Lucasfilm Seeks New Developer for Star Wars Battlefront 3 Amid Early Talks with DICE and Bungie

Key points

• Lucasfilm is actively seeking a development partner for a potential Star Wars Battlefront 3, according to a rumor in Electronic Gaming Monthly issue 265.
• EA DICE and Bungie are the two studios reportedly circling the project, with no confirmed deal or production start as of October 2026.
• The rumor highlights the sustained popularity of Star Wars Battlefront 2, which remains the best-selling Star Wars game despite its controversial 2017 launch.
• Bungie’s potential involvement is linked to its recent work on the Star Wars-themed Destiny 2: Renegades expansion, though the studio is currently facing internal challenges.
• Jeff Grubb, a contributor to Electronic Gaming Monthly, read the rumor on the Game Mess Mornings podcast, emphasizing that the talks are in very early stages.

Background

Star Wars Battlefront 2, developed by DICE and released in 2017, faced significant backlash over its loot box mechanics but has since regained popularity through community-driven content updates. Lucasfilm Games Vice President Douglas Reilly previously cited Battlefront as central to their future strategy. Bungie, known for Halo and Destiny, recently collaborated with Lucasfilm on the Destiny 2: Renegades expansion, which featured Star Wars-inspired elements. However, Bungie has faced recent layoffs and development challenges, including a viral rumor about merging Marathon and Destiny 2, which the studio denied in September 2026.

How outlets are covering it

Electronic Gaming Monthly (via Jeff Grubb) and The Game Post emphasize that the talks are in early stages, with no confirmed deal or production start. They note that DICE is the more likely candidate due to its prior work on Battlefront 1 and 2, while Bungie is a less expected but possible option. Insider Gaming highlights the uncertainty, stating that no official comments have been made by Lucasfilm, EA, or Bungie, and that fans should not expect a release for several years. OpenCritic briefly mentions the rumor but provides minimal detail, focusing on the potential for a new Battlefront game. All sources agree that the rumor is unconfirmed and should be taken with caution.

Why it matters

A new Star Wars Battlefront game could revitalize the franchise, which has seen sustained popularity despite the controversial launch of Battlefront 2. The involvement of major studios like DICE and Bungie could signal a significant investment in the Star Wars gaming ecosystem. However, the early-stage nature of the talks and the lack of official confirmation mean that the project remains speculative. For fans, this rumor offers hope for a new entry in the series, but it also highlights the challenges of developing a sequel to a game that faced significant backlash.

What to watch

The next steps would involve Lucasfilm finalizing a deal with either DICE or Bungie, if the talks progress. If a deal is reached, the development process could take several years, given the complexity of a new Star Wars game. Fans should monitor official announcements from Lucasfilm, EA, or Bungie for confirmation. In the meantime, the continued popularity of Battlefront 2 and community-driven content updates may influence the direction of any new project.