Top 10 Most Anticipated Star Wars Releases of 2022 and Beyond
#10: “The Acolyte”
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Release Date: TBA Fans have been begging to get a live-action depiction of the “Old Republic” era for years. But while “The Acolyte” won’t be going back that far, it will reportedly take place a century before the events of “The Phantom Menace,” so those who are sick of the Skywalker Saga will be pleased. Written by “Russian Doll” co-creator Leslye Headland, the series has been described as a “mystery thriller” set at a time when the Jedi were at their peak and the Sith were slowly starting to seep in. As if a “Star Wars” political thriller of sorts doesn’t sound cool enough, “The Hate U Give” actor Amandla Stenberg is reportedly in talks to star, which would definitely give it the acting clout it needs.
#9: Untitled Rian Johnson Trilogy
Release Date: TBA “The Last Jedi” was a divisive “Star Wars” movie, to say the least. However you feel about it, it’s hard to argue that it fits into the overall sequel trilogy extraordinarily well. But for those who admire its director, Rian Johnson, you’ll be pleased to know that his time in a galaxy far, far away is far from finished. While rumors about its status have varied, a film trilogy written and directed by Johnson is still in active development. Though details are scarce, it’s said to focus on entirely new characters, which is great news considering the wonderful original characters depicted in Johnson’s “Last Jedi” follow-up, “Knives Out.”
#8: “Skeleton Crew”
Release Date: 2023 Now here’s one that’s entered production quickly and has us more than excited. Only a few months after a new show was rumored to be in the works, “Star Wars Celebration” in May 2022 revealed the title to be “Skeleton Crew.” Featuring a primarily young, teenage cast, the series is set after the fall of the Empire. Though exact plot details are forthcoming, it’s been described as a “galactic version of classic Amblin coming-of-age adventure films of the ‘80s.” If that doesn’t sound like “The Goonies” in space, we don’t know what does. While it’s only been speculated that “Spider-Man” director Jon Watts would be helming an episode, one name we know for sure boarding the project is that of Jude Law.
#7: “Rogue Squadron”
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Release Date: TBA While “Rogue Squadron” was previously listed for December 2023, seeing as it’s not entering principal photography anytime soon, it almost certainly won’t be hitting that date. Indeed, this one has hit numerous setbacks since being announced in 2020, but based on the description, we’re still excited. Much like the video games of the same name, “Rogue Squadron” is set to follow the exploits of up-and-coming starfighter pilots. With so many “Star Wars” movies centering on Jedis and the like, this one could highlight another subset of the galaxy in a really cool way. With director Patty Jenkins also set to helm the third “Wonder Woman,” it remains unclear just when we’ll be seeing this epic.
#6: “Lando”
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Release Date: TBA “Solo: A Star Wars Story” was a bit of a mixed bag for fans, but if there’s one great thing it gave us, it was Donald Glover as a young Lando Calrissian. In December 2020, Disney announced it was developing a limited series centered around the titular character, but since then, there hasn’t been a whole lot of movement. In May 2022, Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy confirmed the series was still in the works, with Glover in talks to star. Should it come to fruition, we would be more than intrigued to see where Glover’s version of the character would go next. Who knows? Maybe we can even get a cameo from Billy Dee Williams.
#5: “Tales of the Jedi”
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Release Date: Late 2022 The animated side of things has been doing stellar work since Disney bought Lucasfilm in 2012. But if there’s one upcoming project we’re looking forward to more than most, it’s “Tales of the Jedi.” An anthology series of sorts, “Tales of the Jedi” will split its six episodes into two “paths.” The first will feature Ahsoka Tano, while the second will touch on Count Dooku prior to his turn to the Dark Side. More Ahsoka is always good, as another entry on this list will attest, but what’s got us really excited is the Dooku angle, which will explore his relationship with his young padawan, Qui-Gon Jinn. Even more tantalizing is the confirmation that Liam Neeson will be returning to lend his voice.
#4: “Andor”
Release Date: August 31, 2022 While a lot of these projects could be a year or more out, this one’s coming sooner rather than later. Indeed, August 2022 will see the debut of “Andor,” a series centering around rebel Cassian Andor. Taking place five years before the events of “Rogue One,” “Andor” will depict the early days of the Rebellion against the Empire. In addition to Andor actor Diego Luna, also returning is Forest Whitaker as Saw Gerrera, alongside “Star Wars” newcomers and powerhouse actors like Stellan Skarsgård and Fiona Shaw. While other live-action series have had single-digit-episode seasons, “Andor’s” first will have twelve, with another twelve set to wrap the series in Season 2. Sufficient to say, if you like Cassian Andor, Disney’s got you covered.
#3: Untitled Taika Waititi Film
Release Date: TBA Sorry, “Rogue Squadron” - if we’re getting a live-action “Star Wars” movie in 2023, it’s probably gonna be this one. After the success of “Thor: Ragnarok,” Taika Waititi became a hot commodity in Hollywood. Even though his time with the MCU wouldn’t be over, his relationship with Disney wouldn’t be restricted to just that. After directing an episode of “The Mandalorian,” it was announced that Waititi would helm his own “Star Wars” movie. Very little is known about the project right now, but based on Waititi’s pedigree and that of “1917” screenwriter Krysty Wilson-Cairns, we know we’re in good hands.
#2: “Ahsoka”
Release Date: 2023 Ahsoka Tano was the standout character from “The Clone Wars,” and her long-awaited live-action debut in “The Mandalorian” did not disappoint. Thankfully, Disney had the foresight to capitalize on the character and the genius casting of Rosario Dawson by giving her her own show. Though plot details are still under wraps, it will see Hayden Christensen reprise his role as Ahsoka’s former master Anakin Skywalker a.k.a. Darth Vader, so that kind of speaks for itself. Also making her live-action debut will be “Rebels” character Sabine Wren. Couple all that with unspecified appearances by Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Ray Stevenson as an antagonist, and we’d say we’re more than pumped.
#1: “The Mandalorian” Season 3
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Release Date: February 2023 At a time when the sequel trilogy only served to divide the fanbase even more, “The Mandalorian” debuted and reminded us that the future of “Star Wars” is still bright. Little has captured the cultural imagination of fans quite like the adventures of Mando and his little buddy Grogu. While you’ll have to watch the last few episodes of “The Book of Boba Fett” to be caught up with their story, we have no doubt that “Mandalorian” Season 3 will live up to the hype. While we only have fan theories to go off right now, the return of characters like Moff Gideon and Bo-Katan tickles our interest, as does the inclusion of actors like Tim Meadows and Christopher Lloyd.
