ABC and Lucasfilm in Talks for Future Star Wars TV Series!
This shouldn’t come as a surprise to any Star Wars fan. A Star Wars TV series is something that will happen sooner or later. During the Television Critics Association’s presentation, ABC’s network president Channing Dungey revealed that they had conversations with Lucasfilm about a possible future Star Wars TV series. Read on for the details…
As you know ABC is owned by Disney and a Star Wars TV series is something very realistic for the future, especially knowing that the idea for this exists for some time now. You probably remember the ambitious Star Wars: Underworld project produced by Rick McCallum which never saw the light of day, because it turned out to be too expensive for its time.
So are we finally closer to a new Star Wars TV series? ABC’s Channing Dungey said (via Variety):
“As a fan I would absolutely love to say yes,” Dungey said during her executive session at the Television Critics Association summer press tour. “We have had conversations with [Lucasfilm] and we will continue to have conversations with them. I think it would be wonderful if we could find a way to extend that brand onto our programming.”
After the panel, Dungey told a handful of reporters that as of now, there’s nothing official in the works in terms of a series. “It’s all a little bit hush-hush. That company exists under a big shroud of secrecy. If you feel Marvel is secretive, Lucas takes it to a whole other level,” she admitted. “[Talks] are ongoing. We don’t really have an official timeline yet.”
So as you see we’re still a long way to go from an actual development on this front, but it’s good to know that there are at least talks.
What kind of TV show do you want to see from Lucasfilm and ABC? Tell us in the comments below.
Founder of SWNN, MNN and The Cantina forums.
Born on April 24, 1980.
“Always Be Canceling”. Please put the Star Wars T.V. show on Netflix.
Sorry for the bad language, but… this:
I wouldn’t be surprised if ended up like Shield, Meh at first but then it got good from seaason 2 onward.
In fact, it seems like clone Wars and Rebels were the same way. It’s weird that some of the best TV shows can start out so mediocre.
I’d love to see them do it like American Horror Story, where each season is its own self-contained mini-series. It would be cool if they connected a season of the TV show to each Star Wars Anthology movie that was coming out that year. It seems we’ll have that type of TV/Movie connection in place this year as Rebels Season 3 will most likely have links to the characters and plot of Rogue One. They could come out with the first season in 2018, make it about bounty hunters and connect it to the Han Solo movie.
I totally agree. One season focusing on Rogue Squadron (or some other rebel squadron), one on Boba Fett or another bounty hunter, on one on Imperial officers… so many good ideas…
That’s a great idea. My main worry would be a show running out of steam and jumping the shark and something like that could probably sustain quality a lot longer.
Agreed.
I dunno. We all assume there’s going to be a connection from Rebels to Rogue One but Rebels has really become it’s own fantastic (fanciful, not extraordinary) Star Wars story unto itself which is going to make it difficult to connect to the canon proper other than the minute cameos that come and go.
Could just be a Saw Gerrera cameo. But there should be something. More the better IMO. And there is a basis for thinking it will happen. Simon Kingberg suggested they use Rebels to “feed into future movies.” http://io9.gizmodo.com/star-wars-rebels-season-3-could-link-to-future-movies-1783011224
I want to see a tv series to something like Twilight Company show both sides of the war
Star War show would be better suited for Netflix.
They’re really behind on this,I feel.TV is where it’s at at the moment,esp’ when it comes to depth and story. Personally,being an Original and an elder. I would love to see something from The Knights Of The Old Republic era with a Game Of Thrones feel.
I don’t want a Star Wars tv show on network tv. They should go where the good marvel tv shows are; Netflix.
100% agree
Netflix or nothing imo.
Just don’t tell us that Palpatine was really a good guy who was scarred by a failed romance. That was apparently the plot of Underworld, and if that is true, I am glad it never saw the light of day.
Where’d you get that from? That would be truly awful…like….Fan4Stick awful.
There was some discussion of it a month or so back. I believe it was a game designer who’d been involved with the 1313 project and had apparently seen the script treatments for the proposed TV show. He was raving about it but all the details sounded awful.
Yeah, I remember hearing that and it sounds TERRIBLE
Don’t believe every rumor you read. I know what you refer to that, but those scripts were not finished.
