Earlier today at the Star Wars Celebration in London, Lucasfilm head Kathleen Kennedy announced three upcoming “Star Wars” films: one from Dave Filoni, one from Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, and another from James Mangold. Filoni’s film wraps up several storylines from Disney+ shows, while Obaid-Chinoy’s follows up on Daisy Ridley‘s Rey as she builds a new Jedi Order. But what about Mangold’s film?
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Variety has the scoop on Mangold’s intentions for his “Star Wars” projects, tentatively titled “Dawn Of The Jedi.” And that working title reveals what Mangold’s entry in the “Star Wars” universe will examine. In short, he’ll explore the beginnings of the Jedi order and its founders, set thousands of years before the events of the original “Star Wars” films. “It’s a chance to tell the entire story of its own, the birth of the force,” Mangold told Variety. “When I first talked to Kathy Kennedy about it, I just said, ‘I just see this opening to make kind of a “Ben-Hur” or “The 10 Commandments” about the birth of the force.’”
So a religious epic set in the “Star Wars” universe? Not a bad idea. “The force has become a kind of religious legend that spans through all these movies,” Mangold continued. “But where did it come from? How is it found? Who found it? Who was the first Jedi? And that’s what I’m writing right now.” Obviously, an origin story of the force won’t deal with any well-known “Star Wars” characters, so Mangold will tread uncharted territory for his film. But maybe that’s what the “Star Wars” Universe needs right now.
With “Dawn Of The Jedi,” Mangold adds another film to his list of upcoming projects that already includes a Buster Keaton biopic and a Bob Dylan biopic with Timothée Chalamet. Mangold also confirmed in an interview at the Star Wars Celebration that he’s writing the “Swamp Thing” movie at DC Studios. That was all but confirmed in February after Mangold tweeted an image of the comics character after James Gunn‘s announcement of “Gods And Monsters,” but now it’s official. “The truth is, I’m writing both right now, and who knows what’s going to happen and what’s gonna blossom first or second?” said Mangold.
But before “Dawn Of The Jedi” or “Swamp Thing,” Mangold has the theatrical release of “Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny” up next. That film bows on June 30, and its success could influence how quickly Lucasfilm wants to bring Mangold’s “Star Wars” film into fruition.
