In early 2026, Lucasfilm’s long‑time president Kathleen Kennedy stepped down, handing the helm to veteran creator Dave Filoni, who now serves as President and Chief Creative Officer, and Lynwen Brennan, who takes on the role of Co‑President. The change comes as the franchise faces a critical juncture, with fans and critics alike wondering whether the new leadership can reinvigorate the Star Wars brand after a period of mixed reception.
One of the most visible projects in the pipeline is Star Wars: Starfighter, directed by Shawn Levy, known for Deadpool and Wolverine. The film stars Ryan Gosling and is set roughly five years after the events of The Rise of Skywalker, placing it further down the timeline than any previous movie or series. Levy has been developing the story with writer Jonathan Tropper since 2022, and the film is intended as a standalone adventure, separate from the Skywalker saga.
On the television front, Ahsoka has wrapped production on its second season, which will return in January. The animated series, set in the post‑Clone Wars era, follows former Darth Maul as he rebuilds his criminal empire during the Empire’s reign, with Sam Witwer returning as Maul. Meanwhile, Dave Filoni is moving from the small screen to the big screen with a new film set after Return of the Jedi, designed to tie together The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, and Ahsoka.
In 2024, X‑Men producer Simon Kinberg was announced as the writer and producer of a brand‑new trilogy of Star Wars films. Early reports suggested the trilogy could either continue the Skywalker saga or launch a fresh narrative. By January 2026, Kennedy noted that Kinberg’s treatment was “very good, but not there,” and a full screenplay was expected by March. Subsequent reports named Jon Watts as the director of the first film, now slated as Episode X, and Sharmeen Obaid‑Chinoy as the director of a Rey‑focused sequel set after The Rise of Skywalker, with Daisy Ridley returning as Rey. The sequel will explore Rey’s efforts to rebuild the Jedi Order and is expected to bring back other actors from the Sequel Trilogy.
James Mangold was slated to direct a film about the first Jedi Knights, set 25,000 years before the main saga, but the project is now on the back burner. A live‑action Lando Calrissian series, originally announced in 2020 and later shifted to a film format, remains “somewhat alive” according to Kennedy, though no concrete plans have emerged.
Taika Waititi’s proposed Star Wars film, which had been discussed as a potential live‑action entry, was officially placed on ice in October 2026. While the project’s details were sparse, Waititi confirmed that the film would not proceed and that he was collaborating on a different venture instead.
Overall, Lucasfilm’s slate includes a mix of confirmed and tentative projects, ranging from cinematic releases to animated series. The departure of Kennedy marks a turning point for the franchise, and the upcoming releases will shape its future direction.
