After The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026) came up short at the global box office, Disney may be taking a more cautious approach to the future of Star Wars. While the franchise still has several major projects in the pipeline, one notable detail has begun to stand out. Beyond 2027, Disney and Lucasfilm have remained unusually quiet about what’s coming next. That silence has sparked plenty of discussion about whether the studio is waiting before making its next big move.
The Mandalorian and Grogu Didn’t Reach Expectations
When Lucasfilm announced that Din Djarin and Grogu would make the jump from Disney+ to theaters, expectations were understandably high. The Mandalorian became one of Disney+’s biggest success stories and helped launch the streaming service with a massive audience. Many assumed that popularity would translate into a strong theatrical run.
Instead, the film delivered a much more modest performance than many expected.
Produced on a reported budget of about $165 million, The Mandalorian and Grogu finished its worldwide box office run with approximately $345 million. While that total allowed the movie to recover its reported production costs before marketing and distribution expenses, Disney later acknowledged that the film fell short of expectations compared to previous live-action Star Wars movies.
The result also left the movie as the franchise’s lowest-grossing live-action theatrical release. Although Disney has continued expressing confidence in Star Wars, the performance naturally raises questions about how aggressively the company wants to expand the series on the big screen over the next several years.
The Current Roadmap for 2027
Despite the uncertainty surrounding projects beyond that point,Lucasfilm still has several high-profile releases scheduled or expected through 2027.
- May 28, 2027 —Star Wars: Starfighter: Directed by Shawn Levy and starring Ryan Gosling, Amy Adams, and Matt Smith, this standalone theatrical adventure is set to become the franchise’s next major movie release.
- Expected December 2027 — Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s untitled Rey film: This film will bring Daisy Ridley back as Rey as she begins rebuilding the Jedi Order. An official release date has not been confirmed, but it is widely expected to arrive around December 2027.
- 2027 —AhsokaSeason 2: The Disney+ series is expected to premiere during the franchise’s anniversary celebration, continuing the battle against Grand Admiral Thrawn during the New Republic era.
- Expected 2027 —Maul: Shadow LordSeason 2: The animated series is expected to continue exploring Darth Maul’s criminal empire while expanding the franchise’s darker Force mythology.
Why the Silence After 2027 Stands Out
Once those projects arrive, however, the calendar becomes surprisingly empty.
That’s unusual for a franchise as large as Star Wars. Disney and Lucasfilm have often announced movies years in advance, giving fans a clear idea of where the saga is headed. This time, though, nothing has officially been placed on the release schedule beyond 2027.
That doesn’t necessarily mean development has stopped. Lucasfilm has repeatedly confirmed that multiple films remain in various stages of production. Still, the lack of release dates or firm announcements has become increasingly noticeable.
One possible explanation is that Disney wants to see how Star Wars: Starfighter performs before locking in additional theatrical commitments. After The Mandalorian and Grogu underperformed, the company may prefer to assess audience demand before finalizing a 2028 and beyond release calendar.
If Starfighter becomes a major hit, it could give Disney confidence to accelerate future projects. If not, Lucasfilm could continue focusing on a more selective theatrical strategy while leaning on Disney+ series to keep the franchise active.
For now, that’s only speculation, but the timing has certainly fueled discussion among fans.
Projects That Could Shape the Future
Even without official release dates, several major Star Wars projects continue moving through development and could eventually fill the post-2027 slate.
- Dave Filoni’s New Republic film: Designed as a crossover event, the movie would unite storylines from Disney+ series, including The Mandalorian and Ahsoka, into one theatrical adventure.
- Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s untitled Rey film: While many industry reports anticipate a release at the end of 2027, it’s also possible this project may shift to 2028.
- Simon Kinberg’s reported trilogy: Lucasfilm is reportedly developing a new three-film Star Wars storyline, though specific plot details and its connection to existing characters remain unclear.
- Knights of the Old Republic Remake: Saber Interactive’s long-awaited remake remains in development, with a company executive recently pointing to 2028 as a possible target while stopping short of announcing an official release date.
Looking Beyond 2027
Disney certainly isn’t finished with Star Wars, but its long-term theatrical roadmap is less defined than it has been in years. With Star Wars: Starfighter, Rey’s return, and several Disney+ series still on the way, fans won’t be short on new content through 2027.
The bigger question is what comes after that.
Whether Disney is intentionally slowing its rollout or simply waiting for the right time to reveal its next slate remains unknown. For now, the company’s focus appears firmly fixed on delivering its 2027 projects before opening the curtain on whatever comes next for a galaxy far, far away.
