Kathleen Kennedy Teases Star Wars Future—but Mysteriously Omits Rey’s Return

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Kathleen Kennedy, head of Lucasfilm, has provided information about forthcoming Star Wars ventures. She verified that multiple films are being worked on, though she failed to mention a potential Rey movie by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy.

It has been verified that the ‘Mandalorian and Grogu’ movie is being actively produced at this time. Following this, director Shawn Levy will commence work on his upcoming Star Wars project.

Apart from this, it has been verified that Simon Kinberg, who is both a writer and producer, is engaged in crafting a fresh Star Wars trilogy. At present, he’s working on the script, and enthusiasts should anticipate some advancements by June. Kennedy commended Kinberg’s previous collaborations with Lucasfilm and expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming venture. Kennedy described this sequence of films as “the next phase, the new narrative that guides us into the future.

Things are moving at a rapid pace, and they’ve been going incredibly smoothly. He’s currently in the process of writing something for us, as we speak. We expect to see some results around June. You might recall that Simon previously collaborated with us on an animated show, which was a truly delightful experience. Since then, he’s been occupied with the X-Men project but has recently become available again. He’s seamlessly transitioned into this new area, and we’re thrilled about where this is leading us.

Episode IX, approximately half a decade or so following the storyline of The Rise of Skywalker. As per Kennedy’s statements, this movie primarily focuses on introducing new characters, although there’s a possibility that some familiar ones might make an appearance as well.

This story featuring Shawn is set in the future and beyond the events of the first nine episodes of Star Wars. It’s estimated to be about five or six years after the ninth episode. The Mandalorian series, on the other hand, exists in a separate timeline within the New Republic era. We’re currently focusing on this particular space because we have a clear idea of where the Mandalorian story is headed. Additionally, most of the characters in this new story are brand new, although some from the sequel saga might make appearances.

Kennedy mentioned that Lucasfilm currently has several projects at an initial stage of production. She elaborated on the difficulty of recruiting skilled personnel for Star Wars films due to their lengthy time commitment, which typically lasts for about two to three years.

As a dedicated film enthusiast, I’m immersed in penning the script for my upcoming Star Wars prequel. My progress was temporarily halted due to my involvement with the Bob Dylan film titled “A Complete Unknown,” but now, I’m fully devoted to bringing this Star Wars story to life.

Affirmative. Simon is currently working on the script. We’ve been collaborating with him for nearly a year and a half, Shawn. As for Jim, his schedule got pushed back due to the Dylan movie and awards season. However, it’s crucial to make allowances for top-tier talent. After all, quality is paramount for our Star Wars project. I prefer to hold out for individuals who I believe are both passionate and exceptionally skilled when it comes to Star Wars.

Additionally, Kennedy referred to filmmaker Taika Waititi. Together with another writer, he’s penning a script for Star Wars. Kennedy has already reviewed the initial act and found it captivating. Yet, Waititi’s demanding timetable poses challenges in wrapping up the project swiftly.

It seems like Taika Waititi is currently collaborating with another writer, keeping him quite occupied. I’m really excited about this, as I believe any script he provides will be exceptional. I’ve already seen a first act that I adore, but coordinating his schedule can be challenging, given his high demand.

It’s interesting to note that Kennedy didn’t bring up Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s “New Jedi Order” movie during his remarks. This upcoming film is anticipated to revolve around Rey rebuilding the Jedi Order with ancient texts. The project was initially unveiled at the 2023 Star Wars Celebration, but it has since faced delays, moving forward slowly over the past two years.

The project has experienced several shifts in its writing team, with George Nolfi now assuming scriptwriting duties from Steven Knight. There have been persistent whispers about difficulties the studio has encountered with the movie. But, Daisy Ridley recently shared some news, stating that though she hasn’t read the script yet, she is aware of the storyline’s general outline—and her description of it is nothing short of exceptional.

I must admit, Kathleen Kennedy’s lack of comment about the “New Jedi Order” is a bit concerning, given her recent updates on Taika Waititi’s Star Wars film. Frankly, with all the rumors swirling around, many of us had assumed this project might be a lost cause. Yet, here we are, still hopeful and eager for any news from Kennedy herself.

Kennedy’s omission of New Jedi Order in discussions about future projects, even though he acknowledged other works with uncertain futures, hints at potential major issues brewing behind the scenes that Lucasfilm might be hesitant to disclose. With numerous writer changes and slow development, apprehension about the film’s outcome is escalating. If the project were thriving, we would likely have heard some positive updates or confirmation regarding its status by now.

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2025-03-01 01:14