After 48 Years, ‘Star Wars’ Moving on From Skywalker Saga

The galaxy is shifting at Lucasfilm. In the wake of The Acolyte’s cancellation, and amid a fanbase still split over the direction of the Star Wars saga, Kathleen Kennedy has offered a new vision for the franchise—one that’s embracing standalone storytelling over interconnected sprawl.

Leslye Headland’s The Acolyte arrived with bold ambitions—and instantly became one of the most hotly debated Star Wars entries in recent memory. From its inception, the series was spotlighted as a “female-centric” narrative, driven by a diverse creative team and cast, including Amandla Stenberg, Lee Jung-jae, Manny Jacinto, and Jodie Turner-Smith.

While applauded by many for its representation and boundary-pushing themes, The Acolyte was also targeted by detractors accusing it of falling in line with a “woke agenda.” That discourse loomed large over the show’s rollout and reception.

Despite a storyline rooted deep in Star Wars lore—featuring nods to Darth Plagueis and eerie events like the Brendok massacre—the series wrapped with eight episodes and little momentum for more. Officially, Disney pulled the plug due to performance issues.

“So as it relates to Acolyte, we were happy with our performance, but it wasn’t where we needed it to be given the cost structure of that title, quite frankly, to go and make a season two,” said Disney Entertainment co-chairman Alan Bergman.

While the studio cites cost as the decisive factor, some fans remain skeptical, pointing to the toxic discourse and coordinated campaigns against the show as potential contributors to its short lifespan.

Lucasfilm’s next chapter appears to be one that loosens the ties of its existing continuity. Speaking at a British Film Institute screening of George Lucas’ original 1977 Star Wars, Kennedy suggested a strategic shift in how the studio will tell stories moving forward.

“I really think that now we’re in a position where it’s broadened the possibility of stories and filmmakers we can bring in to tell stories that mean something to them,” Kennedy said. “…it doesn’t necessarily have to connect to every little thing that’s been done in Star Wars; it can actually be a standalone story that then builds into many, many other stories.”

This approach presents a noticeable departure from the style popularized by Dave Filoni, whose contributions—from The Clone Wars to The Mandalorian—have prioritized continuity and cross-series character arcs. While his method has been celebrated, a segment of the fanbase has grown weary of constant callbacks and overlap.

Among the clearest signals of Kennedy’s new direction is Star Wars: Starfighter, which is slated to hit theaters in May 2027. The film, helmed by Deadpool & Wolverine director Shawn Levy, stars Ryan Gosling and Mia Goth. Set five years after 2019’s Star Wars: Episode IX–The Rise of Skywalker, it’s intended as a fully independent narrative—the first to explore life in a post-sequel Star Wars galaxy.

The new approach also extends to a trilogy being developed by Simon Kinberg, long rumored to be the next chapter in the franchise’s cinematic evolution. Though it was once presumed to be Episodes X through XII, it’s now confirmed to move beyond the Skywalker lineage and introduce a fresh saga.

Even as Kennedy champions new directions, not all ties to the past have been severed. The Rey-focused feature announced in 2023, with Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy at the helm, is still in development, albeit moving slowly. The film was intended to chronicle Rey’s leadership in rebuilding the Jedi Order.

Meanwhile, Filoni’s Mando-Verse movie remains part of the studio’s plan, though it has taken a backseat to Jon Favreau’s The Mandalorian and Grogu, arriving in 2026. Should those projects succeed, Filoni’s feature could offer a culminating event for that era of Star Wars storytelling.

Kennedy has also reiterated her interest in Taika Waititi’s long-gestating Star Wars film. When scheduling permits, she still hopes to bring his unique voice into the franchise.

Whether Kennedy’s standalone vision reinvigorates Star Wars or leads to further debate, one thing is certain: the franchise is entering a transitional phase unlike any it’s seen before.

How do you feel about this new direction for the Star Wars franchise? Let us know in the comments down below!