Latest Updates on Every Star Wars Movie and TV Show in Development

The year 2026 marks a monumental turning point for the Star Wars saga. While 2025 offered significant milestones with the climactic finale of Andor, the debut of Skeleton Crew, and a third volume of the acclaimed Star Wars: Visions, the franchise’s theatrical presence has remained relatively quiet. Following the polarizing reception of 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker and the underwhelming performance of Solo: A Star Wars Story, Lucasfilm pivoted primarily to small-screen storytelling. This era birthed cultural phenomena like The Mandalorian, alongside series like Obi-Wan Kenobi, The Acolyte, and Ahsoka, complemented by animated ventures such as The Bad Batch.

Now, a cinematic renaissance is on the horizon. Over the next two years, the franchise will reclaim the silver screen with The Mandalorian and Grogu and Shawn Levy’s mysterious Star Wars: Starfighter. Television audiences won’t be left behind, however, as the animated Darth Maul epic, Maul: Shadow Lord, and the continuation of The Ninth Jedi are also slated for 2026 premieres.

In recent cycles, Disney and Lucasfilm have frequently recalibrated their roadmap for the galaxy far, far away. While many projects remain in active development, several high-profile ventures have been indefinitely shelved or abandoned. Notable casualties include Rian Johnson’s proposed trilogy and Kevin Feige’s standalone film. Others, like Donald Glover’s Lando, have faced significant delays. Perhaps the most intriguing lost project was The Hunt for Ben Solo, a film whose existence only came to light via an unintentional reveal by Adam Driver.

To help you navigate this sprawling multimedia timeline, we have curated a comprehensive guide to upcoming Star Wars releases. Below, you will find details on release dates, platforms, and plot synopses. If you need to refresh your memory before the next chapter begins, check out our guide on the definitive chronological viewing order.

2026

The Mandalorian and Grogu

Release date: May 22, 2026, in movie theaters

It has been a significant interval since we last encountered Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his young apprentice, Grogu. When their journey concluded on Disney Plus, they had found a semblance of peace on Nevarro. Now, they are transitioning from the small screen to a major cinematic event.

Spearheaded by director Jon Favreau and produced alongside Kathleen Kennedy and Dave Filoni, The Mandalorian and Grogu finds the titular pair assisting the New Republic in purging the Outer Rim of Imperial remnants. Their mission introduces them to fresh allies and adversaries, including Colonel Ward (Sigourney Weaver), and brings fan-favorite Rebels character Zeb Orrelios (voiced by Steve Blum) into the live-action fold.

Interestingly, Favreau has clarified that this film effectively replaces the planned fourth season of the television series. While scripts for Season 4 were in development, the creative team opted to elevate the duo’s next adventure to a theatrical scale—a move that fundamentally alters the future of the flagship show.

Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord

Release date: 2026 (TBA), on Disney Plus

While a precise debut date for Maul: Shadow Lord remains elusive, Disney has confirmed its inclusion in the 2026 lineup. Given that a prequel comic series from Marvel is scheduled for March, it is reasonable to anticipate the show’s arrival in the latter half of the year.

This animated series explores the former Sith Lord’s efforts to establish a criminal empire on a world secluded from Imperial eyes. Set during the unexplored years between the events of The Clone Wars and his eventual fate in Rebels, the show features the return of Sam Witwer, whose voice performance has become synonymous with the character.

Star Wars: Visions Presents – The Ninth Jedi

Release date: 2026 (TBA), on Disney Plus

Though they exist outside the primary canon, several standout stories from the Star Wars: Visions anthology have inspired expanded media. While some received manga and novel adaptations, Production I.G’s beloved The Ninth Jedi is slated for a full animated spinoff. Disney’s internal scheduling suggests a 2026 debut for this stylistic expansion of the Star Wars mythos.

2027

Star Wars: 50th Anniversary Special Engagement

Release date: February 19, 2027, in movie theaters

In a historic move, Lucasfilm is offering fans a chance to experience the 1977 masterpiece, A New Hope, exactly as it appeared half a century ago. For a limited theatrical engagement, the studio will screen the original theatrical cut. This means an absence of the digital modifications introduced in subsequent decades—no CGI Jabba the Hutt, no digital Dewbacks, and Han Solo shooting decisively first. It is a rare opportunity to see the film that ignited the phenomenon in its purest form.

