Kathleen Kennedy Confirms Star Wars' Next Era Will Focus on Individual Stories

During a recent screening of the original 1977 Star Wars print in London, Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy revealed a major shift in the franchise’s creative direction: the studio is moving away from traditional trilogies in favor of more standalone stories. Speaking to attendees at the event, Kennedy emphasized that the new approach will allow for a broader range of voices and narratives, unbound by the need to tightly connect with existing canon.

"I really think that now we’re in a position where it’s broadened the possibility of stories and filmmakers we can bring in," Kennedy said. "It doesn’t necessarily have to connect to every little thing that’s been done in Star Wars; it can actually be a standalone story that then builds into many, many other stories.”

This marks a notable change from the long-standing Star Wars tradition of structuring its storytelling around trilogies. After the mixed reception of The Rise of Skywalker, Lucasfilm appears to be pivoting toward more flexible, creator-driven projects that can introduce fresh characters, worlds, and ideas without being confined to legacy arcs or predetermined narrative frameworks.

Kennedy’s comments suggest that the franchise is embracing the kind of expansive, interconnected—but not rigidly linear—storytelling that has worked well in other media formats like streaming and comics. Standalone stories could later inspire spin-offs or shared-universe elements, but they won’t be burdened by the expectation of building toward a trilogy structure.

In addition to this creative update, Kennedy confirmed she will remain in London as production begins on Star Wars: Starfighter, which is set to start filming in September. She teased the project as “pretty big,” hinting at an ambitious new cinematic chapter for the franchise.

Meanwhile, the next major Star Wars film, The Mandalorian and Grogu, is still slated for release on May 22, 2026. A teaser trailer was unveiled during Star Wars Celebration in Japan, but it has not yet been officially released online.

Together, these announcements paint a picture of a bold new era for Star Wars—one that prioritizes creative freedom, fresh perspectives, and more varied storytelling approaches.