Mapping the Filoni Era: A Visual Timeline of Star Wars Projects Under the New Leadership

Hook: Why every Star Wars fan needs a single, reliable timeline right now

Too many announcements, too few clear signals. Between late‑2025 shakeups and Dave Filoni's January 2026 promotion to president of Lucasfilm, fans and listeners are drowning in headlines — not clarity. If you follow podcasts and pop‑culture feeds, you need a concise, visual timeline that separates what’s genuinely greenlit from what’s effectively on hold, and maps who at Lucasfilm is steering each ship.

Quick summary: The Filoni era in one paragraph (inverted pyramid)

As of January 2026, Dave Filoni is Lucasfilm’s president while retaining his role as chief creative officer; Lynwen Brennan joins him as co‑president overseeing business operations. Several high‑profile films (including James Mangold’s Dawn of the Jedi and projects from Taika Waititi, Steven Soderbergh and Donald Glover) are reported on hold or “back burner,” while series and streaming projects tied to Filoni’s creative universe remain the studio’s near‑term focus. This article gives you a visual workflow and an interactive timeline blueprint you can use to track announcements, slot personnel roles into schedules, and build your own release calendar and alerts.

How to read this guide

• We start with an at‑a‑glance status map of announced projects and their last known 2026 status.
• Then we show how Filoni and Brennan’s leadership roles affect priorities and timelines.
• Finally, we give practical steps, RSS and calendar tools, podcast and community recommendations, and a template for your own interactive timeline.

The at‑a‑glance status map (Jan 2026 snapshot)

Below is a concise categorization based on Lucasfilm statements and industry reporting in late 2025–early 2026. Use this as a working snapshot — we explain how to keep it updated automatically later in the article.

Greenlit / Active (highest near‑term probability)

• Filoni‑adjacent streaming series — Ongoing development and production priority for Lucasfilm given Disney+ strategy. TV series tied to the Mandalorian/Ahsoka universe are being prioritized for near‑term release windows.
• Mandolorian / Ahsoka follow‑ups — These series continue under Filoni’s creative supervision; precise season dates depend on production slates but are Lucasfilm’s top streaming priority.

In development / Early stages

• Rey standalone (Sharmeen Obaid‑Chinoy + Daisy Ridley) — Announced in 2023 but saw no mention in Kathleen Kennedy’s exit statements. Status: uncertain; development likely ongoing.
• Other announced feature concepts — Scripts and director attachments exist for several concepts, but moving from script to production depends on new leadership priorities and Disney’s theatrical strategy.

On hold / Back burner (low near‑term probability)

• James Mangold’s Dawn of the Jedi — Kennedy confirmed the script is “incredible” but said this project is “definitely on hold.”
• Steven Soderbergh + Adam Driver Ben Solo movie — Reported as finished script but “on the back burner.”
• Donald Glover’s Lando — Script reportedly finished; currently not prioritized.
• Taika Waititi film — Reported as on the back burner with limited near‑term prospects.

"We're pretty far along," Kathleen Kennedy said about the slate she discussed on her way out — but she also confirmed some big projects were being parked. (Paraphrase of Kennedy statements, Jan 2026.)

Why leadership changes matter for the release calendar

Leadership changes at studios aren’t cosmetic. They reshape which projects get budget runway, marketing support, and theatrical vs streaming placement. With Dave Filoni elevated to president while still serving as chief creative officer, Lucasfilm now centralizes creative stewardship and operational oversight in two roles:

• Dave Filoni — President & Chief Creative Officer: He now has formal authority to prioritize story arcs and franchise continuity across TV and film. Expect Filoni‑driven IP (Mandalorian/Ahsoka universe, animated continuities) to get earlier release slots and bigger marketing pushes.
• Lynwen Brennan — Co‑President (Business & Operations): With deep Lucasfilm institutional knowledge since 1999, Brennan will manage budgets, production pipelines, and schedules — crucial for translating Filoni’s creative priorities into realistic calendars.