Yes, because it didn’t work for Vader. Amiright?
All the more reason not to duplicate it in Palpatine’s case.
The Old Republic off course!
Singlern05, I love the idea of an anthology series of one-season story arcs. The GFFA is such a vast place, and there are so many different kinds of tales to tell – not all of which need to interconnect. In fact, I think it would be really cool to see some stories that never connected at all to the ongoing SW stories that we all love.
It would seem to me that the best way to come up with something like this would be to take the GFFA in the years between ROTS and ANH and think, “Okay, how would the rise of the Empire have affected THIS guy?” Like, a shipping magnate who suddenly feels the squeeze as the Empire begins “nationalizing” trade. A musician dealing with ever-increasing restrictions on artistic expression. A doctor conscripted into Imperial service who has deserted and is now on the run. There are a million little individual personal dramas that could easily work as self-contained tales told over the course of 8-10 episodes.
(I also tend to dig the idea of doing it as a Netflix series, but I think network TV would make it more widely accessible.)
I would like gritty and hardocore TV show (-16 of course like Walkind Dead or Game of Thrones) with strong dialogs and charismatic characters. I want to see the Dark Side unleashed. The timeline ? i don’t really know. The Old Republic makes more sense in my opinion, where Jedis and Sith were plenty. If they do that they better have to not make a casual show.
On ABC? God no! Please no! I don’t need a Star Wars version of Agents of SHIELD or Agent Carter. Netflix or GTFO.
You are forgetting that Lucasfilm will be in charge
Yeah but Lucasfilm being in charge doesn’t change the extreme limitations of Network TV, not to mention the fact that Network TV isn’t good, like at all.
That’s simply a matter of opinion. Plenty of good shows have been on network TV, it’s the people in charge of them that make them good or bad. Something isn’t automatically better b/c it is on cable/netflix.
Name the top 5 shows on TV right now. It would be hard to find a network tv show on that list. The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, House of Cards, Daredevil, Homeland, what even compares to those shows. CSI Cyber? lol Plus if you want something of a darker tone, ABC isn’t the place for it.
First, anyone who names The Walking Dead as a top show has taste that greatly differs from mine.
Second, yeah, all of the best shows right now are on cable (The Americans, Game of Thrones, Better Call Saul, Veep, etc…)
But that doesn’t mean there are not good shows on network tv (either now or in the past) such as Hannibal (far better than The Walking Dead), The Good Wife, etc…
I agree with you: cable has better shows.
I also don’t think that means they are better just because they are on cable or that network tv can’t have great shows (Again, Hannibal WAS INCREDIBLE). So we agree in part, but I won’t panic just b/c a show is on ABC.
The Good Wife….? LOL. Are you a 45 year old suburban housewife?
No, I personally haven’t watched it because I don’t watch as much TV as I used to, but critics and people whose opinions I respect when it comes to these things say it is one of the best shows on TV.
But that’s a nice sexist, demeaning insult there. You like Star Wars so you must be a bearded 45 year old nerd living in your mother’s basement.
See how stupid that sounds? Grow up.
Except 45-year old housewives are EXACTLY the target demo for that show, so I guess the showrunners must be sexist and demeaning too.
The Walking dead does better numbers than Sunday night football most days. Say what you want about the quality of the show in the later seasons, the show is still insanely popular. Hense the example. The good wife ain’t pulling those numbers lol
No one is talking about popularity here except you.
Twilight made a ton of money at the box office. Doesn’t mean it is good.
Big Bang pulls in more numbers, if you need an example of network TV doing well, though that’s a separate issue entirely.
My only point is: just because it is on network TV doesn’t mean it can’t be good.
Bojack Horseman, Stranger Things, Master of None, Better Call Saul… and I guess Game of Thrones.
4/5 Netflix.
Hannibal. How the fuck was THAT a thing on network television, just for one example.
Yeah, still stunned they even allowed it on TV, let alone it turning out to be one of the best shows in years.
At this stage in the game, I’d take ABC just as long as it gets made.
Eh. I am not sure.
I’d rather have no Star Wars TV show than a bad Star Wars TV show.
