A Complete Unknowndirector James Mangold is reuniting with Timothée Chalamet on a new motorcross heist movie, High Side, and that’s bad news forStar Wars. Chalamet and Mangold have a celebrated history, and they’re apparently teaming up for a new film based on an unpublished short story by Jaime Oliveira.
Chalamet and Mangold’s reunion doesn’t quite seem to be a done deal just yet, withDeadlinereporting it only as a “potential reteam” for the pair. Assuming it does indeed happen, though, it could cause quite a few problems for oneupcomingStar Warsmovie.
It’s Been Two Years Since James Mangold’s Star Wars Prequel Was Confirmed
James Mangold enjoyed working with Lucasfilm onIndiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, and he pitched aStar Warsmovie to Lucasfilm boss Kathleen Kennedy. Set during the “Dawn of the Jedi” era, this would essentially be an origin story for the Force, set 25,000 years before the Skywalker saga.It was officially announced at Star Wars Celebration 2023.
“Dawn of the Jedi” was one of three movies announced there, alongsideSharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s “New Jedi Order” and aMandalorian-era movie by Dave Filoni. Two years later, there’s been no real progress on any of those three titles. Lucasfilm’s plans changed completely; Jon Favreau’sThe Mandalorian and Groguwill now come out next year, followed by Shawn Levy’sStarfighterin 2027.
Progress on Mangold’s ultimate prequel movie is clearly going slow. He’s confirmed to be working on the script with Beau Wilimon (one of theAndorscreenwriters), but he doesn’t exactly seem to be in a hurry.
Mangold’s Star Wars Prequel Could Be Delayed Even Further
Six months ago, Lucasfilm bossKathleen Kennedy discussed the future ofStar Warsin detail. “We’re going to develop lots of different things with an understanding that not everything gets made,“Kennedy confirmed, explaining why so manyStar Warsmovies seem to get canceled.
Lucasfilm has clearly done a major course-correction since Star Wars Celebration 2023, and it’s entirely possible Mangold’s “Dawn of the Jedi” movie is no longer really a corporate priority. Indeed, that may well explain why Mangold himself is beginning to move on to other things, such as this reunion with Timothée Chalamet in the first place; because he’s done waiting around.
If that’s the case, then one more upcomingStar Warsmovie could well ultimately be pushed back still further - or perhaps even canceled. Only time will tell whether Mangold’s movie happens in the end.
