The ongoing writers and actors strike, led by the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and SAG-AFTRA continues to adversely affect several projects in Hollywood. But it seems like this protest is also looming a storm of uncertainty over the blockbuster Star Wars franchise. Now as per recent reports many projects of the franchise including Dave Filoni’s much-anticipated theatrical film, might be imperiled due to the ongoing strikes.
The Ongoing Hollywood Strikes Brought Uncertainties To Dave Filoni’s Star Wars Film
On May 2, 2023, the Writers Guild of America initiated a colossal strike, halting the pens behind Hollywood’s blockbusters. The writer’s protest was soon accompanied by the SAG-AFTRA, actors union, who also raised their voices against the ongoing labor dispute with AMPTP. These strikes halted the production of Hollywood, jeopardizing several projects including the Star Wars franchise as well.
As per the recent revelations by Jason Ward, Dave Filoni’s much-awaited Star Wars theatrical film is in turmoil. The current ongoing strikes are preventing the filmmaker from meeting the prerequisites for his theatrical release. Ward further shared that the story of the fourth season of The Mandalorian may be used to create two theatrical films led by Filoni.
“Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni will not be able to make two seasons of Disney+ shows that are prerequisites for Dave Filoni’s Star Wars theatrical film. A question being floated is if they can take the main story of Star Wars: The Mandalorian‘s fourth season and edit those scripts into a film that will release after the Rey film. This would effectively give Filoni two theatrical Star Wars films produced by Jon Favreau. We would lose the fourth season of The Mandalorian on Disney+ for now, but we would instead experience that story as a theatrical film that would lead into Dave Filoni’s original film concept a year or so later.”
Disney Shifts Its Focus To Theatres For The Upcoming Releases Of Star Wars Films
Jason Ward further added that several projects of the blockbuster franchise including Mando 4, and Ahsoka 2 are surrounded by uncertainties because of the present actors and writers’ strikes. It is also reported that Disney is shifting its focus to theaters for Star Wars releases, deviating from its previous Disney+-centric approach.
“As the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes continue, the chances of Mando 4, Ahsoka 2, and the untitled Filoni film all being written and filmed on time are looking less possible by the moment. Without a Christmas miracle, it isn’t that likely unless they let the quality take a nosedive or take lots of amphetamines. Disney is prioritizing theatrical releases for Star Wars over Disney+ at the moment (a sharp policy change over the last few years). If the WGA strike lasts into 2024, which right now seems likely, this plan could come to fruition and seems to be the leading preference on the table.”
WGA and SAG-AFTRA strike appear like the Star Wars franchise has been hit pretty hard by the ongoing strikes of WGA and SAG-AFTRA. It is surely to be seen what steps will be undertaken by the makers of Stars Wars to safeguard the multi-billion franchise.
Source: Making Star Wars
