Rogue Squadron's New Flight Path: From Big Screen to Disney+ Series?

Hold onto your helmets, Star Wars fans! The long-delayed Rogue Squadron movie, originally envisioned for theaters, is now reportedly being reimagined as an epic TV series for Disney+.

TL;DR: The Short-Version Buzz You Need to Know

• Industry whispers, backed by insider MyTimeToShineHello, suggest Rogue Squadron is transitioning from a feature film to a Disney+ TV series.
• Director Patty Jenkins, who was set to helm the film, has resumed work on a Star Wars draft, though her specific role in a potential series is still up in the air.
• Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy previously hinted at a flexible format, confirming the project is still in "active discussion," but no official format change has been announced yet.

Star Wars projects have a knack for keeping us on our toes, and few have had a more turbulent journey than Rogue Squadron. What started as an electrifying cinematic announcement in 2020 now looks like it might be strapping in for a different kind of adventure: a high-speed journey to your living room via Disney+.

The Initial Hyperspace Jump: A Film Announcement That Stirred the Galaxy

Back in December 2020, Lucasfilm dropped a bombshell that sent shivers of excitement through the fanbase. They announced Rogue Squadron, a brand-new theatrical film, with none other than Patty Jenkins, fresh off her success with Wonder Woman, at the helm. The reveal featured an awesome promo video showing Jenkins walking across an airstrip before confidently climbing into a life-sized X-wing. Talk about setting the mood!

Jenkins herself framed it as a deeply personal passion project, drawing inspiration from her father’s career as a fighter pilot. The vision? An adrenaline-charged saga centered on a new generation of elite starfighter pilots, ready to earn their wings and risk their lives in boundary-pushing, high-speed thrill-rides. It promised to move the saga into the future era of the galaxy, potentially set after the sequel trilogy, and fans were beyond hyped for a fresh take on classic space combat.

Navigating a Kessel Run of Delays and Uncertainty

Unfortunately, the initial momentum for Rogue Squadron soon stalled, much like a starship caught in an asteroid field. By November 2021, Lucasfilm cited scheduling conflicts as the reason for postponing production. Jenkins, who also had commitments to Wonder Woman 3 and a planned Cleopatra film (both of which later faced their own delays), had to pivot her focus.

The project was eventually removed from Disney’s release slate altogether in 2022, leading many to believe it was effectively grounded or even scrapped. Reports in early 2023 seemed to confirm the project was "dead in the waters of Dagobah." For a while, it felt like Rogue Squadron had vanished into hyperspace, a forgotten dream among the myriad Star Wars possibilities.

A Resurgence and a Potential New Flight Plan for the Project

But like a phoenix from the ashes – or perhaps, a starfighter from a junkyard – Rogue Squadron resurfaced. Jenkins reaffirmed her commitment, returning to the project in March 2024 after her prior obligations (like Wonder Woman 3) wrapped up. While still without a firm release date, the project was back in "active development."

This brings us to the latest buzz. According to industry insider MyTimeToShineHello, the big news is that Rogue Squadron is now being developed as a TV series. This isn't entirely out of left field. Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy has previously hinted at this possibility. Back in April 2023, she told IGN:

"Rogue Squadron, that definitely is something that we still talk about. Whether it’s a movie or whether it ends up being in the series space, that’s definitely something."

— Kathleen Kennedy, President of Lucasfilm

Kennedy's comments make it clear that while discussions are active, Lucasfilm has been open to different formats, and there's still no official word from the studio confirming the change to a series. However, the insider reports align with the studio's increasing focus on streaming content.

Patty Jenkins' Evolving Involvement in This Star Wars Story

The shift to a series naturally brings up questions about Patty Jenkins' role. She's been a steadfast advocate for the project, and as she explained in March, she's very much still involved:

"So, when I left Star Wars to do Wonder Woman 3, I thought maybe I’ll come back to Star Wars after Wonder Woman 3. So we did a deal for that to happen, started a deal, but I thought I was doing Wonder Woman. When that went away, Lucasfilm and I were like, ‘Oh, we gotta finish this deal.’ We finished the deal right as the strike was happening."