Hey now, Agent Carter was good. I liked the first season much better than the second but still I really like that show. It was a nice continuation of the first Captain America film.
I thought Agent Carter was okay. Agents of SHIELD has been terrible aside from the back half of season 1 with the Hyrda twist. It’s always relied on the movies to move their plot along. I also didn’t think the Inhumans were that interesting.
It’s a vehicle to replace the X-Men with the inhumans.
Disney owns ABC.
This times a billion.
It would have to be something not high budget, so Knights of the Old republic era would be out.
Something set around a smuggler would be good.
Why ? Disney and Lucasfilm have infinite budget no ? Well, almost… 😛
Because you still have to make money. The show by itself must be profitable. You can’t pay for the show using money from other sources, like movies. That’s not how business works.
That’s why the Clone Wars was cancelled: the ratings were bad, the show was losing money and George was keeping it afloat with his own money. When he sold it, there was no billionaire to keep it going.
They don’t want to break the bank on a tv show if they can’t help it. That’s why Underworld was postponed: too expensive.
Yeah you are the voice of wisdom and reasonability. No offense but i still can hope until it’s an official NO. You have a valid point, but people knows TOR from MMO game, and what is Star Wars if not Good vs Evil, Jedis vs Siths (or whatever you call them) and lightsaber duels. You talk about Clone Wars but this show is more a cartoon (which i loved) than a real TV-serie. I am not sure you can take it for reference
Not everyone plays an MMO. And TOR does not have a Word of Warcraft-like pop culture presence in the minds of millions of Americans.
You can forget TOR, won’t happen as a TV show. Maybe a movie, and only when they’ve seen people lose interest in what they’re pushing now.
Can you rent me your crystal ball, please, dude ?
It’s called marketing. Look it up.
It’s called marketing.
Okay, i had understood the first time XD
Yeah, but you can’t rely on a fanbase alone to carry to a show. You have to have crossover appeal, so banking solely on TOR fans isn’t a viable strategy.
Clone Wars was a cartoon, but it was still a TV series that needed to make money. And it didn’t.
I know you can’t rely on a fanbase from a game. I was just saying people loving Star Wars knew about this game and the times of Old Republic. This game (even i never played this kind of stuff) had great promotion 2-3 years ago. Like someone said above, an TOR TV-show, with medieval and sci-fi with a GOT atmosphere would be glorious. WWith good costumes, props scenes and mattepaintings, you don’t need much CGI on every scene.
Last i keep thinking you don’t drive the same people with a cartoon show or a real TV-show. My brother loves Star Wars as much as me but when it comes to cartoon, he doesn’t give a s**t about that because he thinks it’s too kiddy. I haven’t crystal ball to tell it will works, but if they follow the GOT way, there are great chances.
Well, personally, I don’t think TOR should be made canon because I find it ridiculous that the technology level hasn’t changed in thousands of years. So I am very biased against the idea.
And yes, you will draw more adults with a live-action show, but the Marvel show hasn’t had blockbuster ratings either. You have to make it good and it has to earn money on its own. No one is interested in throwing away money on a TV show if they don’t think it will succeed.
I am agree that TOR game shouldn’t belongs to the official canon. Do you know the comic “The Dark Side : Dark Bane” ? For me this is the true Old Republic with a real medieval feeling. Before the Rule of Two, the comic follow the story of two brothers and one sister meeting or fighting Bane on the battlegrounds of Ruusan. The armies of Sith Lord Kaan against the First Jedis lead by the Grand master Hoth. That will make a great arc story in an Old Republic scheme 1000 years before Ep.1.
Then i am agree on the money allowed on this kind of show. So wait and see.
TCW was in no way being kept going by George Lucas’ money. It was one of Cartoon Network’s most popular shows, and was cancelled by Disney because they wanted to produce new content, not continue previous content. Besides, Disney couldn’t get full rights to TCW without paying CN money. It made no sense from a business point of view.
Um, yes, it was. Pablo Hidalgo said that once the show went darker, the ratings went down and the show was kept afloat by Lucas, who helped cover the losses. Once he was gone, Disney wasn’t going to do that.
It made sense from a business point of view to cancel it years before. Lucas enjoyed it as a personal project.
Your version is based on speculation and mine is based on the people who were there. I’m not making this up.
