The production situation for Disney's "Star Wars" franchise still appears to be highly volatile. After highly positive critical acclaim for the second season of "Andor," the results for "The Mandalorian and Grogu" have fallen short of expectations, once again confirming an uneven performance, with both strong results and setbacks. Reinvigorating optimism, the latest edition of D23, held last August in Anaheim, California, offered some valuable updates on the projects set in the "galaxy far, far away" currently in development at the Burbank-based giant.
In addition to the second season of "Ahsoka," coming to Disney+ next January—where we'll witness Admiral Thrawn's dangerous advance as the Rebel armies fight to preserve the balance of power in the New Republic—further news has been provided about "Star Wars: Starfighter." The film, starring Ryan Gosling and directed by Shawn Levy, known for the irreverent "Deadpool & Wolverine," is expected in theaters on May 28, 2027, coinciding with the fiftieth anniversary of the release of "A New Hope," the groundbreaking first installment in the saga.
In this unprecedented sci-fi experience, Gosling will play Cade Oron, a scoundrel from the fringes of the galaxy who must contend with the fastest spacecraft ever built. Taking place in a previously unexplored time frame within the narrative, the title will boast an excellent cast that includes Amy Adams, Matt Smith, Mia Goth, and Aaron Pierre.
Now fully back in the franchise, Hayden Christensen, the iconic Darth Vader in George Lucas's second trilogy, will also appear in new "Star Wars" projects. Also at D23, the actor appeared before the Honda Center audience to specifically confirm his return in "Ahsoka," teasing more about Anakin Skywalker's evolution as a Force Ghost. He stated: "This season, Anakin pushes Ahsoka to face the most important question of her life: are you a Jedi or not?"
After winning back a significant fan base, many are hoping for Christensen's involvement in a possible live-action "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" series, where his character would play a prominent role. He stated in a previous interview: "I know my friend Ewan (McGregor) would be up for it, too. It's a really interesting time in Star Wars, and I think there are some amazing stories we could tell. So who knows, maybe one day." And, regarding his character specifically, he added: "I love this character. I'd love the opportunity to continue to delve into Anakin's story and, hopefully, Darth Vader's. I think there are still so many stories to tell."
Rumors of a possible film centered entirely on Darth Vader have been circulating more frequently in recent days, and growing insistence among insiders has apparently prompted Christensen himself to weigh in on the matter. In an interview with E! News, the actor, after initially reacting with a smile, soon stated, "It's just a rumor." When pressed by the interviewer, however, he acknowledged that he would be very happy to return to the "Star Wars" universe, should the opportunity arise.
Meanwhile, new behind-the-scenes information about George Lucas and some of his unrealized "Star Wars" projects has come out of nowhere. Discussing the matter in an interview with Norah O'Donnell for CBS Sunday Morning, the franchise creator stated that he had decided to retire from filmmaking to focus on creating the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, thus abandoning development of a new film trilogy. He stated: "When I made this decision, I decided to retire from filmmaking, and it was a big decision because I still had three Star Wars films to make. But I realized I was running out of time, and I really wanted to make this museum."
Having reached an age where he could only choose one thing for the years to come, Lucas created a museum based in Los Angeles that occupies approximately 300,000 square feet and houses approximately 1,200 works from his private collection. The various exhibits include paintings, photographs, and sculptures, but above all, original costumes, vehicles, and props that helped make "Star Wars," for future generations, not just a cinematic icon but also a cultural phenomenon.
Giovanni Scanu
