager. “I’m not interested in being tied to so much canon that it becomes almost unmanageable and you end up pleasing no one.” The project will focus on the origins of the Force: how it was discovered, understood and used, with an epic approach that Mangold compares to biblical films such as “The Ten Commandments.” The director made it clear that he does not want to fall into the saturation of references or elements designed exclusively to please fans. For him, these resources “become antithetical to the narrative, becoming more like advertising than authentic storytelling.”
Although Lucasfilm has not offered further details about the film or announced a release date, Mangold’s proposal represents a unique opportunity for the franchise. By going back thousands of years in chronology, the story is freed from the interconnected universe that characterizes recent films. According to the director, the focus will be exclusively emotional, avoiding references to other installments or “Easter eggs” that disconnect the viewer from the main plot.
Mangold, who is considered an Oscar candidate this year for his Bob Dylan biopic, “A Complete Unknown,” is a critic of massive cinematic universes. In previous interviews with Rolling Stone and Variety, he noted that these franchises tend to prioritize connection between films over storytelling and that “is the enemy of good stories.” Mangold’s film promises to explore new horizons within the Star Wars galaxy, offering a fresh perspective free from limitations. The future of this universe. l
by RN
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