Immediate Next Film After Revenge of the Sith
The direct sequel in release order is Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which premiered in December 2015 and is the first installment of the sequel trilogy produced by Lucasfilm, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. The film features a new generation of characters alongside original trilogy heroes and was directed by J.J. Abrams, with a screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan, Michael Arndt, and J.J. Abrams. The Force Awakens grossed over 2 billion dollars worldwide and marked the first Star Wars theatrical release after Revenge of the Sith, which came out in May 2005. Lucasfilm announced the sequel trilogy in October 2012 following the acquisition of Lucasfilm by Disney.
In the Star Wars chronological story order, the film that follows Revenge of the Sith is also The Force Awakens, set approximately 30 years after the events of the prequel trilogy. The story jumps from the fall of the Galactic Empire and the redemption of Darth Vader to the emergence of the First Order and the Resistance. The sequel trilogy, consisting of The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, and The Rise of Skywalker, forms the ninth, tenth, and eleventh episodes in the overall Skywalker saga. The Force Awakens introduces Rey, Finn, and Poe Dameron as central protagonists while bringing back Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, and Han Solo.
Release Order and Chronological Placement
Star Wars Saga Episode Sequence
The full release order of the Skywalker saga places The Force Awakens as the first film after Revenge of the Sith, followed by Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Solo: A Star Wars Story, The Last Jedi, and The Rise of Skywalker. Rogue One, released in December 2016, is a prequel to the original 1977 film and tells the story of the theft of the Death Star plans. Solo, released in May 2018, covers the early adventures of Han Solo, Chewbacca, and Lando Calrissian. The chronological internal timeline runs from Episode I through Episode IX, with Rogue One and Solo fitting between Episode III and Episode IV.
Box Office and Production Details
The Force Awakens was produced with a reported budget of around 245 million dollars and became the highest-grossing film domestically in the United States and Canada at the time of its release, according to box office tracking data. The Walt Disney Company reported strong merchandise and licensing revenue tied to the film, reinforcing the franchise's position as a top global entertainment property. Lucasfilm, under the leadership of Kathleen Kennedy as president, oversaw the production of the sequel trilogy, with Abrams returning to direct The Force Awakens and The Rise of Skywalker, and Rian Johnson directing The Last Jedi.
Lucasfilm and Franchise Strategy
Post-Revenge of the Sith Franchise Direction
After the release of Revenge of the Sith, Lucasfilm shifted focus to the Star Wars sequel trilogy, with Disney acquiring the company in 2012 for approximately 4 billion dollars. The acquisition included ownership of all Star Wars intellectual property, enabling new theatrical releases, series, and expanded universe content under the Lucasfilm banner. The sequel trilogy was designed to bridge the gap between the prequel and original trilogies, introducing new characters and factions such as the First Order, the Resistance, and the Knights of Ren.
Current Status of the Star Wars Film Slate
As of the latest public announcements, Lucasfilm has multiple Star Wars films in various stages of development, with new projects continuing the saga beyond The