[2023] HOT NEWS – When is the next star wars movie coming out?

“When is the next star wars movie coming out?” is the popular question being asked now. Here is a comprehensive list of the upcoming Star Wars movies currently in development, including Rey’s New Jedi Order, the Dawn of the Jedi, and an exciting Mandalorian-era film!

The Skywalker saga has concluded, but the Star Wars franchise is far from over. Following the box office disappointment of Solo: A Star Wars Story and the mixed response to the sequel trilogy, there was a hiatus in Star Wars movie releases. However, Lucasfilm is now ready to make a comeback after a reshuffling of their schedule.

At Star Wars Celebration 2023, Lucasfilm officially announced a slate of films that indicate a positive shift in direction. With a clearer plan in place, the Star Wars universe is set to return to theaters, exploring various timelines in the galaxy far, far away. In June 2023, Disney underwent a major restructuring of its franchises, including the announcement of release dates for new Star Wars films. Lucasfilm has confirmed three release dates: May 22, 2026, December 18, 2026, and December 17, 2027. Although it’s unclear which film will premiere on each date, here are the upcoming Lucasfilm theatrical projects for the next decade.

1. Rey Skywalker’s New Jedi Order Movie

One of the significant announcements at Star Wars Celebration 2023 focused on the return of Daisy Ridley’s Rey to the Star Wars universe. Rey, the central Jedi of the sequel trilogy era, will now take on the role of the founder of the New Jedi Order in a film set 15 years after Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and written by Steven Knight, this untitled movie will introduce a new chapter in the Star Wars timeline.

The release date for Rey’s new Jedi Order movie is yet to be confirmed. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Lucasfilm intends for Rey’s Jedi Order movie to be released first as it is the most advanced in terms of production. As a result, May 22, 2026, is speculated to be the potential release date for Rey’s Jedi Order movie, marking a return to summer releases for Star Wars since Solo: A Star Wars Story. Lucasfilm has unofficially referred to this era as the “New Jedi Order,” a title given by Star Wars fans.

2. Dave Filoni’s The Mandalorian Movie

Another major announcement at SWCE 2023 is a film project directed by Dave Filoni, set in The Mandalorian era. This untitled Mandalorian-era movie is expected to explore the return of Grand Admiral Thrawn, a brilliant Imperial strategist who becomes the heir to the Empire. The film will focus on the climactic battle between Thrawn and the New Republic, involving the beloved characters from Filoni and Favreau’s Mandalorian series. Initially, Lucasfilm planned for the film’s release in 2026, possibly on December 18, 2026, seven months after Rey’s Jedi Order movie.

With Filoni directing The Mandalorian movie, it is highly likely that Jon Favreau will be involved, potentially as a co-writer given his contributions to the TV shows leading up to this film. While no official cast members have been announced, it is expected that Pedro Pascal, Rosario Dawson, Temeura Morrison, and Lars Mikkelsen will reprise their respective roles. Other supporting characters such as Fennec Shand (Ming-Na Wen), Bo-Katan Kryze (Katee Sackhoff), and Greef Karga (Carl Weathers) are also expected to make appearances, alongside new characters in the upcoming Skeleton Crew.

3. James Mangold’s Dawn of the Jedi Movie

The final film announced at Star Wars Celebration 2023 will be set more than 25,000 years before the Skywalker Saga. Directed by James Mangold, this film will explore the “Dawn of the Jedi,” an era never seen before in Star Wars. Although the project is currently referred to as the “Dawn of the Jedi,” the official title is yet to be confirmed. Mangold’s previous work on Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny forged a strong relationship with Lucasfilm, leading to his direct involvement in this project.

“Dawn of the Jedi” will delve into the origins of the Jedi Order and their initial connection to the Force. Mangold described the movie as a “biblical epic,” similar to The Ten Commandments, suggesting a focus on the philosophical and religious aspects of the Force and the Prime Jedi. Not much is known about this enigmatic character, who was briefly teased in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, hinting at a different philosophy compared to Master Yoda. He represents both light and darkness.

After completing his work on Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Mangold is committed to directing a Bob Dylan biopic titled A Complete Unknown, which begins shooting in August 2023. Consequently, Mangold may start production on his Star Wars film in 2025/2026, targeting the final release date of December 17, 2027. While this is speculative, given the release dates of the other two movies, it appears to be the most likely scenario until Lucasfilm officially assigns each project to its respective date.

4. Rian Johnson’s Star Wars Trilogy

Lucasfilm was impressed by Rian Johnson’s work on Star Wars: The Last Jedi and announced in November 2017 that he would be helming a new Star Wars trilogy independent of the Skywalker saga. However, Johnson’s trilogy is still in the early stages of development, and there isn’t much information available about the story. Due to the divisive reception of The Last Jedi, rumors circulated that Johnson’s Star Wars trilogy had been canceled. However, the writer-director himself debunked those rumors on social media.

