It is a bit hard to believe that years have passed since we have seen a story taking place in a galaxy far, far away on the big screen, with much of the enduring, iconic franchise’s newest releases being TV series like “The Mandalorian” and “Andor.” Are you a fan who finds this lack of STAR WARS movies disturbing? If so, we have some good news for you.
At Star Wars Celebration Europe, which was held at the ExCel London Convention Center on Friday, April 7, 2023, it was announced by Kathleen Kennedy that the saga will finally continue on the big screen in the form of three upcoming movies. The plot details for these already highly anticipated films are scarce – such as when you can expect them to be released to AMC Theatres – but we can share with you what we know so far, such as who is helming each project and what familiar faces may appear. Read on for the guide to the upcoming STAR WARS movies that you have been looking for.
Star Wars: Dawn Of The Jedi
One of the most anticipated movies of 2023 is the fifth installment of the adventure series led by Harrison Ford, INDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINY, for which the directorial reigns have been passed down from franchise veteran Steven Spielberg to two-time Academy Award® nominee James Mangold – thus beginning his relationship with Lucasfilm. That partnership will continue with the filmmaker’s first contribution to the company’s more famous franchise.
Mangold has been selected to helm a new STAR WARS movie that – according to ScreenRant – will be subtitled DAWN OF THE JEDI and was described at Star Wars Celebration as a “biblical epic” by the filmmaker. It is a prequel that will trace the origins of the Force and the birth of the Jedi Order. It will also redefine the phrase, “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away,” by taking place 25,000 years earlier than any installment of this saga told on screen yet.
Untitled Dave Filoni Movie
One of the most acclaimed and important creative forces behind the STAR WARS franchise on the small screen is Dave Filoni – the creator of animated TV series like “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” and writer, producer and director of other more recent hits, such as Disney+’s “The Mandalorian.” The first time he brought his talents as a director to the big screen was for the theatrically released, animated STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS movie in 2008, but his next feature will be presented in brilliant live-action.
Fulfilling a wish that many fans have shared for a while, Filoni is directing his own, upcoming STAR WARS movie that – as he revealed to Collider – will involve the New Republic and take place during the events between where 1983’s RETURN OF THE JEDI leaves off and 2015’s THE FORCE AWAKENS begins. The currently untitled film will also tie directly to the interconnected storylines featured in TV shows “The Mandalorian,” “The Book of Boba Fett” and the upcoming “Ahsoka,” which premieres in August 2023.
Untitled Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy Movie
When the saga first continued on the big screen with the release of J.J. Abrams’ STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS, audiences were introduced to a new, strong female protagonist to lead the story in the form of Rey, played by British actor Daisy Ridley. Fans have been curious to see how the story of the heroic Jedi – who now goes by the name Rey Skywalker – may continue at some point and they were given their answer at Star Wars Celebration.
As Kathleen Kennedy described when speaking to IGN after the Lucasfilm showcase, Ridley will reprise her iconic role in a new movie that will take place 15 years after the climactic events of 2019’s STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER. The film will take inspiration from the “New Jedi Order” book series, but as told from the perspective of Rey as she works to find and recruit other potential warriors who are also gifted with a connection to the Force. At the helm of this new sequel is Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, who is a newcomer to the franchise, but not to Disney, having previously directed two episodes of the hit Marvel TV show, “Ms. Marvel.”
As satisfying as the more recent STAR WARS-inspired TV shows have been thus far, it is even more exciting to know that one of the greatest gifts to cinema is returning to the big screen again with the three forthcoming films above. The fact that each new chapter will be a separate story brought to life by the distinct, inventive vision of a different filmmaker convinces us that we can trust our feelings of anticipation. See for yourself how strong with the Force these new movies are when they finally come to an AMC Theatres location near you!