Lucasfilm currently has at least eight Star Wars movies in development. Several of these are set in the New Republic era, with projects helmed by Jon Favreau (The Mandalorian and Grogu), Dave Filoni (Heir to the Empire), and Patty Jenkins (Rogue Squadron). Other films include Lando and projects directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, Shawn Levy, Simon Kinberg, James Mangold (Dawn of the Jedi), and Taika Waititi. Notably, the films by Obaid-Chinoy, Levy, and Kinberg reportedly take place after Episode IX, which could potentially form a threequel trilogy.
Kinberg could oversee this hypothetical trilogy, with Obaid-Chinoy directing the first installment. Despite reportedly expressing interest in portraying an older version of Rey, it has since been confirmed Levy's movie will stand-alone and will instead focus on Ryan Gosling in a new story. Regardless, Obaid-Chinoy's movie and Kinberg's trilogy could be combined into what can be called the second half of Volume II of the Skywalker Saga, exploring some of the accidental narrative threads left by the sequel trilogy. Episode I-VI could then be dubbed Volume I, as that is Anakin's story.
A new hero
The new trilogy could draw inspiration from George Lucas’s original sequel trilogy plans, which centered on a new hero named Kira, Luke rebuilding the Jedi Order, and Leia establishing the New Republic. In this updated version, Rey and Poe could take over Luke and Leia’s roles. Finn could serve as Grandmaster, as he knows what it's like to need a place to belong and can offer the same to others. Lucas’s outline also featured Darth Maul as the main antagonist. With that story being explored in Maul: Shadow Lord, Darth Krayt can replace Maul as antagonist for the new trilogy.
Rey’s journey, in particular, could focus on her struggle with abandonment. In the sequel trilogy, Rey formed connections with Han, Luke, and Leia, only for each parent-figure to shift their focus to Ben Solo. Similar to how Anakin had an arc overcoming his parent-figure issues, the same can be done with Rey. Rey’s arc could begin with her and Ben having a child named Kira, born from Ben’s life-force transfer just like how Anakin was born of the Force. Struggling with abandonment herself, Rey must learn to be the parent she never had to ensure Kira doesn’t fall to the Dark Side.
One with the Force
The sequel trilogy introduced the Force Dyad concept, which fits with existing ideas like the Force Monad (the Chosen One) and the Force Triad. This trilogy can have Anakin explain he became the new Father, and when Ben grew in the Dark Side, he corrected this by putting Rey into the Light Side of the Triad, resulting in her natural affinity with the Force. However, Ben’s return to the Light in Episode IX disrupted this balance, leading to Rey losing her Force affinity. This would send Rey on a quest to restore her connection to the Force, which plays into her initial abandonment of Kira.
The Rise of Skywalker also introduced the Sith Eternal, who worshipped Palpatine as if he were the only true Sith. This is similar to the Rule of One, where devotees served one Dark Lord. In Legends this was Darth Krayt. As mentioned before, Darth Krayt could take Maul’s place from Lucas’s original plans, leading an underworld empire that opposes a new Galactic Alliance. Unlike the demilitarized New Republic, the Galactic Alliance would remain armed, having learned from the Rebellion and the First Order that even a small force can topple galaxy-wide governments.
The rest of the Star Wars saga
However, Disney still needs to schedule their announced movies. The Mandalorian & Grogu is currently set for May 22, 2026, but it may shift to avoid clashing with Disney's own Avengers: Doomsday. In the past, Disney released Star Wars movies in December, a trend that could continue to sidestep Marvel in May. It would only have to navigate around Avatar releases, but that can be done by releasing Lando and Rogue Squadron as tv movies. Lando was originally a tv project, while Kathleen Kennedy already confirmed Roque Squadron has been discussed as a tv project.
Either way, Mandalorian & Grogu is expected to arrive first, followed by Ahsoka. Levy's movie is also confirmed to be his next movie and the next Star Wars movie to go into production. Considering the relative availability of the other directors involved, a possible release slate could thus look like: Mandalorian & Grogu in 2026, Levy's Starfighter in 2027, Avatar 4 and Lando in 2028, Ahsoka follow-up Heir to the Empire in 2029, Obaid-Chinoy's New Jedi Order in 2030, Avatar 5 and Rogue Squadron in 2031, Dawn of the Jedi in 2032 and finally Waititi's movie in 2033.