Credit: Inside the MagicKathleen Kennedy is officially leaving Lucasfilm, and the news of her departure has come with a few bombshells – including the news that Star Wars has put the Mandoverse on the “back burner.”
After over a decade as the president of Lucasfilm, Kennedy is set to exit the studio, effective this week. As suggested by recent reports, Lucasfilm has named not one but two successors, with Dave Filoni taking over the creative reins and Lynwen Brennan handling all things business as his co-president.
The news drops during a turbulent time for Star Wars. May marks the release of its first cinematic effort since Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019). Having spent recent years growing its streaming presence on Disney+ to middling results, The Mandalorian & Grogu is the culmination of Lucasfilm’s burgeoning MandoVerse – a universe spawned by the first season of The Mandalorian but later expanded by projects such as Ahsoka and The Book of Boba Fett.
But while many assumed this was just another major step towards an expanded MandoVerse, it seems like the film may actually mark the beginning of its end.
‘Star Wars’ Abandons the MandoVerse
Lucasfilm had previously planned to create a film directed by Dave Filoni that united characters from all corners of the MandoVerse.
But according to The Hollywood Reporter, Lucasfilm has decided to put this idea “on the back burner.”
While it’s possible that the studio didn’t want to stretch Filoni too thin in the early days of his new role (this would’ve marked his live-action feature directorial debut), recent reports suggest that this move is part of a larger effort to wind down the franchise.
Earlier this year, industry insider Daniel Richtman claimed that Lucasfilm was considering moving away from the MandoVerse for future projects.
This follows a decline in enthusiasm for The Mandalorian in its third season and lukewarm responses to the likes of The Book of Boba Fett. While showrunner Jon Favreau previously confirmed that scripts were written for a fourth season, these have seemingly been abandoned after the decision to take Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and Grogu to the big screen.
‘Star Wars’ Embraces Life Beyond the MandoVerse
At present, the only other project set within the universe (which is set in the period after the Empire falls in 1983’s Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi) is Season 2 of Ahsoka. Other projects in the works for Star Wars are set at different points in the timeline, such as Shawn Levy’s upcoming Star Wars: Starfighter (2027), which is said to take place five years after the events of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
Theoretically, we’re also set to receive a film featuring the return of Rey (Daisy Ridley). While the project has cycled through several screenwriters since its announcement, Ridley has confirmed that it will be worth the wait when (or, not to be too pessimistic, if) the film is released.
Much has also been made of the axed Ben Solo film. As confirmed by Adam Driver in 2025, The Hunt For Ben Solo was set to see the redeemed antagonist of the sequel trilogy return after seemingly sacrificing himself for Rey at the end of Rise of Skywalker.
While Disney CEO Bob Iger (who is also set to leave his leadership role in 2026) and Co-Chairman of Disney Entertainment Alan Bergman ultimately vetoed the idea due to confusion over Ben Solo’s survival, fans have heavily pushed for the studio to reconsider. Some also believe that Lucasfilm could rework Rey’s standalone film to incorporate the character.
Do you think Star Wars should move on from the MandoVerse?