What's the Future Direction for Star Wars?
Get your lightsabers ready, 'cause it looks like there's a storm brewing in the Star Wars galaxy! With the sudden halt on the production of The Acolyte, it seems like the future of our favorite galaxy far, far away is up in the air. So let's dive into the latest tumultuous happenings in that galaxy we all know and love.
Return of the Tumult: The Acolyte's Twilight
You might've heard about the big shake-up at Lucasfilm; they've decided to axe The Acolyte, their newest live-action Star Wars series. Now, this ain't just about bidding farewell to one show. This decision paints a rather grim picture for Star Wars' future, as the franchise limps along in the aftermath of The Rise of Skywalker's release in 2019. So what does this mean for Star Wars' upcoming adventures?
The High Republic: A Flicker in the Force
One of Lucasfilm's most ambitious projects recently has been The High Republic, a transmedia initiative that's been excitin' fans for a minute. Despite this project being announced as a three-phase structure, the sudden end of The Acolyte casts a dark shadow over its final phase, which consists primarily of books. It feels like a hard hit for both the audience Star Wars fandom has built up for The High Republic series and the creatives who've been shaping this world.
But fret not, 'cause The Acolyte's story ain't going completely bye-bye. During San Diego Comic-Con, Lucasfilm's publishing panel was almost entirely dedicated to introducing new comics and novels to flesh out The Acolyte's time period and characters. It's pretty possible that future stories could wrap up some of the show's lingering ideas, just in a different medium.
Make Mine Mando... And Only Mando
As it is right now, it seems like unless your project is being personally overseen by Jon Favreau or Lucasfilm's chief creative officer Dave Filoni, it's probably just gonna be chillin' on the back burner for a bit. The so-called "Mandoverse" – stories based on the post-Return of the Jedi period of Star Wars, all stemming from threads in The Mandalorian – is practically the only thing that feels certain in Lucasfilm's slate.
Even though projects like the post-Rise of Skywalker New Jedi Order movie and James Mangold's Dawn of the Jedi were announced at the same time as The Acolyte at last year's Star Wars Celebration, there's been nary a peep about their progress. The one exception? Details on the next Mando adventure, The Mandalorian and Grogu, which has actual footage to prove its existence!
... But Will Anything Else Ever Really Get Made?
After the smoke clears, The Acolyte leaves us with just three definitive series: The Lego Star Wars special Rebuild the Galaxy, Skeleton Crew (starting its chilly journey in December), and the second season of Andor, due in 2025. But once that's over, the TV and theatrical sides of Star Wars remain murky.
Much like since The Rise of Skywalker's release, Lucasfilm has been notorious for announcing projects that eventually get scrapped, put on hold, or left in some form of limbo, emptiness, and never-land – all things that Star Wars fans have grown far too familiar with. With projects like the Lando show, Rogue Squadron, and swarms of others from Shawn Levy, Taika Waititi, and Kevin Feige, it feels like Lucasfilm's abandon train has picked up some serious speed.
The only glimmer of hope? The upcoming Mandalorian feast that is The Mandalorian and Grogu and the juicy details that'll be dispensed at next year's Star Wars Celebration in Japan.
The Kids Ain't Alright: Protect Skeleton Crew's Younglings
One area that Lucasfilm hasn't been so awesome in? Defending their creative talent from the wrath of bad-faith attacks and harassment. Ever since The Last Jedi stirred the pot in the cultural divide, any Star Wars project that's even a teensy bit unconventional or diversified has faced waves of personal attacks.
Although Lucasfilm has made some progress in combatting these attacks – for example, publicly rallying behind Obi-Wan Kenobi actress Moses Ingram – it still leaves talent high and dry in the midst of online abuse. Memories of Kelly Marie Tran, John Boyega, and even more recent instances like Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy's misinformation campaign remain fresh.
Ahead of The Acolyte's release, Kathleen Kennedy made big promises to support the series and its creators, especially lead showrunner Leslye Headland, recognizing the unique challenges faced by women in the Star Wars space. But when The Acolyte and its creatives faced waves of harassment for trivial reasons, Lucasfilm kept mum once again.
This leaves the upcoming live-action series Skeleton Crew in a precarious position. Focusing on a group of children, this adventure series has the potential to stir up old hatred as it strays from traditional Star Wars norms. Regardless of how Skeleton Crew is received, Lucasfilm must step up to shield its young cast from the brutal criticisms they might face in the future.
Lucasfilm: Caught in a Loop of Uncertainty
With tumultuous developments like The Acolyte's untimely exit, Lucasfilm finds itself at a ouija board moment, with a future that either embraces experimental and diverse storytelling or huddles in the comfort of proven franchise favorites. So, buckle up, 'cause the next couple of years are gonna be wild, Star Wars fans!
Tune in for more update about the upcoming Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, the future of the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who. It's gonna be quite the journey!
Enrichment Data:
- The systematic cancellation or abandonment of several Star Wars projects since the release of The Rise of Skywalker[2]
- Kathleen Kennedy's statement recognizing the unique difficulties faced by women in the Star Wars space[4]
- The targeted harassment and abuse faced by Star Wars actors including Kelly Marie Tran, John Boyega, and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy[4][5]
- Upcoming movies and programs in development, including Taika Waititi's Star Wars movie, James Mangold's Dawn of the Jedi movie, and Simon Kinberg's trilogy[1]
- The current status of projects such as the Lando series, Rogue Squadron, and various collaborations with Shawn Levy, Taika Waititi, Kevin Feige, and others[1]
- The recent cancellation of projects like David Benioff & DB Weiss' Star Wars movies and Kevin Feige's Star Wars movie[1]
- The status of Rian Johnson's Star Wars trilogy, which is presumed canceled[1]
- The discontinuation of 'The Acolyte' series, along with the abandonment of many other Star Wars projects, raises notions about the future of Star Wars technology, movies, and storytelling, as the franchise seems to be limping along in the aftermath of 'The Rise of Skywar's release in 2019, much like IO9's speculation.
- With Lucasfilm seeming to focus only on projects overseen by Jon Favreau or Lucasfilm's chief creative officer Dave Filoni, the fate of movies and series like James Mangold's 'Dawn of the Jedi' and Rian Johnson's Star Wars trilogy remains uncertain, adding to the future's uncertainty.
- Regardless of Lucasfilm's intentions, the future of Star Wars movies and series, including upcoming titles like Skeleton Crew and the second season of Andor, may face challenges due to the continuous negative backlash and harassment experienced by Star Wars actors and creators, much like the tumultuous times faced by Kathleen Kennedy-led productions.
- While Lucasfilm continues to experience hardships in avoiding the discontinuation or disruption of projects and artist protection, they must learn from the lessons of the past and avoidlikewise the backlash faced by 'The Acolyte' and work towards maintaining a positive environment for their creators, lest they encounter another storm brewing in the Star Wars galaxy.
