TheStar Warsmovie set to followDaisy Ridley’s Rey and pick up from where 2019’sThe Rise of Skywalkerleft off is facing another hurdle.Varietyreports that the film has lost its screenwriter,Steven Knight, who boarded the project in March 2023, replacing original scribesDamon LindelofandJustin Britt-Gibson. Given such unfortunate news, production will likely not start until later next year or thereabouts, as Lucasfilm is actively discussing with potential writers to take on the story.
As previously announced, the newReymovie will center on the title character’s efforts to start a new Jedi Academy. Ridley has been playing the role since 2015, when the sequelStar Warstrilogy films came to life withThe Force Awakens, which gained her global recognition. The second in the trilogy,The Last Jedi, then came about in 2017, and the third,The Rise of Skywalker, in 2019.
Besidesthe Rey movie, anotherStar Warsmovie,The Mandalorian and Grogu, from directorJon Favreau, is in the works. The film is scheduled to premiere in May 2026, with Disney slating two moreStar Warsfilms for December 2026 and December 2027 without confirming their titles yet. During the 2023Star WarsCelebration event in London, Lucasfilm presidentKathleen Kennedyannounced that in addition to the Rey picture, Disney was developing films with directorJames Mangold(Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny) and withDave Filoni. Filoni is Lucasfilm’s chief creative officer and executive producer of the Disney+ seriesAhsokaandThe Mandalorian.
Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy Will Still Direct The ‘Star Wars’ Rey Movie
While fans may feel distressed about Knight’s exit,Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoyis still attached to direct theRey film, which would be her feature debut. She previously directed episodes of the Disney+ seriesMs. Marvelafter twice winning the Oscar for Best Documentary Short Film. Obaid-Chinoy looks forward to bringingRey’s storyto the big screens, and fans sure as hell can’t wait. The director said while discussing her latest documentary about designerDiane von Furstenberg, which premiered on Hulu in June, that theStar Warsstory “that interests me most is inRey’s journey as a female Jedi. That’s how I can best bring my experiences to it.”
As for Knight, who’s a force to reckon with in both film and TV, he is credited for writing the screenplay for the upcomingMaria CallasbiopicMariawithAngelina Jolieand a feature film adaptation of the acclaimedPeaky BlinderswithCillian Murphy. Other projects he has worked on include the FX seriesThe Veil, Disney+‘sA Thousand Blows,and the BBC’sThis Town.
More information about the upcoming Rey movie has yet to be announced, but fans can streamThe Rise of Skywalkeron Disney+ in the meantime. Stay tuned to Collider for further updates.
Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker
In the riveting conclusion of the landmark Skywalker saga, new legends will be born-and the final battle for freedom is yet to come.
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