The financial failings of Solo: A Star Wars Story may be having a knock-on effect on all of the future films in the brand as a new rumor indicates that the standalone films are all on hold.
According to a new report from Collider, sources with knowledge of the discussions indicate that Lucasfilm has put all A Star Wars Story projects on indefinite hold. The plan reportedly calls for all resources to be directed at Star Wars: Episode IX, and another trilogy. The second trilogy was not named, but the assumption could be made that it will be the one from Rian Johnson.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story did decently at the box office eventually earning $1.056B globally off of a $200M budget. However, Solo: A Star Wars Story, as of this writing, stands at $343.29M globally after a month in theaters. There is no word on the budget yet, but rumor is that it balooned to $300M due to reshoots meaning that is the first Star Wars film to lose money when costs such as marketing are considered.
As it stands, no official announcements have been made about other A Star Wars Story installments, although rumors had indicated the next two would focus on Obi-Wan Kenobi and Boba Fett respectively. Some rumors have indicated that Ewan McGregor would indeed return to the role of Kenobi, while other reports indicated James Mangold (Logan) would be writing and directing the Fett project. As stated, though, nothing official had been announced.
If this report is true, it makes sense. Rogue One was critically maligned, but still want on to a decent return. Solo, on the other hand should have been a slam dunk as it is based on arguably the most popular character of the franchise. What went wrong is sure to be analyzed endlessly, and if that means Lucasfilm needs to take a breather, so be it.