Over the years since the trilogy’s announcement, both Johnson and Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy have addressed its status. As recently as Star Wars Celebration 2023, Kennedy was asked about the trilogy’s progress by Variety. She reiterated that Johnson is currently busy with Netflix, working on a third Knives Out film. However, both Lucasfilm and Johnson remain eager to collaborate in the future. This indicates that Johnson’s trilogy is still on the table but might not enter active development until after he fulfills his other commitments.

5. Taika Waititi’s Star Wars Movie

In May 2020, Lucasfilm made an announcement that Taika Waititi, the director of Thor: Ragnarok and Jojo Rabbit, would be directing a future Star Wars film. Waititi would also co-write the project with Oscar nominee Krysty Wilson-Cairns. During Disney’s Investor Day presentation in December 2020, it was confirmed that Waititi and Wilson-Cairns had already started working on the script, and an art concept featuring a diamond-like object in space was showcased. When asked about the progress of Waititi’s film in April 2023, Kathleen Kennedy had this to say:

“Taika is still hard at work. He is writing the script himself and prefers not to involve others in that process, and I understand and respect that. He has a truly unique voice, and we want to protect that. Rest assured, we will make that film one day.”

This indicates that Waititi’s Star Wars film is still in the pre-production phase. However, the release date for Waititi’s project remains uncertain, considering the priority given to the three other major announcements at SWCE 2023. With Kennedy’s vague response regarding the progress of Waititi’s Star Wars film, it wouldn’t be surprising if this project is eventually canceled, especially given the recent changes in Lucasfilm’s Star Wars direction.

6. Canceled Star Wars Movies

Lucasfilm has faced numerous setbacks over the years, leading to the cancellation of several Star Wars anthology films. These projects were initially planned after the release of Solo: A Star Wars Story, but due to various reasons, they were abandoned. For example, a Boba Fett film was originally set to be directed by Josh Trank in 2014, but he departed the project around the time of Fantastic Four’s release. James Mangold, who is now directing the Dawn of the Jedi film, reportedly took over briefly after Trank’s departure. However, development for the Boba Fett film was halted a few months later, and instead, The Book of Boba Fett series was released in 2021.

Similarly, in February 2018, Lucasfilm announced that David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, the showrunners of Game of Thrones, would develop a new Star Wars movie series. However, the duo left the project in October 2019 for undisclosed reasons. Speculation arose that the poorly received final season of Game of Thrones played a part in their departure, and since then, Benioff and Weiss have largely withdrawn from the public eye.

In April 2023, both Patty Jenkins’ Rogue Squadron and a mysterious film by Kevin Feige, the president of Marvel Studios, were put on hold. Jenkins’ Rogue Squadron was announced in 2020, and Feige’s project was announced in 2019. Both films were in the slow pre-production phase. The cancellations seem to be related to Lucasfilm’s recent change in direction.

7. When is the next star wars movie coming out?

Star Wars has an exciting future not only on the big screen but also on the small screen with the release of Disney+. The platform will feature multiple live-action TV series set in the Star Wars universe. These include:

Ahsoka – This show follows Rosario Dawson as the live-action version of the former Jedi, Ahsoka Tano, in a race against time to stop the rise of Grand Admiral Thrawn. The first trailer was released at SWCE 2023, and the show is expected to premiere on Disney+ in August 2023.

Star Wars: Skeleton Crew – Set in the Mandalorian era, Skeleton Crew is an Amblin-inspired space adventure that follows a group of children adrift in space, aided by Jude Law’s mysterious Jedi character. The show is expected to premiere on Disney+ in the latter half of 2023.

The Acolyte – The Acolyte is Star Wars’ first live-action show set in the High Republic era, taking place approximately a century before the events of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. The show is created, written, and showrun by Leslye Headland, co-creator of the series Russian Doll.

Star Wars: The Bad Batch season 3 – The Bad Batch, officially announced at SWCE 2023, will return for a third and final season in 2024. The animated series follows a group of elite clone troopers navigating the aftermath of the Clone Wars.

Andor season 2 – Due to the overwhelming positive reception of Andor, a spin-off series set before the events of Rogue One, the show will return for a second season on Disney+ in 2024. It will bridge the gap between the end of Andor season 1 and the events of Rogue One.

The Mandalorian season 4 – Jon Favreau has confirmed that the script for the fourth season of The Mandalorian has already been completed. Fans can look forward to more adventures in the popular series.

With a diverse lineup of upcoming Star Wars movies and TV shows, fans can expect an exciting and immersive experience in the galaxy far, far away. From exploring new Jedi Orders to witnessing epic battles and discovering untold histories, the future of Star Wars promises to captivate audiences for years to come. Stay tuned for updates on release dates and further developments as the saga continues to evolve.