Shawn Levy’s Star Wars: Can It Save Disney’s Floundering Franchise?

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The challenges Lucasfilm faces in creating a new Star Wars film have become almost as famous as the series itself. Since Disney took over the studio in 2012, the distant galaxy has been more like a creative limbo for full-length films. Rian Johnson’s trilogy is nowhere to be found. Kevin Feige’s highly anticipated project disappeared quicker than a Thanos snap. Patty Jenkins’ Rogue Squadron was grounded indefinitely. Now, Shawn Levy’s unnamed Star Wars movie with Ryan Gosling as the lead is the latest attempt to end this streak, but it’s uncertain if it will ever reach theaters.

In a recent chat, screenwriter Jonathan Tropper shared some insights about his ongoing project. Although he prefers to keep secrets, he acknowledged, “Truth be told, I can’t discuss much. So yes, we’re indeed moving forward with it. Yes, this is our fourth collaboration. It’s the first since ‘The Adam Project.’ ” He also hinted excitedly, “I’m hoping it arrives quicker than you might anticipate.

Tropper and Levy have a history of teaming up, having previously worked on movies like “This Is Where I Leave You”, “Kodachrome”, and most recently, Netflix’s “The Adam Project”. Their long-standing collaboration could potentially boost this project, but it’s important to remember that the world of Hollywood has seen many once-promising ideas for a new “Star Wars” series fail.

Levy appears to be gaining traction with his upcoming project. His latest blockbuster, Deadpool & Wolverine, amassed over $1.3 billion at the box office in 2024, making it the second-highest-grossing film of the year and the most successful R-rated movie ever produced. With Ryan Gosling, a well-established A-lister, joining the cast, one might expect this venture to be a safe bet. There’s even speculation that Jesse Plemons could portray a villain, hinting that Tropper’s script may be nearing its final stages.

However, it’s important to note that while Disney+ has been consistent in releasing Lucasfilm content, the studio’s theatrical ventures have struggled. Fans are split or even disgruntled by Disney’s handling of the franchise, with concerns raised about its emphasis on identity politics and altering characters from George Lucas’ original trilogy. Some critics argue that these changes have undermined the goodwill of long-term fans. Additionally, Disney has not yet made back its $4 billion investment in Lucasfilm solely through box office earnings, creating a financial deficit that grows with each less-than-impressive production.

See Also How ‘The Acolyte’ Damaged the Star Wars Brand

At present, only one confirmed Star Wars film on Disney’s schedule is The Mandalorian and Grogu, which is a cinematic extension of their popular streaming series. Other projects, such as the Rey Skywalker movie, are said to be facing challenges in terms of creative direction. In this scenario, Levy’s film appears to be an effort aimed at demonstrating that Lucasfilm can still create films that audiences truly desire to watch.

For fans, Levy’s unnamed project could potentially be Lucasfilm’s opportunity to restore their reputation or delay becoming obsolete for some more time. However, considering Disney’s past experiences with Star Wars, it might be prudent not to set expectations too high. In this period of endless mediocre quality and mismanaged priorities, it seems that disappointment is as synonymous with the franchise as lightsabers and space battles.

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2025-04-11 23:17