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Over a year ago we learned from a report by Jeff Sneider via The Ankler that the mind behind critically acclaimed TV series such as Lost, The Leftovers and HBO’s Watchmen, Damon Lindelof, was penning a Star Wars movie for Lucasfilm and Disney. In the months that followed we learned that Lindelof had found a co-writer in Justin Britt-Gibson (Into the Badlands), founded a writers room, a director in Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and that the project had gained massive momentum and confidence at Lucasfilm, with the film reportedly setting a course to release in December 2025.
However in March we learned that Lindelof had exited the project he’d been working on for at least a year days after turning in a draft to the studio. As Lindelof and Britt-Gibson headed for the exit door, a new one opened for Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, who was brought in to write a new draft of the script following Lindelof’s efforts which Lucasfilm reportedly weren’t very happy with according to Jeff Sneider of The Hot Mic. Sneider reported that Lindelof’s draft was not very good, and that the writer had issues with the films director, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, who was brought on by Lucasfilm president, Kathleen Kennedy, without consulting Damon Lindelof.
The movie Lindelof was working on was officially announced at Star Wars Celebration by Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy and director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, who revealed that the film is set fifteen years after Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and will follow Rey Skywalker building a new Jedi Order, as Daisy Ridley was brought on stage to thunderous applause. The film is reportedly still aiming for release in December 2025 and will mark a return to theatres for Star Wars for the first time in six years.
Since departing the project, fans have yet to hear from Damon Lindelof or co-writer Justin Brit-Gibson, but the former is currently promoting his next effort, a TV series for Peacock titled Mrs. Davis, which debuts on the streaming service on April 20th and currently boasts 93% on Rotten Tomatoes. As expected, Lindelof during the promotional run for his upcoming series has been asked about his defunct Star Wars script by Variety. Lindelof told the outlet that the script and film was a “true labour of love”. Lindelof went on to explain to the outlet that the film he was developing is still happening, confirming the project he was involved in was the one being taken over by Steven Knight, but he “unfortunately” is no longer part of it. Though Lindelof seems legitimately disappointed to no longer be on the project, he offered up some kind words for the films director and the project, telling Variety, “I wish them all the best of luck. Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy is an incredible director, and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with.”
Unfortunately the Lost scribe didn’t divulge many other details regarding the script, or his time working with Lucasfilm, but it’s nice to see him wishing his former collaborators well. Though I’m throughly disappointed Lindelof isn’t seeing this project through, I’m still very much looking forward to the film as Knight is a more than capable replacement and Obaid-Chinoy is certainly an interesting and exciting director for the project.
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