If you're a die-hard Star Wars fan, you've likely heard whispers about the legendary canceled series Star Wars: Underworld. Recently, producer Rick McCallum shed light on why this ambitious project never saw the light of day, revealing that each episode was projected to cost a staggering $40 million. To put that into perspective, McCallum explained, "The problem was that each episode was bigger than the films." Even with cutting-edge technology at the time, the lowest he could bring the budget down to was still a jaw-dropping figure.
This financial reality proved insurmountable, as McCallum admitted, "One of the great disappointments of our lives" was the inability to bring this vision to life. With 60 third-draft scripts penned by "the most wonderful writers in the world," the series promised a "sexy, violent, dark, challenging, complicated, and wonderful" take on the Star Wars universe. At $40 million per episode, the total price tag easily surpassed the billion-dollar mark, leaving even George Lucas unable to secure the necessary funding in the early 2000s.
McCallum noted that had Star Wars: Underworld been made, it "would’ve blown up the whole Star Wars universe," potentially altering the course of the franchise entirely. Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm and Lucas' subsequent retirement sealed the deal, ensuring the series remained shelved.
While McCallum didn't disclose specific plot details, fans speculate the series would have explored events between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope, introducing a brand-new cast of characters. The project aimed to expand the Star Wars universe significantly and target an adult audience, moving away from the teen and child demographics typical of previous installments.
First teased at Star Wars Celebration in 2005, Star Wars: Underworld tantalized fans with leaked test footage in 2020. However, despite these glimpses, it seems the series will remain a tantalizing "what-if" for Star Wars lore enthusiasts.
