Disney has scheduled Avatar sequels in the December release slot for the rest of the 2020s. However, recent news makes it unclear which Star Wars movie, if any, will release on the assigned date of December 22nd, 2023.
Following its acquisition of Lucasfilm in 2012, Disney seemed to be intent on releasing a new Star Wars movie annually, with one each year between 2015 and 2019. However, after the divisive response to The Rise of Skywalker made this seem like a smart move to reset the series with more of a focus on expanding the Star Wars universe instead of continuing to focus on the Skywalker family.
Initially, the first new release was slated to be a movie as it had been "pushed off to the side for the moment." There have also been reported creative differences between Jenkins and Lucasfilm - further complicating matters.
Instead, Kennedy has confirmed that the previously-announced Star Wars film by Waititi has stated that he won't be able to film the movie in 2022. Without a cast, premise, or even a title announced, it's hard to see how Waititi's movie is any closer to completion than Rogue Squadron.
Since the Disney acquisition, Lucasfilm has been criticized for its The Rise of Skywalker finished pre-production and began shooting in August 2018 for a December 2019 release.
Missing the planned December 2023 release would be not just a bad look for Star Wars but also a significant financial blow for Disney, leaving them without a major movie for the lucrative Christmas period. Because of this, Lucasfilm may feel pressure to quickly put together a movie for the planned date. However, a rushed film could further damage the Star Wars brand. Whether the next Star Wars movie is Waititi's movie, Rogue Squadron, or something else, Lucasfilm may need to abandon the 2023 release date to let the creative process play out.