How that changes the practical release calendar

• More resources to streaming series (shorter intervals between seasons) because TV drives subscriptions and consistent audience engagement.
• High‑risk, high‑concept features (like Dawn of the Jedi) face a longer approval funnel; they need strategic justification tied to box office and transmedia opportunities.
• Standalone tentpole films will require alignment between Filoni’s creative vision and Brennan’s operational timeline — expect a cautious ramp‑up for new theatrical entries in 2027–2029 instead of a 2026 film blitz.

Visual timeline blueprint: how to build an interactive calendar for the Filoni era

Below is a reproducible design for a timeline interface you can create in Notion, Airtable, Google Sheets, or any timeline JS tool. Use color codes and swimlanes for clarity.

Design elements (recommended)

• Swimlanes: Separate bands for "Filoni‑led", "Brennan/Business", "Other directors", and "Animated/Legacy" projects.
• Color codes: Green = Greenlit (in production or with release window), Yellow = In development, Red = On hold, Grey = Unconfirmed/rumor.
• Milestone markers: Announced, Pre‑production, Filming, Post‑production, Release, Dropped.
• Metadata: Attach fields for source links, last update date, and certainty score (1–10).

Sample timeline rows (2026–2029)

1. 2026 Q1–Q4: Focus on streaming seasons and tie‑ins; Filoni overseeing production approvals and continuity checks.
2. 2027: Window for larger Lucasfilm theatrical announcements once strategy is finalized; smaller features may be scheduled for late‑2027 to test theatrical audience appetite.
3. 2028–2029: Earliest realistic slot for high‑concept films like Dawn of the Jedi if given green light and immediate production support.

Case study: Why Mangold’s Dawn of the Jedi stalled

James Mangold’s script was publicly praised as "incredible," yet it’s a textbook example of why high‑concept film projects stall when company strategy pivots. The factors were:

• Massive worldbuilding cost and VFX uncertainty for a 25,000‑years‑before timeline.
• Questionable immediate tie‑ins to existing streaming audiences; little serial leverage to drive Disney+ retention in the near term.
• Outgoing leadership had shrugged at prioritizing theatrical risk in the near term; new leadership must weigh that risk against a streaming‑first roadmap.

Practical, actionable advice for fans and podcasters

Below are step‑by‑step actions you can take today to build an accurate, low‑maintenance watch system for the Filoni era.

1. Build your own living timeline (15–30 minutes)

1. Create a Google Sheet or Airtable with columns: Project, Type (Film/Series), Last Known Status, Source Link, Certainty (1–10), Swimlane, Next Check Date.
2. Populate rows from official sources: StarWars.com press releases, Lucasfilm social channels, and reputable trades (Deadline, Variety, THR).
3. Use conditional formatting: Green, Yellow, Red, Grey based on status column.

2. Automate alerts

• RSS: Subscribe to StarWars.com RSS and add trade outlets to an RSS reader (Feedly, Inoreader). Create a keyword filter for "Dave Filoni" and specific project names.
• Calendar ICS: Export or create an ICS file with milestone dates you care about (announcement windows, expected release years) and subscribe in Google Calendar. Update as new data arrives.
• News alerts: Use Google Alerts for a curated set of project and leader names, but tune frequency to weekly to avoid noise.

3. Pick a small set of trusted podcasts and feeds

Podcasts are a great way to get context, but they also amplify rumors. Focus on a few sources that combine access with analysis:

• The official Star Wars Show (for Lucasfilm statements and trailers)
• Industry trades’ podcast episodes (Deadline and Variety often run accurate scoops)
• Fan‑curated analytical podcasts that cite sources — look for episode notes with links so you can verify claims.

