Currently, several directors are officially attached to upcoming Star Wars films, each bringing their unique vision to the expanding galaxy far, far away.
**Shawn Levy** is directing the upcoming Star Wars movie titled *Starfighter*, scheduled for release on May 28, 2027. This film is set in the post-episode IX era, approximately five or six years after *The Rise of Skywalker*. It will introduce mostly new characters, although some from the sequel trilogy might return. The cast includes Ryan Gosling in the lead role, Mia Goth as the villain, Matt Smith as another major antagonist, and supporting actors such as Aaron Pierre, Simon Bird, Jamael Westman, Daniel Ings, and Amy Adams. The movie is currently in production in the UK and aims to explore a new era in the Star Wars timeline distinct from *The Mandalorian* and other Disney+ series[1][3][4].
**Jon Favreau** is involved with *The Mandalorian & Grogu*, a film set to release on May 22, 2026. This movie will bring the popular Disney+ characters Din Djarin and Grogu to the big screen, continuing the story from the series and expanding the live-action Star Wars universe[3].
**Simon Kinberg** and **James Mangold** are also attached to Star Wars projects, though details remain limited. Kinberg is developing a Star Wars trilogy, while Mangold is working on a film titled *Dawn of the Jedi*, which presumably explores the origins of the Jedi Order. Both projects are part of Lucasfilm’s broader strategy to diversify the Star Wars cinematic universe with new stories and timelines[3].
**Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy** is directing a film centered on Rey Skywalker, a character from the sequel trilogy. This project is expected to delve deeper into Rey’s story and legacy, although specific plot details and release dates have not been disclosed[3].
Several notable directors have been linked to Star Wars projects that did not come to fruition. Steven Soderbergh was developing a movie titled *The Hunt for Ben Solo*, focusing on the character formerly known as Kylo Ren, with Adam Driver involved in its development. Despite enthusiasm from Lucasfilm, the project was ultimately canceled by Disney executives. Similarly, David Fincher was reportedly in talks to direct a Star Wars film but did not move forward with the project[2][5].
Rian Johnson, who directed *Star Wars: The Last Jedi*, had plans for a new Star Wars trilogy. However, this trilogy was shelved as Johnson focused on other projects like the *Knives Out* series. He remains open to returning to Star Wars in the future but is currently engaged with his own work[3][6].
Bryce Dallas Howard is a frequent Star Wars director, primarily for television episodes within the franchise. While not attached to upcoming films, she continues to contribute significantly to the Star Wars saga through directing episodes of series like *Ahsoka*, which is entering its second season[7].
George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars, has officially stepped back from involvement in new Star Wars projects since the Disney acquisition. He has expressed that his creative vision concluded with the first six episodes, and the current and future films represent a separate creative direction under Lucasfilm and Disney[4].
In summary, the Star Wars film future is shaped by a mix of established filmmakers like Shawn Levy and Jon Favreau, emerging projects from Simon Kinberg, James Mangold, and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, and the potential for returns from directors like Rian Johnson. Meanwhile, some high-profile directors such as Steven Soderbergh and David Fincher had projects that were ultimately not realized. This diverse group of directors reflects Lucasfilm’s intent to explore new stories and eras within the Star Wars universe.
