The Team Behind Paddington 2 Could’ve Made a Star Wars Droid Movie
Writer Simon Farnaby reveals that Lucasfilm wanted "a Star Wars movie," but they passed on a pitched droid-centered story. The idea is now being reworked outside the Star Wars universe.
Background
Paul King and Simon Farnaby, known for their work on "Paddington 2", were approached by Lucasfilm to create a Star Wars film with a unique twist—a droid-focused narrative without any of the franchise’s iconic characters.
"They were like, ‘We really need it to be a Star Wars movie,’ which is probably why it didn’t get turned into a Star Wars movie," Farnaby shared in an Variety interview. “But we never really nailed it.”
The Unmade Project
The project, though not materialized, consumed time post-"Paddington 2" success. Farnaby revealed the concept during promotion for his latest film, hinting at a potential future release outside the Star Wars franchise.
Paul King and Simon Farnaby went on to produce "Wonka" and are currently working on "Labubu".
A Long Line of Unrealized Star Wars Projects
The droid pitch is but one in a series of unmade Star Wars films, including ideas from Rian Johnson, Guillermo del Toro, and the showrunners of "Game of Thrones." Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm in 2012 promised a steady stream of releases, but the franchise has delivered fewer films than anticipated and canceled several projects.
While "The Mandalorian" and "Grogu" underperformed at the box office this year, Lucasfilm pins its hopes on "Star Wars: Starfighter", scheduled for May 2027. Future projects from notable filmmakers remain uncertain. A potential Paul King Star Wars film would have been a standout addition, but Lucasfilm declined.