We know that Star Wars will continue forward after Episode IX is complete, but at this point, we have no idea exactly how. That being said, it's looking more and more clear what the next Star Wars Story will be. While we know that Rian Johnson is working on an entirely new trilogy and the guys behind Game of Thrones are also working on Star Wars projects. The prevailing sentiment is that the first movie following the current trilogy will focus on Obi-Wan Kenobi, and a new rumor seems to reinforce the idea, reporting that pre-production on the project is now in full swing.
The report comes from Star Wars fan site Fantha Tracks, and the source is unnamed, so at the moment let's call this a rumor, but according to the rumor, pre-production, including concept artists, storyboard artists, and prop modelers are currently working at Pinewood Studios in London with additional work being done at the London location of Industrial Light & Magic. According to the report, the new Obi-Wan movie is set to go into full production in early 2019 with a December 2020 release date.
While this may be just a rumor, the fact that an Obi-Wan Kenobi movie being planned for 2020 is the only real rumor that we've heard at all, would lend some credence to the idea. We know Lucasfilm plans to release one Star Wars movie a year, which means something is likely coming for 2020, and this idea is the only one that seems to have any momentum behind it.
It certainly wouldn't be shocking. An Obi-Wan Kenobi movie, possibly even a trilogy, has been rumored since almost the beginning of the Disney Star Wars era. Ewan McGregor has repeatedly said he's open to returning to the role, and he's now the perfect age to play the part in a movie set between the original and prequel trilogies.
If there's anything that would make me question the idea, it's the December 2020 release date. The mid-December date that the rest of the current Star Wars movies have been using is already booked for 2020 by a little movie called Avatar 2, and while that movie feels like it could be even more of a figment than the Obi-Wan movie, considering how far it's already been pushed back, if it does come out, it will be a major competitor for screen space. Studios usually don't release tentpole films head-to-head like that. Not to say it couldn't happen, but it seems unlikely.
It's also a bit surprising that so much work is apparently being done on a movie that has never been officially announced. Lucasfilm may be trying to get other things set so it can announce an entire future slate of Star Wars movies down the road, but whatever the reason, if this movie is real, just how far along will it get before the studio admits it's real?
