It’s been a strange few years for the Star Wars franchise. The conclusion to the sequel trilogy, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, was panned by critics and fans alike, with many calling out its nonsensical story. Fortunately, Lucasfilm had a lifeline in the form of the Disney+ streaming service, which enabled the company to develop TV shows without the same dark cloud hanging over them that the movies did. The good times didn’t last forever, though, as series like Star Wars: The Acolyte and Star Wars: Skeleton Crew flamed out, failing to secure more than one season. Star Wars is now looking to return to the big screen in a major way with Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu and Star Wars: Starfighter.
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While Shawn Levy’s movie starring Ryan Gosling sounds interesting, the same can’t be said of The Mandalorian & Grogu, which is a continuation of Star Wars’ first Disney+ series. Lucasfilm has yet to justify adapting its most popular show into a movie, and it may never attempt to do so. That’s a shame because there are a handful of other Star Wars stories that should’ve gotten a shot on the big screen before Din Djarin’s next adventure.
5) Poe Dameron Prequel
The Rise of Skywalker doesn’t do very much right, but it does finally make Poe Dameron a major part of the action. He joins the crew on their mission to hunt down the Sith artifacts and reveals a little bit about his past, including that he used to be a smuggler. Since Poe’s parents are legendary Rebels, exploring how he turned to a life of crime would be fascinating. The comic books touch on the story, but it has even more potential as a movie.
4) Obi-Wan Kenobi Follow-Up
Long before Ewan McGregor returned in the Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi Disney+ series, he was in talks to star in a movie about his Jedi. While the show does its job, following Kenobi as he protects Leia Organa from kidnappers, it always feels like it’s holding back. Handing a movie budget over to the iconic character seems like a good idea, especially since he’s finally ready to reunite with his late master, Qui-Gon Jinn, and learn how to become one with the Force.
3) Rogue Squadron
Lucasfilm is famous for announcing a big project, only to drop it like a sack of potatoes and move on to something shinier when things get hard. At one point, Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins was working on Star Wars: Rogue Squadron, which would have focused on the famous group of X-Wing pilots. It sounded like Top Gun in space, and it’s hard to imagine anything cooler than that. While Starfighter might borrow some elements from Rogue Squadron, there’s enough room for two movies about pilots.
2) Darth Plagueis Prequel
The Acolyte takes plenty of swings, and not all of them connect. However, the one thing that everyone can agree works about the show is its Darth Plagueis tease. The Sith Lord reveals himself in the show’s finale, and a second season would’ve explored his story more deeply. But just because The Acolyte is done doesn’t mean Plagueis has to be. Lucasfilm could easily green-light a movie about Darth Sidious’ master and the events that led up to his mysterious death.
1) Heir to the Empire
The story that Dave Filoni and Jon Favreau are working on in their various shows revolves around the remnants of the Empire spread across the galaxy. Grand Admiral Thrawn is at the top of the food chain, and with him back and stronger than ever, it feels like a good time to bring everyone together to stand against him. It’s possible that The Mandalorian & Grogu sets the stage for that event, but there’s no reason to beat around the bush. Call up Ahsoka Tano, Boba Fett, Luke Skywalker, and anyone else with a working ship and have them take the fight to Thrawn and his undead army.
The Mandalorian & Grogu hits theaters on May 22, 2026.
Which of these Star Wars movies would you have liked to have seen before The Mandalorian & Grogu? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!
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