Over the course of several months, it feels as if Daisy Ridley has been giving the same answer regarding the status of her Rey Skywalker fronted Star Wars movie being directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy (Ms. Marvel). It’s usually something along the lines of that she thinks the story is cool, she knows certain elements, but has been waiting to read a script. This isn’t a criticism of Ridley by any means. Absolutely not. The actress has been busy this year promoting her films Sometimes I Think About Dying and Magpie, and is also due to promote her next effort, The Young Woman and the Sea, soon. Naturally when an individual associated with Star Wars is doing press for another project, they’re always asked about Star Wars, with Ridley having an honest, yet diplomatic and ready made response – as she should. However, it now seems as if things are moving regarding the New Jedi Order movie, and Ridley is inching ever closer to finally reading a script to a movie she’s been attached to for over a year.
Today Empire Magazine launched their latest issue which features the upcoming Star Wars live-action Disney+, The Acolyte, on the cover. The Acolyte is undoubtedly the focus in the issue, but they do have some brief quotes from Daisy Ridley, the most interesting one being that she’s expecting to read the script for the New Jedi Order movie next month.
“I know the story beats, but other than that, I’m not sure what it’s going to be. But I’m reading a script next month. I’m curious about it all.” – Daisy Ridley via Empire
Steven Knight, the creator of Peaky Blinders, was brought in well over a year ago to pen the latest drafts of New Jedi Order. Knight took over writing duties on the project following the departure of the films original writers, Damon Lindelof (Watchmen) and Justin Brit-Gibson (Into the Badlands). Knight, according to Kathleen Kennedy, the president of Lucasfilm, was due to submit his first draft in mid-May last year, but the Writers Guild of America strike kicked off on May 2nd, and Knight was pencil’s down until the end of September when the strike was resolved.
It was long rumoured, believed and expected that the New Jedi Order film was originally set to lead Star Wars’ return to the big screen. Shortly after the announcements of the New Jedi Order, an untitled MandoVerse crossover film by Dave Filoni (Ahsoka) and an origins of the Jedi movie from James Mangold (Logan), Lucasfilm announced three release dates – May 22nd 2026, December 18th 2026 and December 17th 2027. The New Jedi Order effort was believed to be targeting the May 2026 window.
Over half a year later and Lucasfilm announce The Mandalorian and Grogu, a follow up theatrical film to the hit Disney+ series, The Mandalorian, set to be directed by the series creator, Jon Favreau. Lucasfilm and Disney confirmed that The Mandalorian and Grogu would now lead their Star Wars theatrical slate and it’s since been confirmed that the Favreau effort will arrive on the big screen on May 22nd, 2026.
Earlier this year, TheInsneider reported that the Daisy Ridley led New Jedi Order would follow The Mandalorian and Grogu, and that the film is currently looking to release on December 18th, 2026. Lucasfilm and Disney have yet to confirm the reports and it’ll likely be quite sometime before they do, if they ever do – plans could easily change.
It’s great to see that there’s positive movement on the New Jedi Order film and hopefully Lucasfilm and co. are happy with Knight’s latest draft and we could see the film enter production by the years end or early next year. Knight is currently busy with a plethora of projects including a Peaky Blinders movie and a recently announced TV series, House of Guinness. Ridley also has her hands full and is currently in Australia shooting a film titled, We Bury The Dead. Knights next effort, The Veil starring Elizabeth Moss premieres later this month of Hulu/Disney+ and Ridley can next be seen in The Young Woman and the Sea which is due to have a limited release on May 31st.
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