3 Star Wars spin-offs planned, and Episode VII could be titled ‘The Ancient Fear’

By Rick Marshall Published May 7, 2014

The core cast of the upcoming Star Wars movie was officially announced last week, but the hunger for more news regarding Episode VII of the franchise (and the greater sci-fi saga) hasn’t abated.

At least three more Star Wars movies are planned in addition to the upcoming trilogy, according to Disney. Previously, it was implied that two standalone projects were likely, with each film providing an “origin story” of sorts for popular characters from the franchise. Han Solo and bounty hunter Boba Fett were reported to be the subjects of the solo projects, with Yoda also rumored as a potential subject.

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Disney CEO Bob Iger confirmed plans for three films outside of the “Episode” chapters of the series during a conference call reporting on the company’s earnings in the second quarter of the fiscal year. Rumors suggest that the standalone films will alternate years with the trilogy installments, making it likely that the first film will premiere in 2016 (a year after Episode VII hits theaters). Lawrence Kasdan and Simon Kinberg were confirmed to each be writing one of the “origin” films.

While the news regarding the three spin-off films comes straight from Disney, another report making the rounds is decidedly less official — but still intriguing.

According to Ain’t It Cool News, the working title for Star Wars, Episode VII is “The Ancient Fear.” The site reports that, although it couldn’t get confirmation from director J.J. Abrams or Disney (no surprise there), the title refers to Max Von Sydow’s character in the film. Of course, this remains entirely unofficial, especially since working titles — even if it is true — rarely end up as the official title of a production.

Still, the rumor offers yet another bone for speculating fans to chew on.

Star Wars, Episode VII is currently scheduled to hit theaters December 18, 2015. The film stars John Boyega, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Daisy Ridley, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, and Max von Sydow. Franchise veterans Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Kenny Baker will also reprise their roles from the original trilogy.

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What’s next for Star Wars after The Book of Boba Fett

Temuera Morrison in a scene from The Book of Boba Fett.

Star Wars spinoff series The Book of Boba Fett wrapped up its much-anticipated first season with an explosive finale that brought together key characters introduced across multiple live-action and animated series as well as tie-in novels and other stories set within the sci-fi saga. And with the dust beginning to settle, Star Wars fans still have plenty to look forward to as the franchise begins its next chapter.

The seventh and final episode of The Book of Boba Fett season 1 tied up plenty of story arcs while establishing a new status quo for some characters, and to the surprise of no one, also teased a bit of what's to come for season 3 of The Mandalorian and other Star Wars projects on the horizon. From confirmed films and shows to the stuff of rumors and speculation, here's what we know about what's next for the Star Wars universe after The Book of Boba Fett.

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The Book of Boba Fett trailer dives into the Star Wars underworld

A scene from The Book of Boba Fett featuring the titular bounty hunter.

Boba Fett instantly captured the imaginations of Star Wars fans when he made his first appearance on the big screen in The Empire Strikes Back. Now, Boba Fett will finally headline his own series at the end of this year when Disney+ and Lucasfilm unleash The Book of Boba Fett.

The Mandalorian season 2 reintroduced Boba Fett nearly four decades after his infamous death in Return of the Jedi. The show quickly reminded fans why they loved Boba Fett, as he lived up to his legend and teamed up with the Mandalorian to rescue Grogu (aka Baby Yoda) from the Imperial Remnant. In the post-credits scene from season 2, Boba and his new associate, Fennec Shand, invaded Jabba's palace and forcefully took over his criminal empire. That's where things begin in The Book of Boba Fett's first trailer. Boba and Fennec have a new approach to ruling the underworld: Where Jabba led with fear, they want to lead with respect. Unfortunately, not everyone is receptive to their proposals.

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Don’t let these 3 hidden March 2025 streaming TV shows fly under your radar

A group of well-dressed people crowd by a doorway, looking shocked in The Residence.

Every month, there's always one, maybe two, new shows that get all the attention. Sometimes, it's a popular show returning with a new season. This March, many less high-profile shows are flying under the radar. You might have heard of these shows but weren't quite sure what they were about or even if they're worth watching.
We suspect that you'll be pleasantly surprised if you give any of these shows your time. Check out an episode or two, and it will likely lead to binging the whole thing. Two of the three series release all season one episodes at once, while the third will tease you with the first two episodes this month. What are these three hidden March 2025 streaming TV shows you shouldn't let fly under your radar? Have a look.
Need more recommendations? Then check out the best new shows to stream this week, as well as the best shows on Netflix, the best shows on Hulu, the best shows on Amazon Prime Video, the best shows on Max, and best shows on Disney+.
Deli Boys (March 6)
Deli Boys | Official Trailer | Hulu
Already receiving rave reviews, Deli Boys is a hilarious comedy about two Pakistani American brothers, Mir (Asif Ali) and Raj (Saagar Shaikh), who discover that their father was much more than a convenience store owner. When he suddenly passes, the brothers discover that dear Dad was actually embroiled in a life of crime.
If they don’t want to lose everything their family has worked for, they need to take over as the new crime bosses. But this is not a life they know anything about. As one of the most anticipated Hulu shows of 2025, Deli Boys’ first season delights thanks to its clever one-liners, talented cast, and bizarre storylines.
Stream Deli Boys on Hulu.
The Residence (March 20)
The Residence | Official Trailer | Netflix
The best way to describe The Residence is that it's like Knives Out in the White House with a gender-swapped Benoit Blanc-like character. The lead is Cordelia Cupp (Uzo Aduba), an equally eccentric yet brilliant detective who consults with the local police. When the White House chief usher, A.B. Wynter (Giancarlo Esposito in a role that was originally supposed to be played by the late Andre Braugher), winds up dead, she’s called in to investigate. A state dinner is going on downstairs with officials from Australia, and Cupp orders that no one leave until she questions all 140+ people present.
The Residence is plenty of fun, mixing the usual whodunit formula with Shonda Rhimes' unique creative flair that will keep you guessing from one episode, even a moment, to the next. Aduba is perfect as Cupp, who combines an oddball personality — including repeatedly birdwatching in the middle of a murder case — with a subtle sarcasm. Through it all, however, she throws down astute observations that teach everyone she knows exactly what she’s doing, even if it doesn’t look like it. If you love the whodunit genre, The Residence won’t disappoint.

Stream The Residence on Netflix.
The Studio (March 26)
The Studio — Official Trailer | Apple TV+
One of Apple TV+’s quieter new show releases is The Studio, which has gotten overwhelmingly positive reception in early reviews. Seth Rogen created and stars in this comedy as Matt Remick, a man who longs to run a Hollywood studio. When he finally realizes this dream, however, the reality of the complicated balancing act of managing budgets, changing economic and societal times, corporate demands, and eccentric actors sinks in.
The Studio has an incredible cast that includes Catherine O’Hara, Ike Barinholtz, Chase Sui Wonders, and Kathryn Hahn. There's also a rotating selection of guest stars playing exaggerated versions of themselves to add to the Hollywood feel, from Zac Efron to Martin Scorsese. Early reviews already give The Studio a perfect 100% Rotten Tomatoes score, with Slant Magazine’s Ross McIndoe singling out the dark and “more than a little pointed” comedy as the highlight.