Star Wars fans certainly had lots to be excited about on Thursday after Disney dropped some major news! As Entertainment Tonight shares, the entertainment giant's annual Disney Investor Day saw executives announce a whole roster of movies and television shows taking place within the Star Wars universe— and several big names are attached!
The Mandalorian gets two concurrent spinoff shows
Star Wars' first live action original series The Mandalorian recently returned for its second season on Disney+ after receiving praise from critics and fans alike, and now it's spawned two spinoffs! Entertainment Tonight mentions that Rangers of the New Republic and Ahsoka will be debuting on the streaming platform, taking place at the same time.
There haven't been any details shared about Rangers of the New Republic, but Ahsoka will see Rosario Dawson reprising her role in The Mandalorian as "Ahsoka Tano". According to the head of Lucasfilm, Kathleen Kennedy, the two shows "will culminate in a climatic story event," before continuing at Christmas 2021.
Star Wars shows to see some familiar faces return
Disney isn't just focusing on the timeline of The Mandalorian, as they also shared details about several more Star Wars television series coming to Disney+! Animated series The Clone Wars is getting a spinoff with The Bad Batch, and there's also Star Wars Visions, which is described as a collection of short anime films.
When it comes to the live-action Star Wars shows, Kennedy revealed that Obi-Wan Kenobi— which stars Ewan McGregor in the role of the titular Jedi— will be directed by Deborah Chow. Set 10 years after 2003's The Revenge of the Sith, the series will also see Hayden Christensen reprise his role of "Darth Vader"!
Andor, the prequel series to Rogue One, stars Diego Luna as "Cassian Andor". Billed by Kennedy as "a tense, nail-biting spy thriller," the show's cast will include Stellan Skårsgard, Fiona Shaw, Denise Gough, and more. There's also Lando, a "brand new event series" about "Lando Calrissian," with a story developed by Dear White People's creator, Justin Simien.
Star Wars movie to be directed by Patty Jenkins
Disney also gave an update on some previously announced Star Wars projects, including upcoming theatrical releases! Earlier this year, it was announced that Taika Waititi would be directing a Star Wars film. Plot details are still under wraps for Waititi's as-of-now untitled project, but Kennedy said it will be "fresh, unexpected and unique".
Then there's Leslye Headland's previously untitled Star Wars series, which has now been titled The Acolyte! Kennedy shed a bit more light on what fans can expect from the show, revealing that it's a "mystery thriller" which will be set during the High Republic period.
Did the director have hard feelings toward the new film?
Finally, after Kennedy promised that a Star Wars movie would be directed by a woman, it was announced that Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins is helming the next Star Wars movie! As Entertainment Tonight mentions, Jenkins is set to direct Star Wars: Rogue Squadron, which is expected to be released December 2023. As Kennedy shared, the film will focus on "a new generation of starfighter pilots" moving up in the ranks!
The Force was definitely with her!
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