Well, the year has to come to a close on Star Wars. 2018 was a tumultuous year for the franchise. Backlash over The Last Jedi continued as fans voiced their displeasure over Rian Johnson’s take on Star Wars. Solo: A Star Wars Story had an undeservedly poor box office showing thanks in part to that backlash and to the film’s gross mismanagement. Star Wars Resistance debuted to a lukewarm reception, and even that had its own controversy. It’s time to put all that behind us and look forward to Star Wars in 2019.
Star Wars in 2019 will be shaped by three major events. Here they are, in no particular order.
Live Action Star Wars Series in 2019
Fans like me have wanted and waited for a live-action Star Wars series since the credits rolled on Return of the Jedi in 1983. Star Wars in 2019 will finally bring us the live-action serial adventure we’ve desired in The Mandalorian. Talented producer Jon Favreau takes us to the Outer Rim where we’ll follow the tales of a lone gunfighter in the years following ROTJ. Pedro Pascal leads a star-studded cast in what is sure to be a gripping and gritty series. It will debut on Disney’s streaming service, Disney+, in late 2019.
As much as we were already excited for this live-action series…. Disney and Lucasfilm also announced a Cassian Andor spy action spinoff thriller series, as well. Diego Luna will reprise his Rogue One role as the rebel spy. If the series is any bit as compelling as Rogue One, this is sure to be well received.
The Clone Wars Returns
Dave Filoni announced way back in July that The Clone Wars would return for a seventh and final season. The show was cancelled (some say because it was to “graphic”) to make way for Star Wars Rebels. It’s back literally by popular demand and will also air on Disney+.
Ahsoka Tano returns, together with Anakin, Obi-Wan and Captain Rex to bridge the final gap between Star Wars: Episodes II and III. For many, this may be the most exciting thing to happen in Star Wars in 2019.
And, Of Course… Episode IX
The much anticipated end to the Skywalker Saga arrives in December to close out Star Wars in 2019. Star Wars Episode IX will be monumental for a myriad of reasons. Many fans (like me) feel that the franchise needs a course-correction, and that JJ Abrams is the man to make it. The Last Jedi left us with many unanswered questions, not the least of which is how Leia’s fate will be resolved. With new, previously unseen Carrie Fisher footage, it seems we’ll find out.
Likewise, we wonder what kind of foundation Episode IX will lay down for the Star Wars in 2019. Are characters like Rey, Finn and Poe simply vehicles to bring the Skywalker saga to its final rest? Or will they conversely spearhead a new generation of Star Wars heroes, films, and stories?
Star Wars in 2019 is shaping up to be exciting, indeed. Happy New Year, all. We’ll be right back it after the holiday to continue bringing you all your Star Wars news, rumors and insight in 2019!
