James Mangold’s Star Wars Film Could Begin Shooting Next Year

For the time in recent memory, the future of the Star Wars universe is unclear.

After finding success on Disney+ with series such as The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, and Ahsoka, Lucasfilm is turning its attention back to the big screen. Instead of announcing a new Skywalker trilogy, however, Kathleen Kennedy and her team plan on releasing numerous films that span different eras in galactic history.

Photo: LucasFilm

As Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy handles the story of an older Rey Skywalker, and Dave Filoni and Jon Favreau continue the Mandalorian’s story in theaters, James Mangold is set to take viewers back to the beginning.

‘Dawn of the Jedi’

Set 25,000 years before the events of The Phantom Menace, James Mangold’s Dawn of the Jedi will explore the origin of the Force and the beginning of the Jedi Order.

“When I first started talking to Kathy [Kennedy] about doing one of these pictures, what occurred to me was thinking about what kind of genre of movie within Star Wars I wanted to do,” Mangold explained.

“And I thought about a biblical epic, like a Ten Commandments, about the dawning of the Force. Where did the Force come from, when did we discover it, when did we learn how to use it?”

The Film Could Begin Filming Next Year

The biggest question surrounding the future of Star Wars is not what stories will be told but in what order the films will be released.

We know that The Mandalorian & Grogu is up first, with its May 22, 2026 release date. But, what comes after that?

Mandalorian

The prevailing notion had been that Daisy Ridley’s Rey Skywalker film would be next. The actress has previously indicated that production could begin early next year.

However, insider Daniel Richtman (via World of Reel) is reporting that Dawn of the Jedi could begin filming next year.

‘Star Wars’ Has Its Hands Full

Between The Mandalorian & Grogu, Dawn of the Jedi, Obaid-Chinoy’s Rey Skywalker movie, and Dave Filoni’s Heir to the Empire film, Star Wars seemingly has its hands full.

Photo: Lucasfilm

Additionally, there is Donald Glover’s Lando film and a theoretical Shawn Levy Star Wars film on the way.

Photo: Lucasfilm

Over the last five years, however, Star Wars films have been teased and announced, only to never see the light of day. Based on the latest reports, it does not seem as if that fate will befall Mangold’s film. For that, Star Wars fans should be thankful.