It's only May, and Star Wars fans are already gearing up for their second major project of the year: The Mandalorian and Grogu, which blasts into theaters worldwide on May 22. The first Star Wars offering of 2025, the animated series Maul – Shadow Lord, just wrapped its debut season on Disney+, but a Season 2 renewal is already confirmed. The show was written and created by Dave Filoni, who also stepped into the role of Lucasfilm President after Kathleen Kennedy's departure late last year. With other projects like Starfighter (starring Ryan Gosling) and Ahsoka Season 2 (featuring Rosario Dawson) on the horizon, fans are eager to see how Filoni's leadership will shape the galaxy far, far away.
In an exclusive interview with Collider, Filoni sat down with The Mandalorian and Grogu writer/director Jon Favreau to discuss the franchise's trajectory. When asked about his plans for the number of shows or movies per year and the broader future of Star Wars, Filoni emphasized a story-first approach. "For me right now, rather than dealing with hard numbers like that, I'm just looking at the stories and the potential and planning what I'd like to do," he explained. "I believe in having an overarching idea and then saying, 'Okay, it's this many of that, and then we can have that.' There are certain things that have been in motion already that, obviously, I want to continue."
Filoni Stays Hands-On with Creative Projects
Despite his elevated role as Lucasfilm President, Filoni has no intention of stepping back from the creative side. He plans to continue writing and producing shows like Maul – Shadow Lord and Ahsoka, while overseeing other projects such as Starfighter. "There's a lot on my plate which is exciting, not just in live-action but animation, like Maul, which has been very fun, and they're driving forward," he said. Voice actor Sam Witwer recently confirmed that work on Maul – Shadow Lord Season 2 has been underway for some time. Filoni also shared updates on Ahsoka Season 2, which is now expected to arrive in late 2026 rather than early 2027. "Shawn Levy did a great job with Starfighter," Filoni added, noting the film's star-studded cast including Aaron Pierre, Amy Adams, Mia Goth, and Matt Smith.
Filoni also highlighted the upcoming re-release of Episode IV: A New Hope, calling it part of "so much exciting stuff coming for Star Wars fans." He reassured audiences that his 20-year track record with the franchise—having created the beloved Ahsoka Tano character and worked on series like Rebels, The Clone Wars, Tales of the Jedi, The Mandalorian, The Bad Batch, and more—should give them confidence. "I think they have a good idea of what to expect," he said. "I've so far really enjoyed collaborating with everybody, and we are well on our way. The future's in motion now, so it's exciting."
For fans eager to see what's next, The Mandalorian and Grogu hits theaters on May 22. In the meantime, check out our Exclusive Sneak Peek: 'Marshals' Season 1 Episode 12 Puts Kayce Dutton in Grave Danger for more entertainment news. And for a look at another thrilling project, don't miss Kara Young Ignites the Screen in Electrifying Revenge Thriller 'Is God Is'. Stay tuned to ShowtimeSpot for more Star Wars updates and coverage.
