Happy New Year!
We have turned a page into a new year, 2022, and so whereas yesterday we looked back at what happened in the Star Wars galaxy in 2021, today we’re taking a look forward at what is to come in this year. And it’s A LOT. In fact, it’ll be the biggest year in the history of the franchise, at least as far as new content is concerned.
Here’s a look at what’s to come this year!
DISNEY+ SERIES:
The Book of Boba Fett
This series already premiered at the end of 2021, but with only one episode that means the remaining six will all come this year, running through mid-February. The series follows Boba Fett’s efforts to claim the throne of Jabba the Hutt and rule as a crime lord alongside his ally Fennec Shand. Led by showrunner Robert Rodriguez, the series stars Temuera Morrison and Ming-Na Wen.
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Perhaps the most widely-anticipated project of them all is the Obi-Wan Kenobi series that is led by Deborah Chow and stars Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen reprising the iconic roles of Kenobi and Darth Vader. The series, set during Kenobi’s time in exile on Tatooine, will apparently lead to a climactic confrontation once more. We don’t know when this six episode series will release, but I’m guessing it’ll be the next series up after Boba Fett and will probably drop sometime around April or May.
The Bad Batch
The second season of the animated Star Wars series is also coming in 2022, overseen by Jennifer Corbett and Brad Rau. The first season ran for 16 episodes, so it seems reasonable to presume the second season will be similar. And it’s likely that the second season will continue to explore what it’s like for the clones to adapt to the changing galaxy, especially now that Kamino has been destroyed. We don’t know when this series will air, but I’m guessing it’ll be a summer series just like the first season was.
Andor
One of the shows that has flown under the radar more than the others is Andor, which stars Diego Luna in his return to the role of Rebel spy Cassian Andor. This prequel series to Rogue One also sees co-writer Tony Gilroy returning as the showrunner, and it will show us the darker sides of the Rebellion as they struggle for survival against the mighty Empire. I’m guessing a fall release for this series.
The Mandalorian?
We don’t know for sure when the third season of The Mandalorian is coming, but it’s currently filming, and it wouldn’t surprise me if the show returns this year in November or December like it has before (or like The Book of Boba Fett did). This is the one we don’t know for sure about, but it seems like a real possibility.
THE HIGH REPUBLIC:
Also continuing in 2022 is the massive High Republic publishing initiative, which kicks off the year with a bang with the release of The Fallen Star by Claudia Gray, the last major novel of phase one of the project. Also releasing early in the year are Midnight Horizon by Daniel José Older and Mission to Disaster by Justina Ireland. Charles Soule’s two-part comic mini-series about Marchion Ro, Eye of the Storm, releases at the beginning of the year, Daniel José Older’s comic mini-series Trail of Shadows wraps up, and the ongoing The High Republic (Cavan Scott) and The High Republic Adventures (Daniel José Older) comics will also continue. With the conclusion of this first phase, I’d expect a short break (probably only speaking of a couple months) before the next phase in the project takes place.
BOOKS & COMICS:
It’s not just The High Republic that’s occupying the publishing realm, as there are a number of other projects coming – some of which we know about and others that I’m sure are yet unannounced. As far as the books go, Queen’s Hope (by E.K. Johnston) will conclude the trilogy of books about Padmé Amidala. Brotherhood (by Mike Chen) will tell a story about Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker during their time as master and apprentice. In a similar vein, Padawan (by Kiersten White) will tell a story about Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi during their time as master and apprentice. And then Shadow of the Sith (by Adam Christopher) will tell about Luke Skywalker and Lando Calrissian searching for Exegol.
As for comics, the ongoing lines Star Wars (by Charles Soule), Darth Vader (by Greg Pak), Doctor Aphra (by Alyssa Wong), Bounty Hunters (by Ethan Sacks) will continue, with a couple of new series coming as well: Halcyon Legacy (by Ethan Sacks) is a mini-series about the Halcyon ship that is the focus of the Galaxy’s Edge hotel, while Han Solo & Chewbacca (by Marc Guggenheim) will be a mini-series about Han and Chewie teaming up with a Greedo on a mission for Jabba the Hutt.
Last but certainly not least is maybe the most significant comics of the year: Crimson Reign and Hidden Empire, both mini-series written by Charles Soule. Crimson Reign kicked off at the end of 2021, but it’s the second chapter in the trilogy, following the War of the Bounty Hunters. That one focuses on Qi’ra’s plans to strike at the Empire as the leader of Crimson Dawn, and it’ll be followed (and concluded) by Hidden Empire.
CELEBRATION
We’re also getting the return of Star Wars Celebration this year! Taking place in Anaheim May 26-29, I am confident that in such a huge year for the franchise we’ll get plenty of looks at what is to come, and probably some new reveals along the way as well. It’s always an awesome and huge event, and I’m glad that it’s returning.
VIDEO GAMES:
We don’t know a lot of information in this category, but we do know that the mobile game Hunters is releasing early in the year. But the biggest project by far is LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, which has kept getting pushed back but is set to release sometime this spring (for now at least). It’s the largest LEGO game ever made and will feature content from all of the films from the Skywalker Saga.
GALACTIC STARCRUISER
One other thing to mention is that the Galactic Starcruiser at Galaxy’s Edge opens on March 1, marking the next phase of the Galaxy’s Edge project. This hotel promises an immersive experience as you are thrust into the midst of a Star Wars story, but judging by it’s price, it’s something few of us will experience this year. Still, though, it’s something else Star Wars coming this year on top of everything else!
OTHER LUCASFILM PROJECTS
While most of what Lucasfilm is working on is obviously Star Wars, the Willow series for Disney+ will also release sometime this year, which is a continuation of the movie of the same name created by George Lucas and starring Warwick Davis (who is returning for this series).
… AND TONS MORE IN THE WORKS!
In addition to all of this, there are plenty of other Star Wars projects in the works that we’ll be hearing more about this year, including Ahsoka, The Acolyte, Rogue Squadron, and more (plus Indiana Jones 5, of course!). So even if we’re not actually seeing these projects right now, we’ll be hearing a lot more about them and building hype that they’re coming soon!
It’s never been a better time to be a Star Wars fan, and 2022 is going to be non-stop excitement and thrills. I can’t wait!
Star Wars Thoughts 