Full Details about Three New 'Star Wars' Films, Including Rey Palpatine's Sendoff

By Andrew Sanford | Film | April 7, 2023 |

By Andrew Sanford | Film | April 7, 2023 |

Since the first film hit theaters, there has been additional Star Wars “content” to consume. Books, fanzines, cartoons, prequel movies, prequel novels, sequel novels, games, more cartoons (takes a deep breath), video games, and action figures. They once released a novel set between The Empire Strikes Back and Return Of The Jedi. It came complete with a soundtrack, toys, and an N64 game. My point is that there has always been, arguably, too much Star Wars, and that isn’t changing anytime soon!

At today’s Star Wars Celebration Europe in London, Lucasfilm announced three new Star Wars movies on the horizon. They run the gamut, timeline-wise. One takes place in the far (far) past. Another will culminate the goings on in shows like The Mandolrian (and its related shows). There will even be a sort of sequel to 2019’s The Rise Of Skywalker. What are these movies, and who will be making them? Let’s take a look!

JAMES MANGOLD AND THE FIRST JEDI
I have yet to see a James Mangold movie that I didn’t like. Walk The Line introduced me to Johnny Cash (I grew up in Massachusetts, that’s my excuse) in spectacular fashion. His remake of 3:10 To Yuma is one of my favorite westerns. His Wolverine movie was way better than it had any right to be, and Logan is one of the best comic book films.

Mangold will be releasing a new Indiana Jones film this year. That’s already a tall order, as he will be the first director to direct one of those films who isn’t named Spielberg. Lucasfilm is pleased enough with his work that they are giving him his own corner of the Star Wars universe to play with. What that will entail remains a secret for now, but whatever it is, I will be there with robes on.

DAVE FILONI INTO THE FILONIVERSE
Few have had as indelible an impact on Star Wars as Dave Filoni. His contributions, through story and characters, are numerous. A successful run of cartoons parlayed into several live-action shows that have his easter-egg-laden touch. He is responsible for a whole generation’s love of Star Wars, and he’s now taking his skills to the big screen.

Filoni’s film will tackle the fledgling New Republic (seen in The Mandalorian shows) and their battles with the empire. It will be a cinematic event for the Mandalorian universe. As long as it doesn’t turn into an episode of The Mandalorian two-thirds of the way through, I’ll be on board.

SHARMEEN OBAID-CHINOY WILL HELP US FORGET REY PALPATINE
Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. I’m most familiar with her work on the Ms. Marvel television show. That work is all well and good. I’m more excited because of her work outside of genre film and tv. Obaid-Chinoy will bring a new perspective to a franchise that is predominately run by white men. That’s super cool!

I’m also excited to see Rey get a more proper sendoff. I don’t need to get into my problems with Rise Of Skywalker here, but to put it bluntly, the last time I watched the Star Wars films, I stopped after The Last Jedi. Rey deserves an end to her story that doesn’t suddenly (and stupidly) force her past and future together with that of other characters.

There will surely be more Star Wars news as the days go on, but Dustin will be covering all of that (he’s VERY excited). Until then, which of these three movies are you most excited about?