4. Engage with communities for crowdsourced verification

• Reddit (r/StarWars) and major Discord servers often surface on‑set sightings and trade links; treat unverified claims as rumors until they cite a reputable outlet.
• Use social listening tools (TweetDeck/X lists, Mastodon filters) to follow journalists and Lucasfilm staff — prioritize direct official posts.

How podcasters and content creators can use this timeline

If you host a pop culture or space‑science podcast and want to include franchise coverage that feels authoritative, do the following:

• Use the certainty score in your episode notes. Tell listeners which projects are greenlit (7–10), developing (4–6), or on hold (1–3).
• Timestamped sourcing: When you discuss a project, link to the last concrete source (press release, trade report). This increases trust and makes episodes useful reference tools for listeners.
• Visual assets: Publish companion timeline images (downloadable PNG/ICS) in episode show notes. Visuals increase shares and save time for listeners who want quick reference.

Predictions and trends for the Filoni era (2026–2029)

Based on the leadership change and industry trends observed in late 2025 and early 2026, here are realistic predictions you can use to plan podcast series and coverage:

• Streaming first: Expect Lucasfilm to expand TV seasons and limited series that reinforce Filoni‑era continuity; these are easier to greenlight and amortize across Disney+. Podcasts that map episode‑to‑episode lore will find steady listeners.
• Fewer theatrical experiments in 2026: Big theatrical projects will need strategic justification for release windows, pushing some high‑concept films into 2028–2029 if greenlit.
• Consolidated canon: Filoni’s creative leadership likely means tighter canon stewardship across animation, live action, and games — good for transmedia episodes and cross‑format deep dives.
• Fan investment focus: Merchandise, events (Celebration, conventions), and limited edition drops will tie into streaming seasons more than one‑off films, so coverage should follow marketing calendars.

Sample episode plan for podcasters — 4‑part mini series

1. Episode 1: "Leadership & Strategy" — Explain Filoni/Brennan roles and what they mean for production priorities.
2. Episode 2: "Timeline Deep Dive" — Walk listeners through the interactive timeline and how to read certainty scores.
3. Episode 3: "Projects on Hold" — Case study of Mangold, Soderbergh, and why scripts with talent still stall.
4. Episode 4: "What Fans Should Track" — Actionable checklist, calendars, and how to get verified scoops without chasing rumors.

Maintaining credibility: verification checklist for hosts & writers

• Always cross‑check claims with at least two reputable sources for anything beyond an official Lucasfilm press release.
• Label speculation clearly. If you’re forecasting dates or greenlights, state the assumptions behind the forecast.
• Archive your sources in episode notes; include direct links and the date you last verified the item.

Resources and feeds to add to your timeline right now

• Official: StarWars.com press releases and the Lucasfilm newsroom
• Trades: Deadline, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter
• Podcasts: The Star Wars Show (official), industry trade podcasts, and well‑sourced fan shows with detailed show notes
• Communities: r/StarWars on Reddit, major public Discord hubs, and verified journalist social streams

What to watch for next (immediate signals that change the timeline)

• Official Lucasfilm press releases confirming greenlit production or release windows.
• Trade reports quoting insiders about production starts, cast attachments, or budget approvals.
• Regulatory filings or Disney investor communications that reference major theatrical slates or strategic pivots.

Final takeaways — practical steps you can do in 20 minutes

1. Create a one‑tab Google Sheet with the column set described above and add the projects listed in this article.
2. Subscribe to StarWars.com RSS and a trade outlet RSS in Feedly and create a keyword filter for "Dave Filoni" and three projects you care about.
3. Add an ICS calendar entry for "Major Lucasfilm Slate Review" every quarter to force a verification cadence for your timeline.

Call to action

If you want a ready‑made interactive timeline (Airtable + public ICS + downloadable PNG), subscribe to our newsletter at thegalaxy.pro — we’ll send a free, editable timeline template built from the Jan 2026 snapshot and weekly verification updates so you can stay ahead of announcements without the rumor noise. Follow the timeline, not the hype.

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