David Bridges
Exploring the Lost Potential of Star Wars Underworld
In the expansive universe of Star Wars, one of the most intriguing “what ifs?” revolves around the ambitious project known as Star Wars Underworld. This television series was conceived by George Lucas and his dedicated team at Lucasfilm, who devoted years to its development before ultimately deciding to abandon it. The series promised to unveil a captivating new perspective on Coruscant, exploring the underbelly of the galaxy far, far away. Despite numerous scripts reportedly created for the series, the specifics surrounding its narrative and characters remain largely a mystery.
Recently, in an insightful interview, Rick McCallum, who served as George Lucas’ producer during the show’s development, shared fascinating insights into this long-lost (yet still cherished) project. One of the most staggering revelations was McCallum’s budgeting efforts, noting that the production costs peaked at an astonishing $40 million per episode. Multiplying that by 60 episodes totals a staggering $2.4 billion, which certainly explains the challenges of moving forward with such an expensive endeavor. McCallum discussed this during a segment on the Young Indy Chronicles podcast, shedding light on the ambitious scope of the project.
Unveiling the Creative Genius Behind Star Wars Underworld
“I think we had over 60 scripts. Third-draft scripts,” McCallum reveals in the aforementioned clip. “Again, the most wonderful writers in the world on it. We created an exceptional experience for everyone at [Skywalker] Ranch, showcasing a phenomenal group of talent.” The creative team behind Star Wars Underworld included some of the most talented writers in the industry, ensuring that the scripts reflected the depth and richness of the Star Wars lore.
Delving into the Dark and Complex Themes of the Show
“These stories were dark, sexy, and violent—absolutely wonderful,” McCallum continues. “They were complex and challenging, and they had the potential to revolutionize the entire Star Wars universe. Disney would never have considered acquiring it from George if it had come to fruition,” he laughs. This sentiment echoes the collective disappointment of fans and creators alike, as the series promised to explore themes and narratives that were far more intricate than what had been previously depicted in the franchise. However, the monumental scale of each episode, surpassing even the films, ultimately made the project untenable financially, with production costs reaching around $40 million per episode due to the technology available at the time.
Comparing Production Costs with Today’s Television Landscape
Even three decades later, the figure of $40 million per episode remains significant in today’s entertainment industry. For context, major contemporary series such as Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead typically operate within a budget range of $10 million to $20 million per episode, which is already considered quite hefty. Recently, some high-profile series have pushed the envelope, with reports suggesting that Netflix allocated nearly $30 million per episode for the latest season of Stranger Things, while Amazon is rumored to have spent close to $60 million per episode on Rings of Power. Therefore, a significant investment for a major Star Wars series today might be feasible, but back then, it was simply unmanageable. (It’s worth noting that The Mandalorian operates on a much lower budget than that.)
Diving Deeper into the Legacy of Star Wars Underworld
For those interested in the legacy of Star Wars Underworld, we encourage you to check out our previous article that showcases test footage commissioned by McCallum to pitch the show to television networks. Although it didn’t lead to the series’ production, this intriguing footage serves as a fascinating piece of trivia and history, reflecting the ambitious spirit of the project.
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Ethan Carter
