Director James Mangold, known for his work on “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” is taking Star Wars fans on a journey back in time, thousands of years before the Skywalker Saga, with his latest project for Lucasfilm1. The film, which was announced at Star Wars Celebration 2023, promises to explore an untouched period in the Star Wars timeline, offering intriguing possibilities for the franchise’s rich lore.
While further information on the project is still under wraps, Mangold has shared some insight into the genesis of the film and why he chose to set it so far back in the Star Wars timeline. The director expressed his long-standing interest in Lucasfilm’s work, mentioning his previous collaborations and his connections with others involved in Star Wars projects. However, Mangold realized that many ongoing projects were advancing the saga’s storyline, prompting him to take a different approach.
Rather than moving forward, Mangold decided to delve into the distant past of the Star Wars universe. When he proposed this idea to Kathy Kennedy, Lucasfilm’s president, he was pleasantly surprised by her and her team’s enthusiasm. Mangold explained his vision, stating, “For me, it’s about, I want to be part of the saga, but I also don’t want to be holding so much lore in the air that you can hardly tell a story.” The director expressed his wish to create a sort of “Ten Commandments of the Force,” an origin story exploring how the Force was discovered, understood, wielded, and ultimately harnessed.
The announcement of Mangold’s movie has sparked immense interest among fans, considering the inherent mystery of the Force and its integral role in the Star Wars saga. The film’s unique setting in a period of Star Wars history that has remained unexplored until now only adds to its potential allure. As Disney reshuffles its Star Wars release slate, with films set to hit the big screen in 2026 and 2027, there is growing anticipation for this venture into the ancient past of a galaxy far, far away.
Mangold’s ambitious endeavor promises to enrich the Star Wars lore while providing a fresh perspective on the origins of the Force. As fans wait for further details to emerge, the prospect of exploring the ancient past of Star Wars remains a tantalizing prospect that holds the potential to redefine our understanding of the Force and its place in the beloved space opera.