The Star Wars universe is set to expand once again, this time with the creative touch of Shawn Levy, the director known for his work on Deadpool and Wolverine. According to Deadline, Levy’s untitled Star Wars film has reportedly added a writer, Jonathan Tropper, who previously collaborated with Levy on projects like The Adam Project, This Is Where I Leave You, and Kodachrome.
Tropper’s involvement suggests that Levy’s Star Wars film is making progress. Despite Levy’s statement in June 2024 that he was still working on the project, Disney has a history of announcing Star Wars films that eventually fade into obscurity. However, the addition of Tropper indicates that this project might have a more promising future.
Levy expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “I am still developing my Star Wars movie and I would love to make it someday. I have an idea that I’m excited about. Development is slow going and developing something with that amount of mythology scaffolding, it takes time.” This statement highlights the challenges of creating a film within the expansive Star Wars universe, which requires careful consideration of its rich mythology.
Disney’s eagerness to have Levy helm a Star Wars film could be influenced by the potential success of his upcoming Deadpool & Wolverine film, starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman. If this film proves to be a box office hit when it premieres on July 26, 2024, it could bolster Levy’s standing with Disney. Additionally, there are reports that Disney is considering Levy as the director for the next Avengers film, set to release on May 1, 2026. This project could potentially delay his Star Wars film even further.
The development of Levy’s Star Wars film has faced its share of challenges, including the actor and writer strikes of 2023, which pressed pause on production. Despite these setbacks, the project appears to be moving forward with Tropper’s involvement.
Disney has a slate of Star Wars movies lined up, with concrete release dates finally confirmed. The Mandalorian and Grogu will be the next Star Wars film to hit cinemas on May 22, 2026. Following that, December 18, 2026, and December 17, 2027, are locked in as the subsequent film premiere dates. However, it remains unclear which of Disney’s projects will fill these slots.
One likely candidate is the Daisy Ridley-led film from director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, which will focus on Rey rebuilding the Jedi Order 15 years after the events of Star Wars: Episode 9 – The Rise of Skywalker. Other possibilities include a film by James Mangold centered on the dawn of the Force or a project that will serve as a culmination of Star Wars shows like Ahsoka and The Mandalorian, directed by Lucasfilm’s chief creative officer Dave Filoni.
Thor: Ragnarok and Love and Thunder director Taika Waititi is also working on a Star Wars film, though its progress is slow, and it is not expected until around 2030. Additionally, Rian Johnson, who directed Star Wars: Episode 8 – The Last Jedi, has an entire trilogy of films announced, but these are not in active development.
Finally, Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins had a Rogue Squadron movie announced, which was later canceled due to her commitments to Wonder Woman 3. However, with the cancellation of Wonder Woman 3, Jenkins revealed she still owed Disney a Star Wars script, sparking hope that Rogue Squadron might be back in development.
The addition of Jonathan Tropper as the writer for Shawn Levy’s Star Wars film is a significant step forward for the project. While the film’s release date remains uncertain, the collaboration between Levy and Tropper, who have a proven track record of successful projects, bodes well for the future of this Star Wars installment. Fans of the franchise can look forward to more updates as the project continues to develop.
Source: Deadline
