Disney Abandons George Lucas’ ‘Star Wars’ After ‘Mando’ Disaster, Launching New Timeline in 2027

Disney’s Star Wars era has evolved into a sprawling network of films, TV series, and spin-offs that continues to expand across many different parts of the franchise’s timeline.

But despite introducing several new characters, settings, and storylines, much of the modern output has remained closely connected to George Lucas’ original two trilogies.

That connection has now entered a new phase with The Mandalorian & Grogu (2026), the first Star Wars film to reach theaters since The Rise of Skywalker (2019).

As a continuation of the Disney+ series, the film represents a major attempt to bridge streaming success with theatrical storytelling. However, its reception has been more mixed than expected.

Related: Disney’s ‘Mandalorian’ Gamble Backfires as Box Office Falls off a Cliff

The film’s commercial performance has also raised broader questions about Lucasfilm’s direction for its Disney+ era. While The Mandalorian (2019), The Book of Boba Fett (2021), and Ahsoka (2023) helped define the post-original trilogy timeline, they have also leaned heavily on legacy characters and established lore from earlier Star Wars eras.

That pattern is consistent across much of Disney Star Wars. The sequel trilogy brought back Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher), and Han Solo (Harrison Ford), while projects like Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022), which is essentially a follow-up to Revenge of the Sith (2005), continued to revisit familiar territory rather than move away from it.

What’s Next for Star Wars in Film?

Looking ahead, Shawn Levy’s Star Wars: Starfighter (2027), which stars Ryan Gosling in the lead role, signals a different approach.

Set after the sequel trilogy, it’s being positioned as a standalone story in a previously unexplored period of the timeline, suggesting Lucasfilm may be preparing to move beyond its reliance on familiar eras.

Whether that marks a genuine shift in direction or simply another evolution of the same interconnected universe remains to be seen.

The film releases on May 28, 2027.

Do you think Disney is right to move beyond the Skywalker Saga and explore a new part of the Star Wars timeline, or should the franchise continue building on familiar characters and stories? Let us know in the comments below!