Yet another exciting filmmaker is joining theStar Warsuniverse.Lucasfilmannounced today thatIron ManandThe Jungle BookdirectorJon Favreauhas signed on to executive produce and write a new live-actionStar WarsTV series for Disney’s new streaming service, which for now they’re billing as a “direct-to-consumer platform” for lack of an official title. We knew the live-action TV series was coming, as it was announced asone of the pillars of Disney’s streaming service—which is set to launch in 2019—but today’s announcement basically confirms it’s moving forward full-speed ahead and will be one of the first shows available when the streaming service launches.
Lucasfilm presidentKathleen Kennedypraised Favreau’s talent andStar Warsfandom in a statement that also suggests the studio will be looking to staff up a diverse/representative team on the series (a smart move considering all the creative heads for newStar Warsmovies thus far have been white dudes):
“I couldn’t be more excited about Jon coming on board to produce and write for the new direct-to-consumer platform. Jon brings the perfect mix of producing and writing talent, combined with a fluency in theStar Warsuniverse. This series will allow Jon the chance to work with a diverse group of writers and directors and give Lucasfilm the opportunity to build a robust talent base.”
Favreau made his name first as an actor, but broke onto the indie scene as the writer/co-star of 1996’sSwingers. As a director, he went on to craft a Christmas classic withElfand proved he could handle a budget withZathura, but Favreau’s career moved forward in a big way with 2008’sIron Man. The filmmaker navigated an unorthodox production process with tons of improvisation to launch the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and while he departed the MCU on so-so terms after kerfuffles onIron Man 2, all’s well that ends well as he’s reprised his role as Happy Hogan in subsequent Marvel films and maintains an executive producer credit on allAvengersmovies. Indeed, he andKevin Feigehatched the idea to introduce Nick Fury at the end ofIron Manthat started this whole shebang.
After a refreshing return to smaller fare withChef, Favreau entered the Disney fold with the cutting-edge live-action redoThe Jungle Book, which was a massive box office hit. That film led to Favreau’s next job, directing the upcoming live-actionThe Lion King, but it now sounds like he’s addingStar Warsto his repertoire, which I think makes him the first director to helm three different movies in three of the four major arms of Disney: Marvel, Lucasfilm, and Disney proper. Now all he needs is a Pixar movie for the full set.
The untitled live-actionStar WarsTV series doesn’t have a release date or plot details, but Favreau lobbiedhardto land theForce Awakensdirecting gig that went toJ.J. Abrams, so the filmmaker is no doubt thrilled to finally get the chance to play in a galaxy far, far away. It’ll be interesting to see where this show goes, and how much Disney is willing to spend on it compared to the feature film side of things.
Speaking of which, the future of theStar Warscinematic universe is starting to take shape. Abrams directs the trilogy-concludingStar Wars: Episode IXfor a December 2019 release, but after that Lucasfilm has tappedRian Johnsonto spearhead a new trilogy of films separate from the Skywalker saga andGame of ThronesshowrunnersDavid BenioffandD.B Weissare creating a new series of films that are also separate from the proper episodic series. The galaxy is expanding folks. Get ready.
