“Legends always contain a hint of truth,” Ahsoka once famously said in “Star Wars: Rebels.” This nod to fans reassures them that the beloved stories from the pre-Disney era of “Star Wars” may still have a place in the official canon. One such story is “Star Wars: Underworld,” an ambitious live-action TV series conceived by George Lucas after the release of “Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith” in 2005.
Over the years, snippets of information about “Star Wars: Underworld” have surfaced, offering glimpses into the series set in the underbelly of the galaxy, populated by scoundrels, smugglers, bounty hunters, and other criminals. Recently, Rick McCallum, the producer closely associated with the prequel films, shed more light on what the show would have entailed.
In a revealing interview on the “Young Indy Chronicles” podcast, McCallum shared insights into the bold vision for “Star Wars: Underworld.” Describing the series as dark, sexy, violent, and complex, he mentioned that each episode would have exceeded the scale of the films, with a staggering estimated cost of $40 million per episode.
Despite its promising premise, “Star Wars: Underworld” faced challenges that ultimately led to its cancellation. However, the legacy of the series lives on through the involvement of talented writers like Ronald D. Moore, known for his work on “Star Trek” and “Battlestar Galactica.” With 60 episode scripts in development and plans for over 100 episodes, the series represented a significant endeavor for Lucasfilm.
While “Star Wars: Underworld” never came to fruition, its influence can be seen in subsequent Disney projects like “The Mandalorian,” “The Bad Batch,” and “Andor.” The series’ exploration of the criminal underworld and character origins hinted at in the show may have inspired elements of these newer productions.
“Star Wars: Underworld” remains a tantalizing glimpse into what could have been a game-changing addition to the “Star Wars” universe. Although the series was ahead of its time and ultimately shelved, its impact on future storytelling in the galaxy far, far away is undeniable. Fans continue to speculate on the lost potential of “Star Wars: Underworld,” wondering what might have been if the series had materialized.
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