James Mangold to Write and Direct Boba Fett Standalone for Lucasfilm and Disney

According to a report from The Hollywood Reporter, Lucasfilm and Disney are developing a standalone Star Wars spin-off centered on the enduring fan-favorite character Boba Fett, with writer-director James Mangold attached to both pen the screenplay and helm the project. Mangold, known most recently for his work on the acclaimed film Logan (2017), would be taking on one of the franchise’s most iconic secondary characters for a feature-length exploration.

In addition to the Boba Fett project, Lucasfilm is reported to be developing a separate Obi-Wan Kenobi standalone film. Director Stephen Daldry, whose credits include Billy Elliot and The Reader, is in talks to direct that project, though a screenwriter has not yet been confirmed. Both projects appear to be part of Lucasfilm and Disney’s broader strategy to expand the Star Wars cinematic universe through character-focused spin-offs rather than only through episodic sequels.

The announcement arrives as Solo: A Star Wars Story continues its theatrical rollout. Solo was positioned as the second of Disney’s Star Wars standalone films and the first devoted primarily to a single character from the franchise’s core mythos. Industry estimates at the time projected a strong North American opening for Solo, underscoring the studio’s appetite for character-driven, self-contained Star Wars stories alongside its main saga films.

Speculation has swirled in recent months about other creative figures joining Lucasfilm’s standalone efforts. Producer Simon Kinberg — who has worked extensively within the X-Men universe and produced Logan — had been linked in rumors to a possible Star Wars standalone project. Kinberg’s long-standing professional relationship with Mangold and his producing track record make him a logical candidate for involvement, though it is not yet clear whether Kinberg will be part of this particular Boba Fett endeavor.

Boba Fett’s appeal is notable because it stems less from extensive screen time or dialogue than from mystique and design. First seen in the original trilogy’s The Empire Strikes Back and later in Return of the Jedi, the character spent only a few minutes on screen in those films but quickly developed a cult following due to his distinctive armor, enigmatic presence, and bounty hunter persona. That built-in popularity makes Boba Fett an attractive subject for a deeper filmic exploration, with the potential to examine his backstory, motivations, and the world of bounty hunters more broadly.

Details about the story, tone, cast, and production timeline for the Boba Fett project are being kept tightly under wraps by Lucasfilm and Disney. Given Mangold’s previous films, which often blend character focus with action and grounded emotional stakes, the prospective Boba Fett film could aim for a more intimate, character-driven approach while staying true to the adventurous, genre-oriented spirit of Star Wars. However, until an official announcement from Lucasfilm is made, specifics remain speculative.

For fans and industry observers, the development of a Boba Fett standalone and the reported Obi-Wan project signal Lucasfilm’s continued interest in diversifying how it tells Star Wars stories. Standalone films centered on individual characters allow filmmakers to take creative risks and to explore corners of the galaxy far from the main saga, offering both longtime fans and new audiences fresh ways to engage with the franchise.

As this news develops, more concrete information — including casting decisions, production partners, and a shooting schedule — will likely emerge. Until then, the central facts remain: Lucasfilm and Disney are assembling a Boba Fett standalone, James Mangold is set to write and direct, and a separate Obi-Wan standalone with Stephen Daldry is in early talks. The projects reflect an ongoing strategy to expand the Star Wars universe through focused, character-led films.