Will "The Mandalorian" Season 4 Premiere Ahead of "Ahsoka" Season 2?

 

Will "The Mandalorian" Season 4 Premiere Ahead of "Ahsoka" Season 2?

Can Star Wars Enthusiasts Anticipate Ahsoka Season 2 Ahead of The Mandalorian Season 4?

In 2023, Lucasfilm accelerated its expansion of the MandoVerse, the narrative realm initially introduced by "The Mandalorian" on Disney+, with announcements of the show's fourth season and a MandoVerse film, alongside the release of "Ahsoka."

With "Ahsoka" having completed its run, the pressing question now revolves around the project timeline for the MandoVerse and which Star Wars story takes precedence.

What Will Arrive First: "The Mandalorian" Season 4 or "Ahsoka" Season 2?

Following the tantalizing conclusion of "Ahsoka" Episode 8 and Lucasfilm's subtle hints at a second season, the timeline for Lucasfilm's MandoVerse endeavors becomes a topic of discussion.

Currently, Disney+'s next Star Wars series set within this era is "Skeleton Crew." This series, led by Jude Law, concluded filming earlier this year and was originally scheduled for a late 2023 premiere. However, due to labor strikes (WGA and SAG-AFTRA) and minimal promotional efforts, there are indications that Disney and Lucasfilm might postpone its release to early 2024.

While it's confirmed that Vane, one of the pirates from "The Mandalorian" Season 3, will appear in "Skeleton Crew," the precise connections between this new narrative and the worlds of Mando, Ahsoka Tano, and Boba Fett remain a mystery.

Following "Skeleton Crew," the subsequent MandoVerse series likely to debut on Disney+ is "The Mandalorian" Season 4. Prior to the disruptions caused by the labor strikes, Jon Favreau had already stated that he had completed the script for Season 4, and there were reports of a September or October 2023 start date for filming.

Given the altered timeline, it's still plausible that "The Mandalorian" Season 4 will commence production before "Ahsoka" Season 2, which, it's worth noting, Lucasfilm has yet to officially confirm.

Nonetheless, the events of Episode 8 left room for further storytelling and almost demand it. While Dave Filoni might choose to resolve the show's new plotlines and loose ends in a MandoVerse movie, Rosario Dawson had hinted at the possibility of a second season even before the show's premiere, expressing that if fans embraced the series, it could lead to more opportunities:

"I really, really hope the fans love it. That means A) we get to do more and B) we’ve honored the legacy of this character and this journey, and I know that’s what we intended to do."

Irrespective of whether Ahsoka's challenges are addressed in a second season or on the big screen, it's improbable that they will be resolved before the return of Mando and Grogu.

The MandoVerse Timeline and Dave Filoni's Film

According to Star Wars, Dave Filoni's MandoVerse film will center on the New Republic and aim to tie up the interconnected narratives of "The Mandalorian," "The Book of Boba Fett," "Ahsoka," and other Disney+ series. Apart from Filoni hinting at Thrawn being the film's main antagonist, little else, including a release date, has been divulged.

However, if this film marks the culmination of the MandoVerse, it's expected to align with the future seasons of "The Mandalorian," any subsequent seasons of "Ahsoka," and potentially "Skeleton Crew."

Speaking of "Skeleton Crew," being a new storyline with fresh characters, it could offer fans insights into how many Disney+ seasons stand between the present and Filoni's cinematic endeavor.

In the coming months, Star Wars enthusiasts may gain a clearer understanding of the franchise's trajectory. For now, all episodes of "The Mandalorian," "The Book of Boba Fett," and "Ahsoka" are available for streaming on Disney+.