Okay, I believe you. Disney probably weren’t going to continue it anyway.
It’s possible they weren’t. I could easily see them not, but had it been a bigger success, it would have been a tougher decision, I’m sure.
Best case scenario: a live-action series set in the Old Republic, replete with strong characters, and huge ratings that rescues ABC.
Worst case scenario: Freemaker Adventures continue! With cameos from all your favorite OT characters!
Recasting Luke, Han and Leia for younger versions ? Worst case scrnario yes. Oh, wait…
I disagree that a best case scenario only consists of something set in the old republic.
Worst case scenario for me would be a network style procedural set in the Star Wars universe.
CSI: Otoh Gunga
NCIS: Coruscant.
Law & Order: Force Victims Unit
Rey’s Anatomy
Green-ish
Criminal Minds: Beyond the Rim
Bespin Nine-Nine
Alright, I’ll stop with my terrible puns.
Rey’s Anatomy would be interesting.
It already is!
Weekly murders of gungans? I have a feeling more people might be on board than you suspect 🙂
West Wing meets The Old Republic Senate?
I would like to see a TV series about Luke’s Jedi Order
Yes, me aswell. But i am not sure i want to see a recasted younger Luke. Maybe an animated serie for this timeline would match.
I would like to see an Episode film about Luke’s Jedi Order. Episode 7 showing something would have been nice, hopefully we’ll see something in Episode 8.
But yeah, a tv series would be amazing too
Unrelated- Notice Maz was interested in Finn and only Finn? Read the script. She wouldn’t leave him alone and made a big deal about having seen his eyes before. It isn’t until Finn is gone that Maz takes any notice to Rey AT ALL. So Luke’s lightsaber calls to her? Well, she gets NEAR it first. It shows her scenes she couldn’t have been there for (Bespin) which indicate the memory is stored in the device, which could indicate she has psychometry. Then she sees a memory that is possibly hers observed from another perspective, then one of Luke and R2, has a future vision, has an odd one about the Knights, and she hears two different Obi-Wans. And as mentioned previously she doesn’t use the lightsaber first. Finn does. So the lightsaber calling to her says nothing specifically “Skywalker” about her.
That’s interesting – I’d like to see them explore Fin a bit more. Who knows, maybe Finn’s parents were part of Luke’s order, and Finn is a jedi as well?
Maz’s lines about having seen Finn’s eyes before could just be that being so old, she has seen the same eyes in many people before, but who knows?
I still think the line “this lightsaber was Luke’s and his father’s before him, and now it is calling to you” was probably implying Rey is of Skywalker lineage. Otherwise, why not just say “this lightsaber has been used by many great jedi” etc?
That’s very nice to hear, would like to buy it for DVD.
Also, what a Star Wars Anime compilation like Batman and Halo?
DVD ?? It won’t be long before Bluray is replaced by 4K. Do yourself a favor and enjoy this new content in HD !
OK OK.
Also, your opinion on the possible Anime?
Maybe something w/ the REST of the rebels after Yavin. Maybe other groups/pockets searching for a new base. (A good reason to bring in more planets). And/or what was the empire doing? Or flip it between the 2 sides a couple episodes here and there. Something without the familiar core group so the series can last/stand on its own.
For me it can only be an Old Republic scenario or 1313 Underground like setting with cameos of bounty hunters. Has to be new characters. I also wouldn’t expect a scenario where huge special effects are needed. TV series just don’t have the time for extensive special effects in every episode. Look at GOT. Either way I’m definitely excited by this.
We are getting TV show on ABC same as Rogue One trailer 15 days ago?
No one knew if we were or were not definitely getting a trailer. It was a mislead on a TV guide.
I hope this does not happen…A show on “ABC” would be terrible…I am glad they are just in “talks”. Netflix is what needs to happen! and it would make more sense since Netflix has the rights to stream the movies now. A network TV live action show would be a joke…they would be crazy not to do a game of thrones styled Old Republic series on cable or streaming….like completely moronic crazy….for some reason when I think of a network tv styled Star wars show…I imagine a show as lame as Star Trek:Deep Space nine and Xena:warrior Princess…lmao
LMAO at you because Deep Space Nine is a much better show than half the things on netflix
Really? If I put together a Top 0 shows list, at least 7 of them are on Netflix right now. A Star Wars show on ABC would be utter shit. network Tv BLOWS.
