Steven Universe fans just got the news they desperately needed. After nearly a year of silence since the spinoff was announced, co-creator Ian Jones-Quartey took to X to confirm that work on “Steven Universe: Lars of the Stars” is still very much happening. Two words from him lit up the entire fandom overnight.
A Simple Post That Said Everything
6 On X, a fan reached out directly to Jones-Quartey asking, “Are you working for the spin off of Steven Universe: Lars of the Stars? And if it yes, can you give us some news about it?” Jones-Quartey replied, “Yes, we are still working on Lars Of The Stars but I don’t have any news to share yet.”
Short. Honest. And exactly what fans needed to hear.
9 Since its announcement in June 2025, the spinoff had seen relatively few public updates, leading some fans to speculate whether the project had been quietly deprioritized or put on the back burner. That one reply put all those fears to rest. 9 When another fan asked how long he thinks the work will continue, Jones-Quartey responded, “until it’s done or the studio tells them to stop.” That level of commitment speaks volumes.
Steven Universe Lars of the Stars Prime Video spinoff 2026
How This Spinoff Was Born
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That quote stopped fans in their tracks. This was not a studio-driven cash grab. This was a creator who genuinely missed her universe and came back because she had more to say.
Rebecca Sugar’s emotional connection to this project is the very reason fans should trust it.
3 Sugar also shared during the panel, “There’s something about Lars that makes rebellion feel tender. He’s someone who had to learn everything the hard way. I think a lot of us relate to that.”
Who is Lars and Why Does He Deserve His Own Show
If you stepped away from Steven Universe after the early seasons, you might remember Lars as the moody teenager behind the donut counter. But his story became one of the most unexpected arcs in the entire series.
9 Starting out as an insecure teenager and a bully to Steven, Lars pivoted into a major heroic role in Season 5 after forming a bond with the Off Colors, ultimately sacrificing himself to protect Steven and the group. While he did die, Steven managed to resurrect him, but Lars’s skin and hair turned pink, and he gained Gem-like abilities in the process. Some of his abilities include having a pocket dimension in his hair that connects to Lion’s mane for storage and teleportation, enhanced durability, and the fact that he no longer needs to eat or age normally.
That transformation is not just visual. It mirrors the kind of deep character growth that Steven Universe has always done better than almost any other animated series.
Here is a quick look at what sets Lars apart as the lead of this spinoff:
- He went from a self-loathing teenager to a fearless space captain
- He leads the Off Colors, a crew of outcast Gems rejected by Homeworld
- He has unique Gem-like powers that open the door for high-stakes action
- His unfinished story has been building since Season 5
9 Lars and the Off Colors were seen departing into space after Episode 9 of Steven Universe Future, “Little Graduation,” laying the groundwork for the space pirates’ wacky antics and their eventual mission to unlock the universe’s secrets.
What the New Series Will Actually Look Like
9 This sequel is set to explore the past, present, and future of the universe, chronicling the story of Lars Barriga, an eternal teenager, as he captains his pirate crew, the Off Colors, in crime-driven adventures while uncovering the terrifying secrets of the fallen Gem Empire.
The tone here is deliberately darker and more expansive than what the original show could explore with Steven at the center.
9 Aside from Lars Barriga, the spinoff is expected to highlight the core members of his ragtag pirate crew, the Off Colors, namely the Rutile Twins, Rhodonite, Padparadscha, and Fluorite. No other major returning characters like Steven and the Crystal Gems are slated to appear, but possible crossovers could happen. 9 The spinoff is expected to embrace a lively space-opera tone filled with pirate hijinks, reminiscent of the ragtag Ravagers from the Guardians of the Galaxy films, while placing Lars front and center to deliver the heartfelt emotional core that defines the Steven Universe franchise.
Think space adventure with real emotional stakes and not just action for the sake of action.
10 Taking Lars of the Stars to Prime Video may open the door for some slightly edgier storytelling, not unlike what Max’s Adventure Time spinoff Fionna and Cake did. That comparison is telling. Fionna and Cake was a massive hit precisely because it took creative risks the original show never could. Lars of the Stars has the exact same opportunity.
Why This Matters for the Whole Franchise
13 Steven Universe debuted with its Season 1 in 2013 and went on to become one of the most successful animated series on Cartoon Network. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a perfect score of 100 percent on the Tomatometer and a score of 84 percent on the Popcornmeter based on audience reviews.
That is a rare kind of legacy. Very few animated series carry that level of critical unanimity.
10 Steven Universe has always been a show that’s vibrant enough for young audiences while being suitably complex for older ones, creating a fandom that spans generations.
“Six years after its finale, Steven Universe is still held up as one of the greatest animated series of the century so far.”
3 There is no official release date yet, but 2026 is expected. The cast has not been confirmed, though Matthew Moy is likely to return as Lars. 12 The title “Lars of the Stars” refers to a Season 5 episode of the original Steven Universe series. In that episode, Lars grows into the role of a pirate captain, leading his group to rescue victims affected by the Gem Empire across the cosmos. The episode introduced concepts and storylines that had potential for much broader exploration, which the new series intends to develop further.
The groundwork was always there. Now the team finally has the room and the platform to build something worthy of it.
After six years of waiting, Steven Universe fans finally have proof that Lars of the Stars is not a dream project collecting dust on a shelf. Rebecca Sugar’s personal passion for this world, combined with Ian Jones-Quartey’s steady hand behind the scenes, gives this spinoff everything it needs to be something truly special. The Gem Empire’s darkest secrets are waiting to be uncovered, and Lars is just getting started. What do you think about the Lars of the Stars update? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and share this story with every Steven Universe fan you know.
