Wait. Let’s be honest for a second. Every time you open social media, there’s a new "leaked trailer" or a poster for a new Darth Vader movie that looks suspiciously like a high-end Photoshop job. You know the ones. They usually have a title like Vader: A Star Wars Story or Lord of the Sith and feature Hayden Christensen looking broody in a rainstorm. It’s easy to get sucked in.
But here is the reality check: as of early 2026, Disney and Lucasfilm haven't actually scheduled a standalone Vader film.
I know, that’s not what the clickbait said.
The truth is actually a lot more interesting than a fake poster. While there isn't a dedicated solo movie on the 2026 calendar, the Sith Lord is currently more "active" in the franchise than he has been in decades. We aren't getting one big movie; instead, we are getting a fragmented return across theme parks, streaming series, and the "Respeecher" AI technology that ensures his voice never truly dies.
The 2026 Release Schedule: Where is the Sith Lord?
If you're looking at the big screen, the "return to theaters" for Star Wars is officially led by The Mandalorian & Grogu, hitting cinemas on May 22, 2026. Directed by Jon Favreau, this is the project meant to prove Star Wars can still dominate the box office after a long hiatus. Vader doesn't fit into that timeline naturally—at least not in the "living" sense—given it takes place years after Return of the Jedi.
Then there's the Shawn Levy project, now titled Starfighter, which is reportedly eyeing a 2027 window.
But don't give up hope just yet. The real "Vader content" for 2026 is happening in two specific places: Disneyland and Disney+.
Starting April 29, 2026, Disneyland is making a massive pivot. They are finally breaking the "timeline lock" on Galaxy's Edge. For years, you could only see Kylo Ren because the park was stuck in the sequel era. Now? Darth Vader is officially a permanent roaming character. He’ll be patrolling Black Spire Outpost with a squad of Stormtroopers. It’s a massive admission from Disney that people want the classics.
On the streaming side, Hayden Christensen is confirmed to return for Ahsoka Season 2. Production is basically wrapped. We saw Anakin in the World Between Worlds in the first season, and the second season is expected to lean even harder into that "Force Ghost" or "memory" version of the character.
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Why a standalone Vader movie is a "Maybe"
Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy has been surprisingly vocal lately about which projects are on the "back burner" and which are "alive." In January 2026 interviews, she noted that while the James Mangold "Dawn of the Jedi" movie is still in flux, they are constantly evaluating "legacy" stories.
The problem with a Vader movie is simple: where do you put it?
- The Post-Revenge of the Sith Era: We already have Obi-Wan Kenobi and Jedi: Fallen Order.
- The Rogue One Era: We’ve seen the "hallway scene." Can you top that?
- The Comics: Charles Soule’s Legacy of Vader comic run just finished its 12-issue stint in January 2026. These comics cover his early days in the suit so well that a movie might just feel like a retread.
Honestly, the demand is there. Hayden Christensen told AV Club recently that he's "absolutely" down to lead a spin-off. He’s been doing the convention circuit—spotted at Emerald City Comic Con in March 2026—and the fan energy is nuclear.
The Voice That Never Dies
We have to talk about the late James Earl Jones. He passed away at 93, but before he left, he did something very "Sci-Fi." He signed over the rights to his vocal likeness to Lucasfilm and a Ukrainian startup called Respeecher.
This is why a new Darth Vader movie is technically possible at any time. They don't need a voice actor to do an impression. They have the algorithm. They used it in Obi-Wan Kenobi and they’ll use it again. It’s controversial, sure. Some fans think it’s "neutering the art," as voice actor Zeke Alton recently put it. Others just want to hear that iconic breathing in a Dolby Atmos theater one more time.
How to track real news (and avoid the fakes)
If you want to know the second a real movie is announced, stop looking at Facebook fan pages. They live on "concept trailers" that use footage from Fanboys and Revenge of the Sith.
Instead, watch for the Star Wars Celebration 2027 announcements. That is where the next "Big Three" movies will likely be detailed. Until then, your best bet for seeing the Dark Lord is Ahsoka Season 2 or booking a flight to Anaheim this April.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the Disneyland Calendar: If you want the "live" Vader experience, the Black Spire Outpost timeline shift starts April 29, 2026.
- Watch Ahsoka Season 2: This is the only place Hayden Christensen is officially slated to appear as Anakin/Vader this year.
- Follow Official Sources: Stick to StarWars.com or The Hollywood Reporter for film greenlights. If it isn't there, it’s just a rumor.