STAR WARS: UNDERWORLD – THE AMBITIOUS TV SERIES THAT NEVER WAS
Imagine a Star Wars series exploring a darker, more intricate galaxy in “Star Wars: Underworld,” a project that promised to unveil the seedy underbelly of Coruscant between “Revenge of the Sith” and “A New Hope.” Conceived in the early 2000s by George Lucas, this ambitious endeavor aimed to delve into mature storylines with over 60 scripts ready and a staggering budget of around $2.4 billion. However, financial constraints and corporate shake-ups left this tantalizing series in limbo, despite test footage and revolutionary virtual sets in play. While HBO talks fizzled and Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm shifted focus to blockbuster films, the innovative spirit of “Underworld” lives on in new Star Wars projects like “The Mandalorian,” hinting at secrets the galaxy was eager to reveal. What captivating stories remain hidden among the stars, waiting for the right moment to surface?
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Quick Takeaways
- George Lucas planned a Star Wars TV series focused on the galaxy's criminal side.
- "Star Wars: Underworld" was set between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope.
- Over 60 scripts were written, with an estimated $40 million per episode.
- The show was canceled due to high costs and Lucasfilm’s sale to Disney.
- Some ideas from the project later influenced The Mandalorian and other Star Wars stories.
A Darker Chapter in Star Wars
In the early 2000s, George Lucas set out to create a Star Wars television series that would explore the underworld of the galaxy. Titled Star Wars: Underworld, this live-action show aimed to portray Coruscant’s criminal scene, an aspect rarely shown in the films. The events were meant to take place between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope, offering a more mature and complex take on the franchise.
Ambitious Plans and Soaring Costs
The show was an enormous project, with more than 60 scripts already written. Each episode was estimated to cost around $40 million, leading to a projected total budget of over $2.4 billion. Producer Rick McCallum emphasized its scale, explaining that episodes were more expensive than the films. "The lowest I could get it down to, with the technology that existed then, was about $40 million an episode," he revealed.
Challenges and Cancellation
Despite significant effort, including test footage and advancements in virtual sets and CGI, the production faced financial roadblocks. Lucasfilm sought funding from HBO, but internal leadership changes stalled discussions. When Disney acquired Lucasfilm in 2012, priorities shifted to new film projects, leading to the series being shelved. Underworld was also meant to connect with other canceled projects, such as the video game Star Wars 1313, which would have centered on Boba Fett’s early years as a bounty hunter.
Influence on Later Star Wars Stories
Though the show never made it to air, elements of Underworld have surfaced in later Star Wars productions. The Mandalorian and other live-action series have incorporated aspects of Lucas's original vision, keeping parts of the concept alive in new ways.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was George Lucas’ scrapped live-action ‘Star Wars’ TV series?
George Lucas’ scrapped live-action ‘Star Wars’ TV series, known as ‘Star Wars: Underworld,’ was a proposed show set in the criminal underworld of Coruscant between Episodes III and IV. The series was planned to be highly ambitious, featuring advanced visual effects and darker storytelling, but was ultimately canceled due to budget constraints.
Why did Rick McCallum say Lucas’ TV series would have stopped Disney’s purchase of ‘Star Wars’?
Rick McCallum suggested that if George Lucas had moved forward with ‘Star Wars: Underworld,’ he might have remained more involved with Lucasfilm and not sold the company to Disney. The TV series could have changed the franchise’s trajectory, keeping Lucas’ vision in place instead of Disney’s new direction.
How would ‘Star Wars: Underworld’ have been different from Disney’s ‘Star Wars’ projects?
‘Star Wars: Underworld’ was expected to have a darker, more mature tone, focusing on crime syndicates and political intrigue. Unlike Disney’s approach, which has leaned into nostalgia and family-friendly storytelling, Lucas’ series would have explored morally complex themes and expanded the franchise in a new direction.
Why was ‘Star Wars: Underworld’ never made?
The series was ultimately shelved due to budget concerns, as the technology needed to create its ambitious special effects was not yet cost-effective. Despite having over 50 scripts written, Lucas decided to put the project on hold, and after Disney acquired Lucasfilm, it was never revived.
Did any elements from ‘Star Wars: Underworld’ influence later Disney projects?
Yes, some ideas from ‘Star Wars: Underworld’ have influenced Disney’s ‘Star Wars’ projects, particularly ‘The Mandalorian’ and ‘Andor.’ These shows share the gritty, underworld-focused storytelling and character-driven narratives that Lucas initially envisioned for his series.
Could ‘Star Wars: Underworld’ ever be revived?
While there has been no official plan to revive ‘Star Wars: Underworld,’ some of its concepts and scripts could still inspire future ‘Star Wars’ projects. With advances in technology and Disney’s interest in expanding the franchise, elements of the original idea may resurface in new series or films.
Filipino Translation:
Noong early 2000s, may plano si George Lucas na gumawa ng Star Wars TV series na mas madilim at gritty ang tema. Ang title nito ay Star Wars: Underworld, at plano nitong ipakita ang underground crime scene ng Coruscant—isang side ng galaxy na bihirang makita sa mga pelikula. Nakaset ito sa pagitan ng Revenge of the Sith at A New Hope, kaya mas mature at complex ang approach sa Star Wars universe.
Malaki yung project na 'to—more than 60 scripts na ang nasulat, at sobrang bigat ng budget na halos pang-blockbuster level. Sabi nga ni Rick McCallum, producer ni Lucas, "The problem was, each episode was bigger than the films… The lowest I could get it down to, with the technology that existed then, was about $40 million an episode." Imagine, bawat episode, nasa $40 million! So kung itutuloy lahat ng planned episodes, aabot sa $2.4 billion ang total budget.
Kahit na nag-effort sila—gumawa pa sila ng test footage at nagdevelop ng mga bagong tech tulad ng virtual sets at CGI—hindi natuloy ang project dahil sa sobrang taas ng gastos. Sinubukan pa nilang humanap ng funding mula sa HBO, pero na-stop ang discussions dahil sa mga internal changes sa HBO. Tapos, nung binili ng Disney ang Lucasfilm, lalo nang na-hold ang Underworld, kasi nag-focus ang bagong management sa paggawa ng mga bagong pelikula. Dapat nga, connected ito sa ibang canceled projects, tulad ng Star Wars 1313, isang video game na supposedly magpapakita ng early years ni Boba Fett bilang bounty hunter.
Pero kahit hindi natuloy ang Underworld, may elements nito na napasama sa ibang Star Wars projects tulad ng The Mandalorian. In a way, na-extend pa rin yung vision ni Lucas pero sa ibang format.
Producer Rick McCallum Says Lucas’ Scrapped Live-Action TV Series Would Have Nixed Disney ‘Star Wars’ Purchase was first published here.
