Crimson Dawn : A Star Wars Story (2026)

Synopsis: The Empire Rules. Crime Controls.

Set between Solo: A Star Wars Story and Star Wars: Rebels, Crimson Dawn follows the internal rise and external expansion of the Crimson Dawn criminal empire. After the fall of Dryden Vos, Qi’ra (played again by Emilia Clarke) assumes leadership, only to discover that true control belongs to a more dangerous master—Darth Maul, operating from the shadows.

As the syndicate rises to dominate spice trade routes, weapons black markets, and Outer Rim politics, rival gangs, bounty hunters, and Imperial agents begin to close in. In this lawless galaxy, power is earned with blood and betrayal.

Main Cast & Characters

• Emilia Clarke as Qi’ra – calculating, conflicted, and more dangerous than ever.

• Sam Witwer (voice) / Ray Park (stunts) as Darth Maul – the dark puppetmaster with unfinished business.

• Diego Luna as Cassian Andor (cameo) – working undercover against the syndicates.

• Sung Kang as Rin Narros – a rogue assassin hired by the Hutts.

• Sophie Thatcher as Mira Vale – a young thief caught in a galactic turf war.

• Giancarlo Esposito as Moff Drellik – an Imperial officer hunting Maul for his own dark agenda.

Tone, Style, and Influence

Crimson Dawn is billed as Star Wars’ first true underworld film, blending elements of noir, espionage, and mob drama in the vein of The Godfather, Blade Runner, and Rogue One. Directed by Matthew Vaughn, the film trades Jedi temples and Rebel bases for neon-lit criminal dens, spice corridors, and assassins’ guilds.

Expect brutal lightsaber duels, stealthy infiltration sequences, and psychological warfare within the syndicate’s own ranks.

Production Highlights

• Director: Matthew Vaughn

• Writers: Joby Harold & Lawrence Kasdan

• Music: Michael Giacchino, blending the Star Wars theme with darker tones

• Runtime: Approx. 140 minutes

• Rating: PG-13 for intense sci-fi violence and thematic elements

Filming took place across Pinewood Studios and new volume stages, with exotic desert exteriors shot in Jordan and Tunisia—callback locations to classic Tatooine scenes.

Quote from the Director

“This is Star Wars like you’ve never seen it. No Rebels. No Jedi. Just survival, betrayal, and raw power. Crimson Dawn shows what happens when the shadows fight back.”
— Matthew Vaughn

Release & Legacy

Crimson Dawn: A Star Wars Story launches December 2026 as part of Lucasfilm’s "Star Wars: Legends of the Fringe" series—stand-alone films that explore untold stories in the galaxy’s darker corners. It will be followed by an animated prequel series on Disney+ exploring Maul’s early rise after The Phantom Menace.