Star Wars Fans Can Say Goodbye to a 7-Year Disney+ Streak in 2026

2026 has been a major shift for the Star Wars franchise. Not only is The Mandalorian and Grogu set to bring a galaxy far, far away back to the silver screen, but Star Wars: Maul — Shadow Lord has become the most critically acclaimed and popular Star Wars series. A recent piece of news just revealed that this shift is affecting another Star Wars series, and breaking a seven-year streak in the process. During Disney’s presentation at the 2026 TV Upfronts, Rosario Dawson revealed that the second season of Ahsoka will debut in 2027, rather than this year.

This means that, for the first time in seven years, Disney+ won’t have a live-action Star Wars series making its debut or returning for a new season. Ever since the debut of The Mandalorian, the Star Wars franchise has been a major cornerstone of the streamer’s programming. Some shows, particularly Shadow Lord and Andor, have been met with resounding praise. Others, like The Book of Boba Fett, have received a less than favorable reception. Ahsoka being delayed to 2027 is a sign that there is a major shift in Lucasfilm’s vision for the Star Wars franchise.

The ‘Ashoka’ Delay Shows Lucasfilm Wants Star Wars To Be A Theatrical Draw Again

Image via Disney+

Ahsoka‘s delay doesn’t just shatter the Star Wars franchise’s streaming record on Disney+. Rather, it’s showcasing the direction Lucasfilm wants to go with Star Wars. In 2023, The Hollywood Reporter wrote that Lucasfilm was actively pursuing a new slate of Star Wars films, including the upcoming Star Wars: Starfighter and a story about the Jedi Knights’ origins by James Mangold (Logan, A Complete Unknown). In a rather ironic twist, The Mandalorian and Grogu serving as Star Wars’ return to the big screen is a full circle moment as The Mandalorian kicked off Star Wars’ dominance on Disney+.

Though Ahsoka will take a little while longer to return to television screens, Lucasfilm isn’t entirely abandoning Star Wars television. More focus has been placed on animation, including Shadow Lord and the groundbreaking anthology Star Wars Visions. In fact, Ahsoka owes its entire existence to animation, as Ahsoka Tano first played a pivotal role in Star Wars: The Clone Wars. The series also serves as an official sequel to Star Wars Rebels, showcasing how Lucasfilm’s animated work continues to shape the future of Star Wars.

‘Ahsoka’ Being Pushed to 2027 Can Work in its Favor

While fans might be upset at the wait for Ahsoka Season 2, the timing actually works heavily in its favor. 2027 marks the 50th anniversary of Star Wars, so perhaps creator Dave Filoni wanted to make sure the series was in tip top shape for such an important milestone. The footage that Filoni and Rosario Dawson showcased to the crowd at the 2026 TV Upfronts also was reportedly action packed, which lives up to their words that Season 2 will build on everything that fans loved from Season 1. Dawson even mentioned this during the presentation, promising fans that the wait would be worth it.

“This season, the battles are bigger and the stakes are higher.”

There’s another reason that Ahsoka Season 2 could be delayed, and it once again ties into the movie side of Lucasfilm. Back in 2020, former Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy teased that The Mandalorian and Ahsoka would lead into a feature film that spotlighted characters from both series. Ahsoka might have given a glimpse at what that film could be about, as it marks the return of Grand Admiral Thrawn (Lars Mikkelsen). Having been stranded in another galaxy after the events of Star Wars Rebels, Thrawn has returned and intends to re-form the Empire. A film could build off the events of Ahsoka and also showcase what happens with Thrawn’s quest, especially if The Mandalorian and Grogu is a success.

Ahsoka‘s return might have broken a successful streak for Star Wars on Disney+, but it showcases that Lucasfilm is ready to finally commit to new film projects. Hopefully, the wait will be worth it.

Season 1 of Ahsoka is available to stream on Disney+.

Release Date

August 22, 2023

Network

Disney+

•