We've sensed a significant disturbance in the Force, akin to the cries of millions suddenly silenced in terror. Unfortunately, this disturbance brings some disappointing news about one of our most eagerly awaited new Star Wars movies. Remember the new Rey movie featuring Daisy Ridley, announced at Star Wars Celebration last year? Directed by Ms. Marvel's Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and initially penned by Steven Knight? Well, according to Variety, Knight has decided to cancel his journey to a galaxy far, far away and will no longer be writing the script.
Knight had previously taken over the project from Damon Lindelof and Justin Britt-Gibson, with the story set 15 years after the events of The Rise Of Skywalker. His departure comes as production gears up for his Peaky Blinders movie starring Cillian Murphy and Barry Keoghan. The reason for Knight's exit remains unclear—whether due to scheduling conflicts, creative differences, or simply a change of heart—but this development is likely to delay production on Ridley's Star Wars return until at least mid-2025, if not longer.
On a positive note, Obaid-Chinoy remains committed to directing the film. When Empire spoke to Ridley earlier this year, the actor expressed her enthusiasm for returning to the franchise, stating, "Honestly, if I wasn’t excited, I wouldn’t have done it. It feels like a great thing to be a part of." While the exact status of the Rey movie remains uncertain with Knight's departure, there are still plenty of Star Wars projects to look forward to. The Amblin-inspired series Star Wars: Skeleton Crew (now confirmed to feature Teek!) is set to premiere on December 4; Andor Season 2 is completed and expected to air in early 2025; and we still have upcoming seasons of Ahsoka, Jon Favreau's Mandalorian and Grogu movie, James Mangold's Jedi origins film, and a mysterious Shawn Levy Star Wars project in the works.
Despite this setback and the lingering disappointment over The Acolyte's cancellation, the Force remains strong with Star Wars, and we're optimistic about what the future holds.
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