‘Dawn Of The Jedi’: James Mangold Isn’t “Interested In Being Handcuffed” By ‘Star Wars’ Lore On Upcoming Prequel

As James Mangold luxuriates in the success of “A Complete Unknown,” which may end up an awards season darling over the next couple of months, he also looks ahead to his next picture. And right now, that may be his “Star Wars” prequel, “Dawn Of The Jedi.” So what does Mangold have in mind for his take on a franchise set in a galaxy far, far away?

READ MORE: ‘Dawn Of The Jedi’: James Mangold Could Shoot His ‘Star Wars’ Movie As Soon As Next Year

In a phrase, “something original.” Deadline reports (via MovieWeb) that the director hopes his movie, set 25,000 years before the events of George Lucas‘ original trilogy, doesn’t deal too much with the franchise’s prevalent lore. “To me, the really important aspects are the freedom to make something new,” said Mangold. “[Screenwriter] Beau Willimon and I, in relation to “Star Wars,” have been working on a script, and we’ll see what happens.”

First announced at the 2023 Star Wars Celebration in London, “Dawn Of The Jedi” will deal with the origins of the Jedi Order and their use of the Force. Ostensibly, the film would also deal with the origins of the Sith, too, but right now, Mangold is mostly concerned about being able to do his own thing creatively within the franchise. “The “Star Wars” movie would be taking place 25,000 years before any known “Star Wars” movies take place,” he continued. “It’s an area and a playground that I’ve always [hoped to work in] and that I was inspired by as a teenager. I’m not that interested in being handcuffed by so much lore at this point that it’s almost immovable, and you can’t please anybody.”

Nor should Mangold be interested to work within those confines, as “Star Wars” lore, extensive though it is, has gotten pretty stale at this point.  Good thing, then, that Willimon, a writer on “Andor,” is onboard the project.  Tony Gilroy‘s Disney+ series is arguably the best “Star Wars” installment in recent memory, with Willimon earning an Emmy nod for his work on the show. If anybody could help Mangold cook up an original concept in a cramped franchise, it’s Willimon.

But let’s not make hasty predictions that “Dawn Of The Jedi” will be Mangold follow-up to “A Complete Unknown.” The project lacks an official release date, and Lucasfilm is notorious for constantly shuffling around their upcoming “Star Wars” films (if not lifting them from the calendar or postponing them entirely). So there’s an off chance Mangold ends up not making “Dawn Of The Jedi” at all, in which case, maybe his “Swamp Thing” movie over at DCU could be his next film.

That’s all speculation for now, though.  Let’s allow Mangold to stay in the present moment, where the esteemed industry stalwart may be a dark horse pick for Best Director at the Oscars for “A Complete Unknown.” And if he wins that, then Mangold will surely be able to make whatever he wants next.