Star Wars: Starfighter

Release date: May 28, 2027, in movie theaters

Shawn Levy, the creative force behind Deadpool & Wolverine, is venturing into the post-sequel trilogy era. This project boasts an impressive ensemble cast, led by Ryan Gosling and Matt Smith, the latter of whom is confirmed to play the film’s antagonist. The cast is rounded out by Mia Goth, Amy Adams, Aaron Pierre, and several others.

With Top Gun: Maverick cinematographer Claudio Miranda on board, the film promises to deliver a new standard for high-octane aerial combat in the Star Wars universe. Levy has expressed profound reverence for the project, noting that collaborating with Lucasfilm to shape an original chapter in this storied galaxy is a career-defining honor.

Undated Projects

Ahsoka Season 2

Dave Filoni, now Chief Creative Officer at Lucasfilm, is currently refining the second season of Ahsoka. While many expected the season to dovetail directly into the Mandalorian and Grogu film, the lack of a firm release date suggests a shifting strategy. The new season will reportedly feature parallel narratives: one tracking Ahsoka (Rosario Dawson) and Sabine (Natasha Liu Bordizzo) on Peridea, and another following Admiral Thrawn’s (Lars Mikkelsen) tactical offensive against the New Republic. Notably, Rory McCann will step into the role of Baylan Skoll following the passing of Ray Stevenson.

The New Jedi Order (Untitled Rey Skywalker Film)

Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy is set to direct a film chronicling Rey Skywalker’s attempt to reconstruct the Jedi Order 15 years after the fall of the Sith. The project has undergone several creative overhauls, with screenwriters like Damon Lindelof and Steven Knight exiting the production. Most recently, George Nolfi was brought on to pen the script. Despite its reconfirmation at Star Wars Celebration 2025, the project’s status remains clouded following Kathleen Kennedy’s departure from her leadership role at Lucasfilm.

Untitled Dave Filoni Film

Envisioned as a climactic event for the New Republic era, Dave Filoni’s upcoming film aims to synthesize the various threads woven through The Mandalorian, Ahsoka, and The Book of Boba Fett. Positioned between the original and sequel trilogies, this project is expected to clarify the rise of the First Order and the lingering shadow of Emperor Palpatine.

Dawn of the Jedi (Untitled James Mangold Film)

James Mangold is set to explore the prehistoric roots of the Force in a film taking place 25,000 years before the Skywalker Saga. Mangold has described the project as a “Biblical epic” akin to The Ten Commandments, focusing on the very first sentient beings to discover and harness the Force. While still in development, the project has reportedly been prioritized less in recent months.

Untitled Simon Kinberg Trilogy

Simon Kinberg, a veteran of Star Wars: Rebels, is currently architecting a brand-new trilogy. Reports vary on whether these films will constitute Episodes X, XI, and XII or represent a clean break from the Skywalker lineage. Regardless of its numerical designation, Kennedy has described it as a vital pillar for the franchise’s long-term future. Kinberg has cited the gritty, sophisticated storytelling of Andor as a primary influence for his creative vision.

Untitled Taika Waititi Film

Announced in 2020, Taika Waititi’s entry remains the most enigmatic project on the slate. Waititi has stated he refuses to rush the creative process, and internal updates have been scarce. At Star Wars Celebration 2025, officials confirmed it is “still alive,” albeit in the early stages of evolution.

A Droid Story

First teased in 2020, this animated feature for Disney Plus centers on a new hero mentored by the legendary R2-D2 and C-3PO. While it hasn’t been officially scrapped like Rangers of the New Republic, its progress has been remarkably slow, leaving its ultimate fate uncertain.

Lando

Originally conceived as a limited series for Donald Glover, Lando has since been reconfigured as a feature film. The production saw the departure of Justin Simien, with Donald and Stephen Glover taking over writing duties. Kennedy has confirmed that a completed script exists, but a production start date has yet to be finalized.

 

Source: Polygon