Star Wars may not be leaving the Skywalkers behind after all.Credit: LucasfilmDespite Lucasfilm moving forward with movies outside of the Skywalker Saga, it seems that Luke Skywalker is set to return to the franchise. But how did we get here? Following the resignation of former Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy, Dave Filoni (Chief Creative Officer) was elevated to co-President of the Disney-owned studio, along with Lynwen Brennan, who serves as the business lead.The new leadership comes at an important time for the Star Wars franchise as the studio makes its big return to movie theaters almost seven years after Star Wars: Episode IX–The Rise of Skywalker (2019). Next month, Jon Favreau’s The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026), starring Pedro Pascal, will debut, and in 2027, Lucasfilm’s first-ever “standalone” movie, Star Wars: Starfighter.Credit: LucasfilmWith tempered expectations around The Mandalorian and Grogu, and only Ahsoka Season 2 in production on the Disney+ front, it seems the once stable Mando-Verse is winding down. Even Dave Filoni’s own New Republic era movie is said to be in limbo due to priorities shifting at Lucasfilm. Not only that, but The Mandalorian and Grogu is all but confirmed to be The Mandalorian Season 4’s replacement, so where does that leave the franchise moving forward?Well, while Star Wars live-action media is a murky subject, the studio has had continued success with its animated exploits. From the early years with Star Wars: The Clone Wars to more recent entries like The Bad Batch and the currently airing Star Wars: Maul–Shadow Lord, animation is a big win for Lucasfilm. And then there’s the popular Tales anthology series.Credit: LucasfilmLucasfilm’s Tales anthology series has quietly become one of the most compelling corners of modern Star Wars storytelling, offering bite-sized animated arcs that dive deeper into fan-favorite characters and unexplored moments across the galaxy. First launched with Tales of the Jedi in 2022, the series set the tone with a collection of short episodes centered on Ahsoka Tano and Count Dooku, expanding their backstories in ways that added emotional weight and new perspective to the larger saga.The format proved immediately effective. Rather than committing to full-length seasons or sprawling narratives, the anthology approach allowed Lucasfilm Animation to tell tightly focused stories—each one filling in gaps, reframing familiar events, or shining a light on lesser-seen chapters of a character’s life. The result was a series that felt both accessible and essential, particularly for longtime fans eager to see more of the franchise’s deeper lore explored.Credit: LucasfilmFollowing the success of Tales of the Jedi, Lucasfilm continued to build on the concept with subsequent installments. Tales of the Empire shifted the spotlight to figures aligned with the dark side of the galaxy, while Tales of the Underworld explored stories rooted in crime and survival beyond the reach of the Jedi and Sith. Each entry maintained the same anthology structure, reinforcing the idea that the Tales banner could serve as a flexible storytelling platform capable of moving between eras, tones, and perspectives.With that foundation in place, attention has now turned to what could come next—and according to a new report, the series may be preparing to return to where it all began, this time with one of the franchise’s most iconic heroes at its center.Credit: LucasfilmA rumor circulating online suggests that Tales of the Jedi could be making a comeback, with Luke Skywalker positioned as the lead character in a new batch of episodes. While details remain limited and unconfirmed, the report indicates that the character would take on a central role similar to Ahsoka Tano’s in the original run, anchoring the narrative across multiple shorts.If accurate, the move would mark a significant shift for the anthology series. Up to this point, Tales of the Jedi has largely focused on characters whose stories unfolded on the periphery of the Skywalker Saga, using the format to enrich their arcs without directly revisiting the core trilogy heroes. Bringing Luke Skywalker into the fold would represent a more direct engagement with the saga’s central legacy—something that could carry both excitement and expectation in equal measure.Credit: LucasfilmIt’s no secret that Luke’s portrayal in the sequel trilogy sparked considerable debate among fans. After a brief, silent appearance at the end of Star Wars: Episode VII–The Force Awakens (2015), the character took on a far more complex and controversial role in Star Wars: Episode VIII–The Last Jedi (2017), depicted as a disillusioned Jedi Master who had retreated from the galaxy. His story concluded with a sacrificial act that allowed the Resistance to escape, followed by a brief return as a Force ghost in Star Wars: Episode IX–The Rise of Skywalker.An animated anthology could provide the perfect space to revisit Luke at different points in his life, potentially focusing on his efforts to rebuild the Jedi Order or his journeys across the galaxy in the years following the original trilogy.The format itself lends well to that kind of storytelling. With episodes typically running under 20 minutes, Tales of the Jedi can explore key moments without the need for a single overarching plot. That opens the door to a variety of possibilities: Luke training new students, uncovering ancient Jedi knowledge, or confronting challenges that help bridge the gap between Star Wars: Episode VI–Return of the Jedi (1983) and his later appearances.Credit: LucasfilmAnother question surrounding the rumor is whether Mark Hamill would return to voice the character. The actor has remained closely associated with Luke Skywalker for decades, and while recent Star Wars projects have used a combination of voice work, de-aging technology, and digital recreation to bring the character to life, an animated series would offer a more straightforward opportunity for Hamill’s involvement—if Lucasfilm chooses to pursue it.In recent years, Star Wars animation reveals have often aligned with May 4—also known as Star Wars Day—a date that has become a focal point for major announcements, trailers, and surprise releases. Both Tales of the Empire and Tales of the Underworld followed similar patterns, leading to speculation that any new project in the anthology series could be unveiled around the same time.Credit: LucasfilmIf a Luke Skywalker-led season is indeed in development, a May 4 reveal would make a great deal of sense, particularly given the character’s enduring popularity and the potential for renewed interest in his story. Still, in a franchise built on legacy, myth, and the enduring power of its characters, the possibility of seeing Luke Skywalker step back into the spotlight—even in animated form—is enough to spark plenty of anticipation.How do you feel about a new Star Wars series based on Luke Skywalker? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!The post Report: Luke Skywalker To Return To ‘Star Wars’ in New Series as ‘Mandalorian’ Replaced appeared first on Inside the Magic.