James Mangold’s ‘Star Wars’ Film Set 25,000 Years Before ‘The Phantom Menace’ to Avoid Canon Constraints

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James Mangold, fresh off a Directors Guild of America nomination for A Complete Unknown, has revealed that his upcoming Star Warsfilm will be set 25,000 years before the events of The Phantom Menace. This deliberate choice allows Mangold to sidestep the extensive lore and canon associated with the franchise, offering a fresh narrative canvas for the director to explore the origins of the Force.

A New Era for Star Wars

Mangold shared with MovieWeb that the film’s ancient timeline enables him to break free from the constraints of established Star Warslore, a factor he believes can hinder creative storytelling.

“The Star Wars movie would be taking place 25,000 years before any known Star Wars movies,” Mangold explained. “It’s an area and a playground that I’ve always [wanted to explore] and that I was inspired by as a teenager. I’m not that interested in being handcuffed by so much lore at this point that it’s almost immovable, and you can’t please anybody.”

The project was officially announced by Lucasfilm in April 2023. Although the studio has remained tight-lipped about the film’s development, Mangold has been open about his approach. He previously likened the film’s tone to that of a Biblical epic, akin to The Ten Commandments, delving into the origins of the Force and how it was “understood, wielded, and harnessed” in its earliest form.

A Break from Canon Overload

Mangold’s aversion to overwhelming lore isn’t new. Speaking to Variety in 2023 ahead of the release of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Mangold expressed frustration with the industry’s reliance on Easter eggs and fan service.

“At a certain point, it isn’t storytelling anymore,” he said. “It’s large-scale advertising.”

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This perspective has also kept him from exploring the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which he described in a Rolling Stone interview as being bogged down by excessive world-building.

“It’s weird that I’ve even worked in the world of IP entertainment because I don’t like multi-movie universe-building,” Mangold said. “It’s the enemy of storytelling. The death of storytelling.”

Instead, Mangold emphasized the importance of emotional resonance, explaining:

“For me, the goal becomes, always, ‘What is unique about this film, and these characters?’ Not making you think about some other movie or some Easter egg or something else. You want the movie to work on an emotional level.”

A Storied Career in Blockbuster Filmmaking

While Mangold’s Star Wars film ventures into unexplored territory, he is no stranger to handling high-profile franchises. His credits include The Wolverine (2013), Logan (2017), and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023). Notably, Logan earned widespread acclaim for its stripped-down, character-driven narrative, further cementing Mangold’s reputation as a filmmaker capable of bringing depth to genre films.

Despite his success in major franchises, Mangold’s focus has always been on crafting compelling, standalone stories. His decision to anchor a Star Wars film in an entirely new era reflects his commitment to storytelling free from the constraints of existing canon.

What Lies Ahead for Mangold’s Star Wars

Though Lucasfilm has yet to announce a release date for Mangold’s Star Wars film, fans are eager to see how his vision will shape this uncharted corner of the galaxy. By shifting the focus to the origins of the Force, Mangold aims to create a cinematic experience that is not only visually stunning but also emotionally impactful.

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