James Mangold talks about his film STAR WARS explaining that it is free from the constraints of tradition

James Mangoldthe director behind Logan AND Indiana Jones and the Quadrant of Destinyis currently developing an ambitious Star Wars project for Lucasfilm that will explore the origins of the Jedi.

Indicatively indicated as Dawn of the Jedithis story will take audiences 25,000 years before the events of The Phantom Menacediving into an unexplored era of the Star Wars universe.

In a recent interview with MovieWeb, Mangold shed some light on his approach to making this project. Collaboration with the screenwriter Beau Willimonthe director spoke about the importance of originality in this new story.

He said: “For me, the really important aspects are the freedom to do something new. Can we find a way on the page to say something original?”

Mangold acknowledges the challenges of working within such a tradition-rich franchise, adding:

“I don’t care about being handcuffed that much [immovable] the tradition at this point is that it’s almost immovable and you can’t please anyone.”

By setting his film in the distant past, Mangold will be able to sidestep the narrative constraints and fan expectations tied to the established Star Wars timeline.

The director described the project as a sweeping epic Ben Hur OR The Ten Commandmentsfocused on the discovery of the Force and the origins of the Jedi Order.

Mangold shared, “The Force has become a sort of religious legend that runs through all of these films. But where did it come from? How is it found? Who found it? Who was the first Jedi? That’s what I’m writing right now .” .”

This era represents uncharted territory for the Star Wars franchise. Historically, the Jedi Order was founded around 25,793 BBY, following the devastating Force Wars on Tython. The First Jedi, the first to wield the Force, is a key figure in this period.

First depicted as a mosaic in The Last Jedithe First Jedi symbolizes the duality and balance of the Force, drawing inspiration from Taoist yin-yang iconography.

Mangold recently said, “The Star Wars movie would be set 25,000 years before any known Star Wars movie was set. It’s an area and playground that I’ve always [wanted to explore] and who I was inspired by as a teenager.”

Despite this ambitious goal, Mangold faces the challenge of making a film that resonates with fans. The distance from the established timeline could work in its favor, offering a new vision of a galaxy far, far away.

Although there is no confirmed release date for Dawn of the Jediit’s unlikely to hit theaters before 2027 or 2028.

Immersing yourself in the distant past of Star Wars galaxy, has the opportunity to create a story unlike any other in the history of the franchise.