James Mangold: "Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi" Takes Place Long Before the Original Trilogy
A series adaptation of "Knights of the Old Republic" is also reportedly in development
With "Dawn of the Jedi", a new "Star Wars" movie is in the pipeline – directed by "Logan" director James Mangold. It is set well before the original trilogy about Luke Skywalker and Han Solo: 25,000 years to be exact.
In an interview with Movieweb, the director revealed that he wanted to tell a brand new story that deliberately does not have to adhere to any established backstories. Mangold is looking forward to the opportunity to explore a "playground" that inspired him as a teenager.
The distant past makes it possible to explore the origins of the Jedi in a way that has never been possible before. The screenplay is by Beau Willimon, who has already made a name for himself with "Mary Queen of Scots" and "The Ides of March" with Ryan Gosling. He is supported by director Mangold himself.
Speaking of "Star Wars" projects set far in the past: According to Hollywood insider Daniel Richtman, Disney is also working on a series adaptation of "Knights of the Old Republic". This is believed to be an original interpretation with new content as well. Among others, Keanu Reeves is being considered for a role – possibly that of the legendary Revan? It remains to be seen, however, whether the project will actually be realized. So far, there has been no official statement from Disney.
Meanwhile, there is bad news regarding the planned "Star Wars" film by Taika Waititi. This has now been shelved for an unspecified period of time.
James Mangold: A Career Full of Diversity and Success
James Mangold is one of Hollywood's most versatile and respected directors and screenwriters. Since the early 1990s, he has worked in a variety of genres, creating films that have wowed critics and audiences alike. From intimate character studies to action adventures to historical dramas, Mangold has proven time and again that he is a master storyteller. His career is an impressive example of how creative vision and craftsmanship can come together in the film industry.
Early Years and First Successes
James Mangold was born on December 16, 1963 in New York City. His interest in art and film was evident from an early age. After graduating from the California Institute of the Arts, where he studied under Alexander Mackendrick, among others, he began working as a screenwriter in Hollywood. His first attempts at directing quickly made it clear that Mangold had a unique talent for storytelling.
His breakthrough as a director came in 1995 with "Heavy", a sensitive drama about an overweight chef struggling with insecurity and loneliness. The film was acclaimed at the Sundance Film Festival and brought Mangold his first recognition on the independent film scene. "Heavy" showed his ability to portray complex characters with depth and empathy – a quality that would continue throughout his career.
The Road to Hollywood
After the success of "Heavy", Mangold ventured into mainstream cinema. With "Cop Land" (1997), a crime drama with a star-studded cast including Sylvester Stallone, Robert De Niro and Harvey Keitel, he established himself as a director who could work with both big names and challenging themes. The film was praised for its dense atmosphere and morally ambivalent characters.
Mangold quickly proved that he was not confined to one genre. With "Girl, Interrupted", he devoted himself to a psychological character study based on the memoirs of Susanna Kaysen. The film earned Angelina Jolie an Oscar and established Mangold as a director who could get strong performances out of his actors.
Action, Adventure and Musical Biographies
Mangold continued to diversify his work in the 2000s. With "Kate & Leopold" (2001), he proved that he could also master romantic comedies, before turning to another biographical story with "Walk the Line" (2005). The film about the lives of Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash was both a critical and box office success. Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon received immense acclaim for their performances, with Witherspoon winning the Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role.
In 2007, Mangold ventured into the western genre with "3:10 to Yuma". The movie, a remake of a 1950s classic, brought modern intensity and psychological depth to the genre and was praised for its action sequences and the performances of Christian Bale and Russell Crowe.
Modern Masterpieces
In the 2010s, Mangold experienced some of the greatest successes of his career. With "Logan" (2017), he created one of the most unusual and impressive superhero movies of recent decades. The film, which was intended to conclude the story of Hugh Jackman's Wolverine, was celebrated for its dark, character-centered storytelling and even received an Oscar nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay – a rarity for the superhero genre.
In 2019, Mangold returned with "Ford v Ferrari", a sports drama about the legendary duel between Ford and Ferrari at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans. The film, starring Matt Damon and Christian Bale, was a huge success and won two Oscars, including for Best Editing. It was another example of Mangold's ability to combine technical precision with emotional storytelling.
A Look Into the Future
In 2023, Mangold took over the direction of "Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny", the fifth installment in the legendary "Indiana Jones" series. The film once again demonstrated Mangold's ability to work with established franchises. However, the movie was not a particularly big success. This year, he will be responsible for "A Complete Unknown", a biopic about Bob Dylan. In the leading role: Timothée Chalamet.
