A new report has revealed how Disney is feeling about the next wave of Star Wars movies, and it sounds like there’s a little cautious optimism mixed with a bit of anxiety.
According to Variety, the studio sees two very different prospects in its upcoming theatrical slate: one that might lean heavily on diehard fandom, and another that could feel like a fresh start for the galaxy far, far away.
First up is The Mandalorian and Grogu, the big-screen continuation of the Disney+ series shepherded by Jon Favreau. While the show has been a major hit, the jump from streaming to theaters isn’t guaranteed to be smooth hyperspace travel.
The repoprts says the film is “something of a question mark” for Disney, and that it “may not seem like a big-screen proposition for any but the most die-hard Baby Yoda lovers.” That’s a pretty blunt assessment.
The report also points out that the movie’s first trailer didn’t exactly land the way Disney might have hoped. The tone threw some fans off. Thankfully, the second trailer reportedly played much better, so maybe the Force is balancing itself out.
The the film, the New Republic recruits Din Djarin, played by Pedro Pascal, and his tiny green apprentice Grogu following “the fall of the Galactic Empire, during a period where remaining Imperial warlords threaten the galaxy.”
It sounds like classic Star Wars territory!
Still, Disney reportedly has more confidence in a different project entirely with Star Wars: Starfighter from Shawn Levy. The studio apparently believes this one is more “likely to satisfy fans,” which is interesting considering we know far less about it.
What we do know is that Starfighter is a standalone story set about five years after The Rise of Skywalker. It stars Ryan Gosling, with Amy Adams, Matt Smith, Mia Goth, and newcomer Flynn Grey rounding out the cast.
That’s a strong lineup, and the promise of brand-new characters carving out their own corner of the galaxy could be exactly what longtime fans have been asking for.
There’s something appealing about a clean slate. Just a theatrical Star Wars adventure built for the big screen from the ground up. That kind of reset might feel refreshing, even if it doesn’t come with a tiny green co-star.
That’s not to say The Mandalorian and Grogu is doomed. The series built a passionate fanbase, and seeing Din and Grogu’s story continue in theaters is still an exciting prospect. But Disney clearly understands that translating streaming success into box office gold isn’t automatic.
The expectations are different, the stakes are higher, and Star Wars fans are never shy about voicing their opinions.
Right now, it looks like Disney is hedging its bets. One film leans into established love for familiar characters. The other aims to chart a new course in the post-Skywalker era.
We won’t have to wait long to see how this all shakes out. The Mandalorian and Grogu hits theaters on May 22. Star Wars: Starfighter is set to arrive on May 28, 2027.