"So I now owe a draft of Star Wars, and so we will see what happens there. You know, like, who knows? It’s hard, they have a hard job in front of them, of what’s the first movie they’re gonna do. They have other directors who have been working, but I am now, you know, I’m back on doing Rogue Squadron, and we’ll see what happens. We need to develop, you know, get it to where we’re both super happy with it."

— Patty Jenkins, Director

So, Jenkins is definitely working on a draft for "Star Wars," and she's "back on doing Rogue Squadron." What's less clear is how her vision for a feature film would translate to an episodic series, and what level of creative control she would retain in that new format. Still, her commitment to the story of ace pilots remains strong, which is great news for fans.

What a Rogue Squadron Series Could Mean for the Star Wars Universe

If these rumors hold true, a Rogue Squadron TV series would be a significant move. Lucasfilm has truly embraced the small screen, revitalizing the franchise with impactful storytelling through shows like The Mandalorian, Ahsoka, and Andor. Adding Rogue Squadron to this lineup could offer some exciting new possibilities:

• Broader Scope and Deeper Characters: An episodic structure could give writers the room to truly develop a squadron of pilots. We could see them earn their wings, face dangerous missions, and explore their individual journeys and camaraderie in a way a single film might struggle to achieve.
• Narrative Bridging: A series could potentially bridge narratives between the original and sequel trilogies, or even link up with other ongoing Star Wars shows. It's believed that Rogue Squadron could be set after the sequels and might even serve as a companion piece to the upcoming Star Wars: Starfighter, which Shawn Levy is developing.
• Filling a Niche: While Disney+ already has hits like Ahsoka (which has a confirmed Season 2), it currently lacks a series squarely focused on classic, high-stakes space combat. Rogue Squadron could bring that beloved "ace pilot" energy back to the franchise in a big way.

After years of development stops and starts, fans are understandably cautious. Rogue Squadron has definitely had one of the rockiest journeys of any Star Wars project since Disney acquired Lucasfilm. But if this latest report is accurate, it seems the project might finally have found its new flight plan.

For now, the project remains in flux, but the prospect of fresh tales of courage, camaraderie, and epic dogfights with ace pilots is an enticing one for any Star Wars fan. We'll be keeping our eyes peeled for official announcements from Lucasfilm. Until then, the buzz continues to grow!

Frequently Asked Questions About the Future of Rogue Squadron Is Star Wars: Rogue Squadron officially a TV series? Not officially confirmed yet by Lucasfilm. Industry insider reports suggest it's being redeveloped as a TV series for Disney+, and Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy has indicated they are considering both film and series formats. Who is the director for Rogue Squadron? Patty Jenkins (known for Wonder Woman) was originally announced as the director for the feature film. She has confirmed she is back working on a Star Wars draft for the project, but her exact creative control or role in a potential TV series format is still unknown. What is Rogue Squadron about? The project aims to introduce a new generation of starfighter pilots as they earn their wings and risk their lives in high-speed, boundary-pushing adventures. It's expected to deliver a lot of classic Star Wars space combat action. When can we expect Rogue Squadron to be released? There is currently no release date for Rogue Squadron, whether as a film or a series. Given its long development history and the rumored format change, it's likely still some time away.

Sources:

• Lucasfilm Reportedly Taking ROGUE SQUADRON Back to the Drawing Board as a Disney+ Series (ComicBookMovie.com)
• Lucasfilm Reportedly Taking ROGUE SQUADRON Back to the Drawing Board as a Disney+ Series (GeekTyrant)
• Lucasfilm Rumored to Be Repackaging Long-Delayed Star Wars Project for Streaming (Murphy's Multiverse)
• Lucasfilm Revives Rogue Squadron as a Disney Plus Series Fans Hope (TMB)
• A forgotten Star Wars film could soon be reborn as a series (Cinema by Quentin Couprie)