The Untold Story of Star Wars: Underworld: A Vision Too Bold for Its Time

The Star Wars galaxy, a sprawling canvas of adventure, heroism, and epic conflict, has captivated audiences for generations. Beyond the theatrical films and animated series lies a tantalizing "what if?" scenario: Star Wars: Underworld. This ambitious live-action television project, conceived by George Lucas himself, promised a gritty, mature exploration of the Star Wars universe, delving into the criminal underbelly of Coruscant. While the project ultimately languished in development hell, the details emerging about it paint a picture of a groundbreaking show that could have redefined the Star Wars narrative.

Star Wars: Underworld was envisioned as a stark contrast to the family-friendly adventures that defined the core franchise. Set against the backdrop of Coruscant’s sprawling cityscape, the show would have explored the lives of smugglers, bounty hunters, and other denizens of the galaxy’s underworld. It would have been a character-driven drama, focusing on the moral ambiguities and struggles of individuals caught in the crossfire of galactic power struggles.

The scale of Lucas’s vision was immense. For years, he and a team of writers at Lucasfilm labored on the project, crafting a complex and intricate narrative that spanned multiple seasons. Numerous scripts were written, each one delving deeper into the lives and stories of the characters inhabiting the underbelly of Coruscant. However, the show never made it beyond the scripting stage. The immense cost of production became a major obstacle, ultimately leading to the project’s demise.

Rick McCallum, George Lucas’s producer during that period, recently shared new insights into the reasons behind Star Wars: Underworld’s cancellation. Speaking on the Young Indy Chronicles podcast, McCallum revealed the staggering financial challenges that plagued the project. He explained that the lowest he could realistically budget the show was $40 million per episode. With plans for 60 episodes, the total cost would have amounted to a staggering $2.4 billion. This massive price tag proved to be a significant deterrent, as no studio or network was willing to take such a substantial risk.

McCallum emphasized the high quality of the scripts and the talent involved in the project. "I think we had over 60 scripts. Third-draft scripts," he stated. "Again, the most wonderful writers in the world on it. And again, we created exactly the same experience for everybody at [Skywalker] Ranch, and again just a phenomenal group of talent."

The scripts for Star Wars: Underworld were described as dark, sexy, and violent, exploring complex and challenging themes. McCallum believed that the show would have revolutionized the Star Wars universe, presenting a side of the galaxy far, far away that audiences had never seen before. The content was so mature that McCallum joked Disney never would have bought Lucasfilm if Star Wars: Underworld had been produced before the acquisition.

The cancellation of Star Wars: Underworld remains a source of disappointment for many fans and those involved in the project. It represented a unique opportunity to explore the Star Wars universe in a more mature and nuanced way. The show’s focus on the criminal underworld and the moral complexities of its characters would have provided a fresh perspective on the galaxy far, far away.

While the $40 million per episode price tag seemed exorbitant at the time, it is important to consider the context. McCallum was trying to realize Lucas’s vision using the technology available at the time. The visual effects and production design required to create a believable and immersive Coruscant underworld would have been incredibly demanding.

In today’s world, with advancements in visual effects and production techniques, the cost of producing a show like Star Wars: Underworld might be more manageable. However, $40 million per episode is still a significant investment. Many high-end shows, such as Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead, cost between $10 million and $20 million per episode. More recently, streaming services have pushed the boundaries even further, with Netflix reportedly spending close to $30 million per episode on Stranger Things and Amazon reportedly spending almost $60 million each on Rings of Power.

While a Star Wars show costing $40 million per episode might not be entirely out of the question today, it would still be a major financial gamble. The Mandalorian, a successful Star Wars series on Disney+, costs significantly less per episode.

Despite its cancellation, Star Wars: Underworld remains a fascinating piece of Star Wars history. The scripts, the concept art, and the test footage offer a glimpse into what could have been. McCallum even commissioned test footage to showcase the show’s potential to television networks, but the high cost remained a barrier. The project stands as a testament to George Lucas’s boundless creativity and his willingness to push the boundaries of the Star Wars universe.

Whether Star Wars: Underworld will ever be resurrected remains to be seen. The current landscape of television production is vastly different from what it was when the show was first conceived. Streaming services have opened up new possibilities for storytelling and production budgets. Perhaps one day, a studio will be willing to take the risk and bring Lucas’s vision to life.

In the meantime, Star Wars fans can only imagine what Star Wars: Underworld might have been. The show’s dark, sexy, and violent stories, set against the backdrop of Coruscant’s criminal underworld, would have offered a unique and compelling perspective on the Star Wars galaxy. It would have been a bold and ambitious project, one that could have redefined the Star Wars narrative for a new generation of fans. The legacy of Star Wars: Underworld serves as a reminder of the creative possibilities that lie within the Star Wars universe and the challenges of bringing those visions to fruition.