The possibility of a Star Wars live action TV show may ring familiar to anyone who has been following the news cycle long enough. However, it seems that things are starting to line up to where such a project might finally be possible. Apparently, Disney has been nursing the plans for such a program for a while and the time may soon be approaching in the company's long game when a Star Wars live action project may become a reality. In fact, it looks like the titanic tentpole of Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens could serve as the catalyst that finally gets this project off the ground.
According to a report from Cinelinx, which supplements a rumor dropped by Making Star Wars, the long-speculated Star Wars live-action television project is still very much in the mix over at Disney. While rumblings indicate that the show is in the works, and could even use a character from the upcoming new series of books, nothing has been greenlighted yet. In fact, it could still be some time before production commences. As the report indicates, however, while the current cycle of movies are being filmed, the live TV project is in "a holding pattern."
It may seem odd that the Star Wars franchise wouldn't be willing to walk and chew gum at the same time by shooting the show independently. However, the rumored idea is that they would shoot the live action endeavor in between the schedule of the subsequent Star Wars sequel films over at the famous Pinewood Studios in England. In essence, it allows them to repurpose the same sets and props used in the uber-expensive film undertakings, giving the show a level of quality that’s analogous to the films. So, while there is some prestige to shooting a television show on the same lots where countless other major franchise films like Avengers: Age of Ultron, The Hobbit trilogy and Guardians of the Galaxy have shot, for the Star Wars TV series, it would be more about consistency. That can only be good sign for the show’s potential quality and where it would fit into the broader continuity if it does move forward.
Yet, therein lies the problem. In order to implement this plan, a budget would need to be allocated so that time in the studio can be formally scheduled. (Provided that it’s even available.) At the moment, it doesn't seem as if any of this is locked down. In fact, much of what will determine the course of the Star Wars franchise rests upon the performance of this December’s The Force Awakens, which is currently in post-production. While it’s a guaranteed box-office home run, much will depend on what type of home run it ultimately becomes. Will it be a ho-hum spectacle that does decent box-office business and perfunctorily carries sequels? Or will it be an epoch-defining epic that creates an insatiable demand for cross-medium materials such as this potentially costly TV show to consume on top of the sequels and those long discussed spinoff movies?
While plans in one form or another for a Star Wars TV show have been circulating for about the last 5 years, talks started to revitalize after Disney’s $4 billion acquisition of the property back in late 2012. This latest rumor seems to be the most optimistic indicator in a while that there are signs of life for this TV project. Disney’s road map will be a lot clearer after the December 18 release of The Force Awakens, and this update seems to play into a pattern we’ve been seeing when it comes to Disney’s superbly micro-managed long-term planning. The company clearly has a strong desire to tighten the connected continuities of the property. If that is what is responsible for the current inertia, then it has my support.
