Lucasfilm has officially announced a new “Star Wars” feature film set for theatrical release in the near future.
What’s the news:
- Lucasfilm has tapped Taika Waititi — who recently won best adapted screenplay for “Jojo Rabbit” and directed the first season finale episode of “The Mandalorian” — to direct a new “Star Wars” film.
- The announcement comes on May 4 (May the 4th), which is considered “Star Wars Day.”
- Academy Award nominee Krysty Wilson-Cairns (“1917,” “Last Night in Soho”) will help write the screenplay for the project.
- A release date has not been announced.
What will the film be about?
- It’s unclear where the new “Star Wars” film will take place in the timeline. The most recent film, “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” put a cap on the Skywalker Saga, meaning the story of Luke, Leia, Anakin and, apparently, Rey will no longer be a focus.
- Rumors suggested the next “Star Wars” project would focus on the era of The High Republic, which is about 200 years before “Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.” However, “Star Wars” announced a series of comic books and novels that would take place during the High Republic era, which was set to be released later this year.
- Other possible eras for the franchise to explore include thousands of years before the prequel trilogy, which could include the Knights of the Old Republic Era. The franchise could jump forward to generations after Luke Skywalker’s existence as well.
- Rumors surfaced for awhile that there would be solo films about Obi-Wan Kenobi and Boba Fett. But Disney tapped Obi-Wan Kenobi for a spinoff television project for Disney Plus. And Boba Fett’s solo story might have been reworked for “The Mandalorian” show.