Earlier this month a report once again went around that the untitled Rey Skywalker film being written by Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders) and set to be directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy (Ms. Marvel) was titled Star Wars: Episode X: A New Beginning. This title has propped up as a title multiple times since the project was formally announced in April of last year. It’s never come from a reliable outlet or individual, but manages to rear its head every few months. It’s even been denied in the past when when outlets and individuals reached out to Lucasfilm for comment. Fans have dubbed the film New Jedi Order, and that’s apparently a working title, so that’s what I’ll refer to the project as until there’s an official title announced by Lucasfilm and Disney.
The report that included the bogus title also had a a start date for filming in early September of this year. I do not believe this to be the case. Months ago I asked sources about filming on the project and was told it probably was no longer going to be this calendar year, 2024. When this September rumour started making the rounds, I once again asked sources about the status of filming – I was told that it currently is not on the calendar for this year and that it more than likely will not shoot this year. That’s not to say that it won’t, but at least as of now, it’s not set to.
The September start rumour might’ve been outdated information and it probably is. The flick was initially due to begin filming in April of this year, but that was pre WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, though many continued to report it was due to film in April in the earlier months of this year.
When I asked a couple of months ago about filming and when I asked again recently, the reason I was told that filming keeps getting delayed was due to script issues. Lucasfilm very much want to make sure the script is right before moving forward and don’t want to rush the process. One source even thought Lucasfilm might be looking for a new writer to come on board the project. But just because Lucasfilm may be looking for a new writer, that does not mean that Steven Knight is off the project – that is not what I’m saying. Lucasfilm could be looking for a new writer simply to help Knight with the script or even bringing somebody in to help polish the script. I think Knight is still involved and will continue to be involved.
Initially when New Jedi Order was announced in April of 2023, it was believed to be the first Star Wars film back in theatres since 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker and an untitled Star Wars movie was dated for May 22nd, 2026. Lucasfilm never publicly committed a film for that date until earlier this year when The Mandalorian and Grogu was announced, a follow-up film to the hit Disney+ series, The Mandalorian, with filming expected to begin soon. It was reported earlier this year by TheInsneider that New Jedi Order would likely release on December 18th, 2026 and that James Mangold’s Dawn of the Jedi (working title) would release on December 17th, 2027. No other Star Wars release dates have been announced, but the same report from TheInseider also mentioned Dave Filoni’s untitled MandoVerse crossover event film would likely release in 2028. Filoni is currently focusing his efforts writing the second season of Ahsoka for Disney+.
I’m glad that Lucasfilm are taking their time with New Jedi Order and aren’t rushing to meet a release date, making sure that the script is up to standard before getting cameras rolling. Something that hasn’t always been the case. Hopefully we get to learn more about the project in the coming months and I’ll be sure to update readers if I hear anything myself.
