The Star Wars franchise is set for a significant return in 2026 with multiple movies and TV series confirmed for release. Leadership changes at Lucasfilm, including Kathleen Kennedy stepping aside for Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan, signal a new era for the property. Fans can anticipate theatrical films and Disney+ content amid ongoing developments and some projects on hold.
The Star Wars franchise enters a transitional phase following Kathleen Kennedy's departure as Lucasfilm president after over a decade, with Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan now leading the studio. No new Star Wars movie has reached theaters since "The Rise of Skywalker" in 2019, but 2026 marks the return with confirmed projects across film and television.
Confirmed releases include the animated series "Star Wars: Maul — Shadow Lord," set for April 6, 2026, which follows Darth Maul after "The Clone Wars" and explores his history in the Empire's rise, voiced by Sam Witwer. "Star Wars: Visions Presents — The Ninth Jedi," arriving in 2026, expands on anthology stories with anime-style animation under supervising director Kenji Kamiyama, focusing on Lah Kara outside main canon.
Theatrical highlights feature Jon Favreau's "The Mandalorian and Grogu" on May 22, 2026, continuing Din Djarin and Grogu's adventures with new characters played by Jeremy Allen White and Sigourney Weaver. "Ahsoka" season 2, directed by Dave Filoni, picks up after its 2023 debut, featuring Rosario Dawson as Ahsoka Tano, Lars Mikkelsen as Grand Admiral Thrawn, and Rory McCann as Baylan Skoll, with Admiral Ackbar joining the narrative.
Further out, "Star Wars: Starfighter," directed by Shawn Levy and starring Ryan Gosling, is scheduled for May 28, 2027, as a standalone story in an unexplored timeline without legacy characters. Other projects remain in development, such as Filoni's Mandalorian crossover movie, Daisy Ridley's Rey-focused film directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, and Simon Kinberg's new trilogy. Several initiatives, including James Mangold's "Dawn of the Jedi" and Taika Waititi's film, are on hold, while others like "The Acolyte" season 2 and Rian Johnson's trilogy have been canceled.
These updates reflect Lucasfilm's evolving strategy, with potential shifts under new leadership.
