Filoni’s Star Wars Film Shelved: Skeleton Crew Crossover Stalled

Plans for Dave Filoni’s next big-screen Star Wars adventure have hit a snag, with the project now officially on hold. The film, which was first teased back in 2023, was shaping up to be a massive crossover event, bringing together not just the familiar faces from the so-called Mando-verse, but also introducing characters from the 2024 series Skeleton Crew. For now, though, fans will have to wait to see this ambitious team-up play out.

Word is, the untitled film would have seen the likes of The Mandalorian, Ahsoka, and Boba Fett joining forces with the newcomers from Skeleton Crew. Their common enemy? None other than Grand Admiral Thrawn, a villain who’s been stirring up trouble across the galaxy. The story was set to unfold in the timeline between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens, promising a fresh look at the Star Wars universe during a period that’s still full of mystery for many punters.

Filoni’s Vision and Studio Shake-Up

Filoni, who’s been a driving force behind recent Star Wars projects, had been working on the script while also penning the second season of Ahsoka. He seemed pretty chuffed with how things were coming together, saying,

‘Because I’ve been writing Ahsoka season 2, things have clicked, and I have a much better idea about where things are going to go. I will say, I have an opening I really like quite a bit, I’m very excited about it for that picture. I’m excited about the potential of just doing it.’

Behind the scenes, there’s been a bit of a changing of the guard at Lucasfilm. Filoni, who previously held the title of chief creative officer, has stepped up as co-president alongside Lynwen Brennan. The pair have taken over from Kathleen Kennedy, who led the studio for over a decade after Disney snapped up the Star Wars franchise in 2012. This leadership shake-up could be part of the reason for the project’s delay, as the new bosses settle in and set their priorities.

What’s Next for Star Wars on the Big Screen?

While Filoni’s crossover is on the backburner, Star Wars fans still have plenty to look forward to at the cinema. The Mandalorian and Grogu is set to hit theatres on 22 May, with Jon Favreau in the director’s chair. This film will continue the story of the much-loved Disney Plus series, giving fans more of the bounty hunter and his pint-sized mate.

Not long after, Star Wars: Starfighter is due to land on 28 May, 2027. This one’s a fresh story, introducing a new cast of characters played by Ryan Gosling, Matt Smith, and Mia Goth. With Shawn Levy at the helm, it’s shaping up to be a different take on the galaxy far, far away, offering something new for both die-hard fans and newcomers alike.

Fans Left Waiting for the Big Crossover

For now, the much-hyped crossover that would have seen Skeleton Crew’s young adventurers teaming up with the likes of Din Djarin and Ahsoka is on ice. There’s no word yet on when—or if—the project will get the green light again. In the meantime, Star Wars devotees will have to make do with the upcoming films and hope that Filoni’s vision eventually makes it to the big screen.