The Mandalorian Season 4 could become a movie! That’s the rumored Barside Buzz coming out in the last day or so from a popular Lucasfilm insider. The MSW outlet which has a good record for Star Wars scoops has posted an article where they claim to have heard some interesting information that’s been discussed at a senior level within Lucasfilm.

Now, before we get into this, I have to say I’m dubious about this rumor. Not a slight on MSW as they have proved their credibility in the past. Though, I would say MSW’s information has always ramped up once a production has begun. It’s a bit rare for them to reveals plans being discussed at management level. However, the outlet claims this is one of their most trusted sources, so it is interesting and definitely worth covering. My doubt stems mainly from logic gaps I can see in this story, but we’ll get to that.

MSW says they’ve heard that executives at Lucasfilm/Disney are mulling over the idea of retooling The Mandalorian Season 4 into a movie. Now, I’ll drop some quotes in a second, but there are potential pro’s and con’s to this approach from the studios point of view.

Quotes From MSW

Only the most relevant passages have been quoted here, for everything the writer had to say, please check the source link.

‘The only fact I know in this article, is there is a plan or a concept Lucasfilm may or may not use. Even though they’re often wrong, Disney likes to look at possible outcomes and take the smartest path.’ 

‘This plan is being floated internally. This plan also seems to be a favorite among some of the executives. I have no idea what the creatives think or how they feel about this concept. Sorry for all the build up but I need to make sure we are on the same page about this.’ 

‘Apparently, from what I am hearing, there is a fear Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni will not be able to make two seasons of Disney+ shows that are prerequisites for Dave Filoni’sStar Wars theatrical film. A question being floated is if they can take the main story of Star Wars: The Mandalorian‘s fourth season and edit those scripts into a film that will release after the Rey film. This would effectively give Filoni two theatrical Star Wars films produced by Jon Favreau. We would lose the fourth season of The Mandalorianon Disney+ for now, but we would instead experience that story as a theatrical film that would lead into Dave Filoni’s original film concept a year or so later.’

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‘Disney is prioritizing theatrical releases for Star Wars over Disney+ at the moment (a sharp policy change over the last few years). If the WGA strike lasts into 2024, which right now seems likely, this plan could come to fruition and seems to the leading preference on the table. I heard this from one of my most solid sources ever and I have had it authenticated by other trusted sources and colleagues.’ 

Thoughts?

So I’ll keep this as brief as possible. Whilst I can see the positives for Disney in getting back into theaters with Star Wars and off Disney+, there is a lot that makes no sense. Currently Dave Filoni and Jon Favreau are on strike. Which as MSW says means we have no idea what they think of this idea. One of the things said is that the scripts for Mando S4 could be edited into a movie. Remember, Favreau had already written Season 4 prior to the WGA strike, so that’s submitted. However, editing the script into a movie, would require a rewrite, they can’t do that without the writer. Let’s be clear, turning a 6 hour TV series into a 2 hour movie is not just cutting things out.

Secondly, I can’t understand how this would not lengthen the time for release rather than expedite it. Let’s say the WGA and AG strikes end this December (they probably won’t). If they make Mando Season 4, they literally just have to book the studio and press the go button. Whereas, if they were to retool it, they can only rewrite the scripts after this point. Any directors they had already tapped up for episodes would need to be informed they are no longer needed. Plus any cast members told they’d be filming might not be needed. If the story is sliced in half, you’ll lose scenes and characters.

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This could also force Disney to use one of the dates they already have for a Star Wars movie for the Mando movie instead. Logic would say, this surely means the MandoVerse movie (already announced) would come later than currently planned? That just makes no sense to me. As you’re still reacting to, and waiting for, the ed of the strikes the same as before.

Ultimately there is only one pro to this approach I can see, but it’s a big one. Mandalorian is popular and people would watch it in theatres. If they did, it would make Disney more money than a Disney+ series would, that’s a fact. However, since the yearly (almost) Mando is one of the main draws for subscribers to Disney+ it could hurt subscriptions?

I’m not convinced this is a good idea, or that Favreau or Filoni would be into it. However, who knows how these executives think at times? Often it’s not about giving a story the best way to be told. Instead, what is easiest and will make more impact on the bottom line, so who knows?

What do you think of the rumor that The Mandalorian Season 4 could become a movie? Thoughts below as always.

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