Reports and insider comments suggest Lucasfilm is exploring a horror-themed Star Wars television series, expanding the franchise into darker, uncharted territory. The news originates from comments by a key Star Wars creator, not an official studio announcement.
While no details on story, characters, or release dates have been confirmed, the potential project reflects a broader move by the franchise to experiment with new genres following the success of shows like Andor.
How The News First Surfaced
The buzz about a Star Wars horror project started with Tony Gilroy, the creator and showrunner of the critically praised series Andor. In an April 2025 interview, Gilroy was asked about his wish to see different genres explored within the Star Wars universe. He had previously talked about wanting to see a Star Wars horror movie or a three-camera sitcom.
When the topic came up again, Gilroy indicated the idea was more than just a fantasy. “They’re doing that. I think they’re doing that. I think that’s in the works, yeah,” he said. He added that with the right creator and moment, you can do anything in this universe.
Gilroy did not confirm his own involvement, provide any story specifics, or announce a formal green light from Lucasfilm. His comments pointed to early development discussions happening inside the company.
Following Gilroy’s hint, entertainment scooper DanielRPK reported in January 2026 that Lucasfilm is actively developing a Star Wars horror series. This report, while still unconfirmed by Disney, aligns with the timeline of Gilroy’s earlier comments.
What We Know (And Don’t Know) About The Project
Information is extremely limited, as neither Lucasfilm nor Disney has made any official announcement. The project has not been listed on any public production slate or featured at major events like Star Wars Celebration.
Key details remain complete mysteries:
- Format: It is unclear if the project is intended as a limited series, an ongoing show, or even a special.
- Story & Setting: No plot outlines, character names, or specific timelines within the Star Wars galaxy have been revealed. It could explore deep Sith mythology, cosmic horror, or entirely new threats.
- Creative Team: Aside from Gilroy’s awareness of it, there is no information about who is writing, directing, or producing the series.
The project is best described as being in a very early conceptual or development stage. Lucasfilm is known for developing many ideas internally that may or may not move forward to full production.
The Path For Horror In The Star Wars Galaxy
A dedicated horror story would be new for live-action Star Wars, but the franchise has always had darker elements. The dark side of the Force, Sith rituals, and certain creatures have provided scary moments in films and shows.
Recent series have pushed into more mature and genre-specific territory. Andor is a grounded political spy thriller, while The Mandalorian uses Western and samurai influences. Animated series like The Clone Wars and Tales of the Jedi have also explored morally complex and darker storylines.
The first season of The Acolyte leaned into mystery and horror-adjacent themes with its focus on the Sith. Some reports suggest a new horror project could build upon the darker concepts that show introduced.
Actor Mark Hamill has also publicly liked the idea. He once described a concept where a Force ghost is actually frightening, not a benign presence.
Also Read:
Where This Fits In The Broader Star Wars Lineup
The potential horror series is just one of many projects reportedly in development. The confirmed next major release is The Mandalorian & Grogu, a feature film hitting theaters on May 22, 2026. This will be the first Star Wars movie since 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker.
Other upcoming TV projects include:
- Ahsoka Season 2: Currently in development, with filming wrapped.
- Maul: Shadow Lord: An animated series focused on Darth Maul after the Clone Wars, set for 2026.
- Carlton & Nick Cuse Series: A mysterious live-action series from the co-creator of Lost is also in early development.
The reported horror series would fit into this expanding model of Star Wars storytelling, which is increasingly exploring standalone stories and specific genres rather than only advancing the core Skywalker saga.
Also Read: Undercover Miss Hong: Park Shin Hye and Cho Han Gyul’s Awkward First Meeting Over a Video Rental
