Credit: LucasfilmEvery fan knows that not every Star Wars project makes it to the finish line. Some ideas are teased, developed, even filmed—only to be shoved into storage, never to see the light of day. For decades, whispers of abandoned Star Wars stories have fueled speculation about what might have been.
But there’s one particular project that stands out. It wasn’t just rumored. It was completed. Dozens of written and ready-to-go episodes were locked away before audiences could laugh, argue, or even decide if they liked it.
The thought of that project finally resurfacing feels less like wishful thinking and more like an opportunity that Disney has ignored for far too long.
The Galaxy’s Lost Vault of Stories
But there’s one particular project that stands out. It wasn’t just rumored. It was completed. Dozens of written and ready-to-go episodes were locked away before audiences could laugh, argue, or even decide if they liked it.
The thought of that project finally resurfacing feels less like wishful thinking and more like an opportunity that Disney has ignored for far too long.
Every corner of the Star Wars galaxy has stories that fans either celebrate or debate endlessly. Some argue about which trilogy holds up the best, while others explore side characters that deserve more attention. Over the years, the franchise has experimented with animated series, live-action epics, and even unexpected cameos that sparked headlines.
Yet, for all of the projects that made it to screens, there are just as many that never did. Hidden pilots, scrapped films, and shelved shows have built up a kind of “lost Star Wars vault” that fans can only imagine. Somewhere inside that vault sits one project unlike anything else—a series that wasn’t just pitched, but practically finished.
A Galaxy That Almost Got a Comedy Series
The project in question is Star Wars Detours, a comedic animated series created by George Lucas and Seth Green. The idea was simple but bold: take the years between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope and reimagine them as a parody. It was meant to poke fun at beloved characters while leaning into the franchise’s quirks.
This wasn’t a half-baked experiment. The creative team finished 39 full episodes and prepared scripts for 62 more. That’s not a concept sketch—that’s a library of content ready for release. Yet Disney pulled the plug after buying Lucasfilm, claiming it didn’t “make sense” to launch a parody when they were rolling out a new trilogy of films.
In hindsight, it’s the kind of decision that feels like a missed opportunity.
Why Star Wars and Comedy Belong Together
Star Wars has always been a strange mix of epic storytelling and accidental comedy. While the saga gave us unforgettable moments, it also gave us clunky jokes that never quite landed. Fans didn’t need to wait for official humor—they made their own. Memes, parody sketches, and inside jokes have carried through generations.
Detours promised to embrace that playful spirit rather than run from it. Instead of cringing through unfunny lines in the middle of a movie, fans could enjoy an entire series built on humor.
With Seth Green steering the comedic vision, the show had the credibility to deliver something genuinely funny rather than awkward. In many ways, it was designed to be the Star Wars comedy fans didn’t know they were waiting for.
A Surprising Lineup of Talent
What really makes Detours unique is who signed on to bring it to life. Voice talent included Andy Richter, while musical parodies came straight from Weird Al Yankovic. The show wasn’t just telling jokes—it was experimenting with songs, sketches, and even planned for a full musical episode.
That’s the kind of variety that could have set it apart from everything else in the Star Wars catalog. Instead of trying to outdo the gravitas of the main films, it leaned into absurdity. Weird Al’s involvement alone gave it credibility as a project that would embrace fun without holding back.
Why the Timing Works Now
When Disney first shelved the project, executives were worried that a parody might undermine their shiny new trilogy. But times have changed. The trilogy has come and gone, and fan energy has shifted. Star Wars no longer feels untouchable—it feels weighed down.
That’s why now might be the perfect time to release Detours. The episodes are already completed, meaning Disney wouldn’t need millions to produce new content. At a moment when the franchise risks losing steam, putting out something unexpected and lighthearted could reignite enthusiasm.
It would also show that Disney understands the fanbase isn’t looking for more of the same. They want variety, surprise, and—most importantly—fun.
What the Creators Thought
Even those who worked on Detours have expressed frustration that the world has never seen it. A composer on the project called it “the best television show no one has ever seen” and praised the work of Seth Green, Seth MacFarlane, and Weird Al Yankovic.
He explained that executives at the time were afraid to mock something they had just purchased for billions. But his view was simple: enough time had passed, and the fanbase was ready for irrelevance.
It’s a rare glimpse behind the curtain that makes it clear—this wasn’t shelved because of quality—it was shelved because of fear.
What’s at Stake
The longer Detours stays hidden, the more it feels like wasted potential. Not only does Disney already own the completed episodes, but fans are also hungry for something that feels new. A parody series wouldn’t compete with ongoing stories—it would complement them.
If released, Detours could remind people that Star Wars doesn’t always have to be serious. It doesn’t have to carry the weight of saving the galaxy every time. Sometimes it can be about laughing at a franchise filled with quirky aliens, dramatic monologues, and over-the-top villains.
From Shelved to Spotlight?
Every franchise has abandoned projects. But few have something like Detours—a fully realized series that never aired, despite being ready to launch. This show wasn’t even trying to be canon in a galaxy where fans often debate what counts as “real” Star Wars. It was trying to be fun.
That’s what makes the idea of its revival so intriguing—not because it would change the timeline or rewrite history, but because it could finally give fans permission to laugh with the universe they love.
And maybe, just maybe, that’s what Star Wars needs most right now.