Your opinion is meaningless to me.
Are you under the impression your opinion means anything to anyone either?
Netflix would be a great idea. Just look how well Stranger Things has been.
As long as it stays away from the OT period and all the “nostalgia”. I want something new
IMHO, abother Star Wars tv show is unnecessary. We already got yearly movies and two tv shows. Also, ABC’s shows are awful, Netflix would be a better choice.
Agreed! Netflix delivers, mmm
TV show about Kkruk and young Jedi on the run after Order 66. They can run out to the outer rim and not effect canon. The empire can send Sedriss to track them down, accompanied by an Inquisitor or two. Being in the Outer Rim you can also potentially use Thrawn(depending on Rebels events). Quinlon Vos can also show up. It’ll be a rugged show about Jedi being hunted in unknown space. Also show how the Empire hunted Jedi. third or fourth season have one of the Jedi turn to the Darkside. And for those who don’t know Kkruk survives and rejoins Luke Skywalker’s New Jedi Order. A lot of potential IMO.
Tha’s sounds really great !!
I hate the idea of a non-cable/non-Netflix environment for a Star Wars series. I have heavy faith in Kathleen Kennedy, but I’m concerned this decision may happen above her.
Isn’t abc cable?
By the way, it hosts or created some awesome series like f.e. LOST.
I am pretty sure, that would work out… Netflix would be great, too. But they host all Star Trek series incl. the new one in 2017, so I guess, it wouzldn’t happen…
No, the major networks (ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox) aren’t considered cable. Good cable channels that air quality original shows like AMC and FX can get away with edgier, more adult content than the networks, and they have a good track record with such fare. Premium channels like HBO and Showtime would also be great for the same reason, as well as having bigger budgets and more patience for development.
The move achieved it’s strategic purpose 1) To reintroduce the SW universe and 2) Create new loveable characters that will carry the crowds for decades to the cinemas. In that respect it is a glorious 10/10. However as a movie it is not perfect having some mistakes that are really nitpicking but still they make me go to 9/10. Phasma should have been more in there and Hux less for example. Maz was not the best thing to see, these are things that could have been done better. The main thing that bugged me (and this is still nitpickin btw) is that Luke Skywalker did not have one single line. I would have stuck with 9/10 but the fact that Luke didn’t say anything literary killed me in the last seconds. That is why i am going with a final 8/10. And it is solild guys, this was an awesome Star Wars movie all in all.
mmm… it looks like you posted on the wrong topic. XD
I don’t think a show’s quality is influenced so much by the channel it airs on, more by the people who work on it, in this case, LFL. I would like to see an Old republic tv show, or centered on the underworld, something like that, just not OT.
It is though. Shows are heavily influenced by the network that produce them, particularly if it’s a broadcast network like ABC, CBS, NBC or FOX.
The broadcast networks have three big things working against them.
1) They’re subject to FCC broadcast standards and regulations over things like violence, nudity and profanity that many cable channels and streaming networks aren’t.
2) They’re advertising supported, so to get the big $$$ from mainstream, family-centered brands like Target and Coke they have to water down and sanitize their shows to be careful not to offend Middle America.
3) The broadcast networks know they can get 10 million people per week to watch any stupid comedy about nerdy kids, and it’s much cheaper to film an entire show in one room on a studio lot than it is to build expensive sets, costumes and use tons of CGI for a sci-fi show.
There are real reasons why the broadcast channels can’t seem to get good sci-fi right.
I could go for something on a par with Man in the high castle, band of brothers etc.
Get this man in an Imperial Uniform and don’t change a thing about his acting and you’ll have one helluva story!
Let them make a tv show like the trailers from kotor. Lots of Sith and Jedi. Instead of thousand battle droids, thousand Siths and Jedis.
Yes and Dark Bane, pleese.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$
You’re spot on. Too expensive for live-action TV.
I don’t know… Game of Thrones has pulled off some pretty impressive large-scale scenes. It is possible if the audience is big enough.
