In a recent interview with Deadline, Shawn Levy, the director of the upcoming Deadpool & Wolverine, shared an update on his long-awaited Star Wars film.
Levy confirmed that while he is still developing the project, its completion may be far off due to his packed schedule. The director, who signed on for the Star Wars film in November 2022, expressed a strong desire to bring his vision to life, although he admitted that the development process is slow. His full comments are as follows:
“I am still developing my Star Wars movie and I would love to make it some day. 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.”
“You’ve gotta be aware of, ‘okay well wait, what are they doing over here, what’s that group doing over here,’ right? Because they have television, they have films. But some really exciting conversations with [Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy] and [executive vice president and chief creative officer] Dave Filoni and the group over at Lucas.”
Levy is currently engrossed in his collaboration with Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman for Deadpool & Wolverine, which is slated for release on 26 July 2024. This commitment, combined with the complex narrative landscape of the Star Wars universe, which includes multiple films, TV shows, books, comics, and games, complicates the development of his Star Wars film.
Echoing the sentiments of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny director James Mangold, who is also navigating the expansive Star Wars lore for his own project, Levy highlighted the challenge of ensuring his story aligns with the broader universe. Despite these challenges, Levy remains committed to his Star Wars endeavour, seeing it as a dream project.
The filmmaker’s future in blockbuster cinema is looking robust. Disney, which owns Lucasfilm, is keen on having Levy helm a Star Wars film, especially if Deadpool & Wolverine performs well. Moreover, Marvel Studios is reportedly considering Levy for the directorial role of Avengers 5, set for release on 1 May 2026. This opportunity, however, could push back his Star Wars project even further.
Looking ahead, Disney has several Star Wars films scheduled, with The Mandalorian and Grogu set to premiere on 22 May 2026, followed by releases on 18 December 2026, and 17 December 2027. It’s uncertain which projects will occupy these slots, though possibilities include a Daisy Ridley-led film about the Jedi Order and projects from James Mangold and Dave Filoni. Additionally, Taika Waititi and Rian Johnson are developing their own Star Wars entries, with Waititi’s film anticipated around 2030 and Johnson’s trilogy not yet in active development.
Patty Jenkins’ previously shelved Rogue Squadron film may also see a revival, as she disclosed ongoing obligations to produce a Star Wars script for Disney. This array of projects underscores Disney’s expansive plans for the Star Wars franchise, even as individual filmmakers like Levy navigate their creative and scheduling complexities.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, games, and comics — you name it. When she’s not reading or geeking out about the latest shows on Netflix, she’s probably playing Honkai: Star Rail, cosplaying, or daydreaming of meeting her idols.
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