The Mouse House has made significant changes to its movie release calendar, removing an upcoming 'Star Wars' film and scheduling the return of a beloved animated series.
- November 16, 2024
AceShowbiz - In a surprising move, Disney has removed an untitled "Star Wars" film previously scheduled for December 18, 2026, from its release calendar. Replacing its spot is "Ice Age 6," an unexpected but exciting addition that promises to bring nostalgia and joy to fans of all ages.
The untitled "Star Wars" project, which had sparked much speculation and excitement among fans, was set to follow Daisy Ridley's Rey after the events of 2019's "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker." While it was never confirmed exactly what this project would be, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy had been announced as the director. The film had a tumultuous pre-production phase, losing screenwriter Steven Knight earlier this year after Damon Lindelof and Justin Britt-Gibson also departed the project.
Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy revealed last year at "Star Wars Celebration" that Ridley's new film would follow Rey as she builds a new Jedi Order, but it appears the project has now fallen into the category of potential "Star Wars" entries that ended before they began.
Previous announced projects from big names like director Patty Jenkins, Marvel producer Kevin Feige, "The Last Jedi" director Rian Johnson, and "Game of Thrones" creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss also never came to fruition.
Despite this setback, the galaxy far, far away is not going silent. The next "Star Wars" movie, "The Mandalorian and Grogu" from director Jon Favreau, is scheduled to premiere in May 2026, providing fans with a much-anticipated continuation of the beloved TV series. Another untitled "Star Wars" film remains on the schedule for December 17, 2027.
Elsewhere in the Disney empire, Lucasfilm recently announced that "X-Men" alum Simon Kinberg would write and produce a new trilogy with Kennedy. Simultaneously, Disney and 20th Century Animation have confirmed that "Ice Age 6" is in production, with series stars Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Queen Latifah, Denis Leary, and Simon Pegg returning to lend their voices to the film.
The shift in Disney's release schedule highlights the company's ongoing efforts to balance its diverse portfolio of franchises and keep audiences engaged. While some fans may be disappointed by the shelving of yet another ambitious "Star Wars" project, the return of the "Ice Age" gang is sure to bring a smile to many faces. Stay tuned for more updates as these projects develop!