Game of Thrones has a pretty big budget though. It’s one of the most expensive TV shows.
If not a TOR TV-show, maybe a serie on the purge of the last Jedis featuring Dark Vader HIMSELF !! Hmm ? Hmm ? Guys ? No one ?
If they do make a live action TV series, I think it would be best if it were to focus on new stories unrelated to existing characters. look forward to it though.
For Star Wars to be a successful television series it needs between 9-13 episodes a season to make the most out of its budget. This type of series belongs on Netflix.
Considering my experience with Marvel TV, the Netflix shows are much better. Than the ABC shows. Also, I don’t want any more OT era stuff either. This stupid ban on all thing PT is a very bad move.
The more I think about it, the more difficult the PT era is to deal with.
You’d have to re-cast clones lest be stuck with CGI costs of replicating Temura Morrison. You’d have to recast Boba Fett. You’d have to recast Obi-Wan and Anakin. Even an organized crime plot would run into Clones and Republic Forces and/or Jedi – really the only premise you could use. Perhaps produce a Dark Disciple-type story – but you’d still re-cast Dooku.
The problem with Christopher Lee is the guy passed out. RIP… It’s not the case of Hayden, Ewan and Temura. The kid playing young Bobba can be recast without harming the canon too much IMO. We ve already seen AA actors like S L Jackson or Sean Bean making appearance in TV series. Why not in a future SW TV series sci-fi thriller style based on Coruscant ?
Good points but they wouldn’t necessarily need to use main characters. They could also use Dee Bradley Baker’s voice for the Clones. My point is that they should expand their boundaries from OT and not stuff all of their new content into one time period.
Same.
I’d like to see completely new characters, non jedi underground resistance types set in the OT era. It’s a big galaxy after all. Something with the feel of the Galactica reboot, but with a better story arc 😛
Dammit, I was with you right to the end there (ha – IRONY!). I actually LIKE the last season.
Three words:::: Star Wars Babies!!!
They should make a serie involving Asajj Ventress. This character deserves better than only comics and cartoons.
I want to see the adventures of Jar Jar Binks as he founds the Rebel Alliance!
Netflix please. Make a compelling, self-contained story and secure a huge budget. We saw how Stranger Things, House of Cards, Orange is the New Black, Voltron, the Seven Deadly Sins have all been very well recieved. Take that formula, maximize the effectiveness and budget, and you control the entire small screen audience in one, quick swoop.
The problem is Netflix shows don’t have ‘big budgets’. AOS has a bigger budget than the Netflix shows. Why do you think there isn’t much CGI?
But that hasn’t really been a problem at all for the Netflix shows. They’ve accomplished more with less than ABC has with AOS.
The difference is creative freedom. Netflix has entrusted the creators of their shows with more freedom than ABC or any broadcast TV network ever does, partly because of broadcast standards and regulations that Netflix isn’t subject to.
His point is more to the fact that there’s no requirement for CGI or big soundstages for Daredevil and the rest. They filmed them for cheap.
SW will likely require extensive set building and some CGI.
Perhaps, but The Get Down from Netflix cost $120 million to make. Netflix can fork the big money these days.
am I the only one who has a bad feeling about this? TV show in general I mean. I don’t share the optimistic approach that it would be awesome to have a Game of Thrones style TV series, because that’s the best case scenario. The realistic point of view would be that they finally overstretched it and it will be a lame Agents of Shields-like gobbledygook (see what I did there?) that will be cancelled after 2 seasons. Also see “Enterprise”. Not everything works just because there’s a big name behind it and they milking the cow dry right now. This can’t go on forever.
So they’ve finally got an outlet for the 1313 storyline as well as the prematurely canned Clone Wars episodes and the previously penned Underground episode. Awesome!
Bit yeah, and TOR series would be amazing, particularly if it went so far back that it covered the origins of the Jedi. 😀 Can’t wait!
I want the story of a young Sith Lord on Moraband in the age of the Old Republic. Make season 1 his/her trials and ascencion to Sith and seasons 2 to 6 about his adventures. Use the money from the first season to increase buget for the next ones. So simple. Use SWTOR’s Sith storyline as the base for the storytelling there is so much gold there.
The Dilution Begins…