Before the significant acquisition of Lucasfilm by Disney in 2012, George Lucas was actively engaged in developing several groundbreaking Star Wars projects. Among these, one of the most ambitious was the live-action Star Wars: Underworld TV series, which was designed to unfold between the pivotal events of Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope. Although this intriguing series ultimately faced cancellation following Disney’s takeover of the franchise, substantial groundwork had been laid, including the writing of over 60 detailed scripts that showcased Lucas’s in-depth vision for the Star Wars universe.
While George Lucas was conceiving Star Wars: Underworld, the production was projected to be exceptionally costly. During an interview on the Young Indy Chroniclers podcast, producer Rick McCallum revealed that each episode was estimated to cost a staggering million. “We had over 60 scripts… like third draft scripts,” McCallum elaborated. These scripts were characterized as dark, provocative, and intricate, pushing the boundaries of traditional storytelling within the Star Wars franchise. He noted, “The problem was that each episode was bigger than the films, so the lowest I could get it down to with what existed then was $40 million an episode.” This significant investment underscores the ambitious scope of the series and its potential impact on the Star Wars lore.
McCallum kept the details of the series closely guarded, suggesting that it “would’ve blown up the whole ‘Star Wars’ universe,” hinting that Disney might not have pursued acquiring the franchise if they had seen the potential of Lucas’s vision. The intrigue surrounding this project only deepened when some test footage from the series surfaced online years later, giving fans a rare glimpse into what could have been. With over 60 scripts believed to be complete, one can only speculate about the rich narratives and characters that are still waiting to be discovered, potentially offering new stories that could have expanded the Star Wars universe in unexpected ways.
Despite the cancellation of Star Wars: Underworld, Disney’s determination to create live-action Star Wars series did not waver. The first successful project that emerged was The Mandalorian, which quickly garnered immense popularity and critical acclaim. Thanks to innovative technology like the digital background screen known as The Volume, The Mandalorian set new standards for production quality and storytelling within the Star Wars universe. This modern technology could have also been utilized to bring Underworld to life, showcasing the potential of combining classic storytelling with cutting-edge production techniques. Following The Mandalorian, Disney launched several other Star Wars series, including The Book of Boba Fett, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Andor, Ahsoka, The Acolyte, and Skeleton Crew. Notably, the second season of Andor is set for release on April 22, 2025, with a second season of Ahsoka also in development, further expanding the rich tapestry of the Star Wars saga.
