STAR WARS UNDERWORLD: PLAN FOR SIXTY EPISODES

Discover the untold story of “Star Wars: Underworld,” an ambitious series that promised to plunge viewers into the shadowy depths beneath Coruscant’s glimmering skyline, exploring a darker side of the beloved galaxy far, far away. Set against the backdrop of the Empire’s dominance, this live-action prequel would have woven intricate tales of crime, power struggles, and moral ambiguity, deviating from the typical hero narrative to immerse audiences in a universe layered with complexity and intrigue. With a staggering $2.4 billion budget planned and the masterminds behind the Star Wars saga, including George Lucas and Rick McCallum, steering the ship, the series was poised to redefine the franchise. Despite having 60 scripts ready and the potential to intertwine with other canceled projects like “Star Wars 1313,” the series was lost to time after Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm. Yet, rumors are swirling once again, as advancements in cinematic technology hint at a possibility for revival. Could this long-dormant legend finally emerge from obscurity to captivate Star Wars fans anew? Dive into the full story to uncover the mysteries of “Underworld.”

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Quick Takeaways:

"Star Wars: Underworld" was a planned live-action series set on Coruscant, exploring the criminal world during the Empire’s reign.
Sixty scripts were completed, with each episode estimated to cost $40 million, leading to a projected budget of $2.4 billion.
George Lucas led the project, with contributions from industry figures like Rick McCallum and Ronald D. Moore.
The series focused on morally ambiguous characters, deviating from traditional hero-centric Star Wars stories.
High costs and difficulty securing a network led to its cancellation, especially after Disney acquired Lucasfilm in 2012.
Connections were planned with other projects, such as the canceled video game Star Wars 1313.
Advancements in visual effects technology could make a revival more financially viable today.

The Vision for 'Star Wars: Underworld'

Initially conceived as a live-action series, Star Wars: Underworld aimed to explore the darker side of the galaxy, focusing on the seedy depths of Coruscant. Set during the height of the Empire, the series sought to introduce a new perspective on the Star Wars universe—one centered on crime, corruption, and morally gray characters rather than the traditional battle between Jedi and Sith.

A Massive Undertaking

The project reached an advanced stage, with sixty scripts completed. Each episode was expected to cost around $40 million, making the total budget an estimated $2.4 billion. Producer Rick McCallum explained that with available technology at the time, costs remained too high to move forward.

Creative Talent Behind the Project

George Lucas spearheaded the effort, with key figures like Rick McCallum and Ronald D. Moore involved. The show's premise aimed to immerse audiences in a rich, character-driven narrative. McCallum described the series as dark, mature, and groundbreaking, suggesting it would have dramatically shifted the Star Wars franchise’s trajectory.

A Departure from Traditional Star Wars Narratives

Unlike previous Star Wars stories that followed clear-cut heroes and villains, Underworld placed morally ambiguous figures at the center. This approach promised added depth, making the galaxy feel more layered and interconnected.

The Cancellation and Its Aftermath

Despite its ambitious scope, the series never moved into production. The high costs, combined with the struggle to find a network willing to invest in such an expensive project, ultimately led to its shelving. Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm in 2012 further diminished the chances of Underworld moving forward.

Ties to Other Star Wars Projects

The series was meant to connect with other planned expansions of the franchise, including the canceled video game Star Wars 1313, which would have explored similar themes and locales, featuring a bounty hunter navigating Coruscant’s underworld.

Could 'Underworld' Be Revived?

With advancements in technology, particularly virtual production techniques like those used in The Mandalorian, reviving Star Wars: Underworld may now be a financially feasible option. While no official plans exist, the concept remains an intriguing prospect for future storytelling in the franchise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did George Lucas create 60 unaired Star Wars episodes?

Yes, George Lucas was involved in developing around 60 episodes of a Star Wars television series before Disney acquired Lucasfilm. These episodes were part of “Star Wars: Underworld,” a live-action project that was ultimately put on hold.

What was Star Wars: Underworld supposed to be about?

Star Wars: Underworld was planned as a gritty, live-action series set between Episode III and Episode IV. It would have explored the criminal underworld of Coruscant, featuring bounty hunters, smugglers, and the rise of the Empire.

Why did Lucasfilm never release Star Wars: Underworld?

The series was put on hold due to budget constraints, as the cost of producing high-quality visual effects for television at the time was too high. When Disney took over Lucasfilm, priorities shifted to other Star Wars projects.

Will Lucasfilm ever release the 60 Star Wars episodes?

There’s no official confirmation that Lucasfilm will release the episodes, but some ideas from the series have influenced later Star Wars projects. With the rise of streaming platforms like Disney+, there’s always a chance some elements could be revived in the future.

Have any scenes or scripts from Star Wars: Underworld been leaked?

Yes, concept art, test footage, and some details about the scripts have surfaced online over the years. These leaks have given fans a glimpse into what could have been, but the full episodes remain unseen.

Could Disney adapt Star Wars: Underworld for Disney+?

It’s possible, as Disney has revisited many past Star Wars projects for new content. Some themes and ideas from Underworld have already been incorporated into shows like The Mandalorian and Andor.

Filipino Translation:

Grabe, ang daming fans at industry insiders na na-intriga sa concept ng isang Star Wars series na tinatawag na Underworld. Originally, live-action dapat 'to at balak nilang gawin ng 60 episodes, na magpo-focus sa madilim na side ng Star Wars universe—yung underworld ng Coruscant habang nasa peak ng Empire.

Actually, umabot na sa 60 ang mga finished script, pero sobrang mahal ng production—mga $40 million per episode! So kung susumahin, nasa $2.4 billion ang total budget. Sabi nga ni Rick McCallum, dating producer ng Star Wars franchise, "Each episode was bigger than the films, so the lowest I could get it down to with the technology that existed then was about $40 million an episode."

Syempre, si George Lucas mismo ang namahala, tapos involved din sina Rick McCallum at Ronald D. Moore. Planong gawing super-detailed yung mundo nito, para parehong ma-enjoy ng mga baguhan at OG fans. Dagdag pa ni McCallum, "These were dark. They were sexy, they were violent, they were just absolutely wonderful. Wonderful, complicated, challenging. I mean, it would have blown up the whole Star Wars universe and Disney definitely would have never offered George to buy it [Laughs]."

Unlike sa usual Star Wars stories na nakatutok sa mga hero, eto raw iba—mas madilim, tungkol sa mga morally ambiguous na characters na gumagalaw sa anino. Mas pinalalim at pinakomplikado ‘yung Star Wars universe. Kaya lang, dahil sobrang mahal gawin at walang network na willing gumastos ng ganun kalaki, na-shelve ang project—lalo na pagkatapos bilhin ng Disney ang Lucasfilm noong 2012.

May connection din dapat ang series na ‘to sa ibang Star Wars projects, katulad ng na-cancel na game na Star Wars 1313, kung saan sana may character na parang Boba Fett na magna-navigate sa underworld ng Coruscant.

Ngayon, dahil sa advancements sa technology at visual effects—lalo na sa gamit nilang The Volume—baka may chance na gawing mas affordable ang production. Kaya sino’ng nakakaalam? Pwedeng buhayin ulit ang Star Wars: Underworld in the future!

I Can’t Believe Lucasfilm Is Sitting On 60 Star Wars Episodes From The George Lucas Era (Will We Ever See Them?) was first published here.