According to a report from Knight Edge Media, director Jon Watts and writer Christopher Ford spent much of 2026 developing a second, undisclosed live-action Star Wars series for Disney+. The untitled 8-episode project was reportedly being crafted with Western genre sensibilities, following their swashbuckling, Amblin-inspired work on Star Wars: Skeleton Crew.
According to the report, a full writers’ room was convened in January 2026 and operated through August. The project was built as an entirely original standalone series rather than a second season of Skeleton Crew. However, withWattsbeing chosen to direct the upcomingSimon Kinberg-pennedStar Wars: Episode X, development on the Western project has reportedly gone quiet, leaving its future at Lucasfilm uncertain.
Kinberg’s involvement in the new trilogy was initially reported in late 2024, representing a major creative commitment for Lucasfilm. In early 2026, reports emerged that the opening chapter of Kinberg’s trilogy had emerged as a top priority for the studio.
Lucasfilm’s Pivot From D+ to the Big Screen
Whether the project was quietly shelved or placed on hold, the revelation highlights a clear pattern in Lucasfilm’s current development pipeline under new creative Grand Admiral Dave Filoni. Following a push into D+ original programming, the studio is increasingly shifting its go-to directors like Jon Watts and Jon Favreau toward theatrical releases.
Shawn Levy‘sStar Wars: Starfighter, set during “a moment in the galaxy where there is no sort of governing enforcer or order,” is already generating positive buzz ahead of its May 28, 2027 release.
While rumors and reports indicate that films such asJames Mangold‘sDawn of the Jediare no longer in development, Lucasfilm remains eager to keep Star Wars in theaters and believes that more stories in the Skywalker Saga–and, perhaps, a Darth Vader solo film starring Hayden Christensen–will drive attendance.
The Future of Live-Action Star Wars
WithAhsokaSeason 2 slated to debut on January 20, 2027, Lucasfilm’s television slate is becoming far more selective. Indeed beyond the Filoni-created, Rosario Dawson-led sophomore season, no live-action streaming projects have been revealed to be in development. While a Star Wars Western remains a compelling concept for the franchise’s fringe corners, Watts‘ immediate priority will be helming the next theatrical era of the Skywalker legacy.
