Lucasfilm rejected a pitch from Paddington 2 director Paul King and writer Simon Farnaby for a Star Wars film centered on a droid, according to statements made by Simon Farnaby and reported by Variety. The filmmakers, known for their live-action and CGI blending techniques in films like Wonka, proposed a story featuring no relevant characters from the broader galaxy. Lucasfilm and Disney turned down the concept because executives insisted the project needed to be a Star Wars film.
The Droid-Centric Pitch and Disney’s Rejection
Paul King and Simon Farnaby developed their Star Wars concept following their success with Paddington 2. According to Simon Farnaby in comments covered by Variety, the duo wanted to build a narrative using a mix of live-action footage and CGI, mirroring their visual style seen in films like Paddington (2017) and Wonka (2023). The central idea isolated a droid protagonist without support from traditional heroes like Luke Skywalker or Darth Vader. Disney and Lucasfilm leadership evaluated the pitch and ultimately passed. “We couldn’t manage to persuade them,” Simon Farnaby stated, noting that studio decision-makers placed importance on the project actually being a Star Wars film.
Future of the Project and Franchise Slate
Despite the initial rejection from Disney and Lucasfilm, the filmmakers were encouraged not to give up, and a standalone science fiction concept without a connection to the franchise remains active. According to reporting by Variety, King and Farnaby continue to work on the project. Meanwhile, Lucasfilm’s broader theatrical slate continues to shift. Kathleen Kennedy outlined upcoming release plans in an interview with Deadline, confirming that The Mandalorian & Grogu arrives in cinemas on May 20, 2026, followed by Star Wars: Starfighter with Ryan Gosling on May 26, 2027. A planned trilogy by Simon Kinberg is also in development, with a 70-page treatment recently delivered for review ahead of a targeted March script delivery, as detailed by Deadline.
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