Yesterday a report from World of Reel claimed that the untitled Daisy Ridley led Star Wars movie set to be directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy (Ms. Marvel) had suffered a delay due to creative issues between Lucasfilm and the films writer, Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders). Now, a day later, another reputable outlet is denying the Reel report.
Before we continue with news of the day, I’d just like to share that you can support my work in two ways for which I’d be extremely grateful. Firstly it’s via my Patreon page which has a two tier’s at this time – one to simply to support my work and a second which features ad-free articles. Secondly you can tip me with a simple one off payment on my Ko-Fi page or you can choose to support my work monthly on the platform. I’d truly appreciate it if you decided to support my work, but no pressure, I know things are pretty tough out here. Anyway, back to the reason you came here – the news!
Today, Germain Lussier of Gizmodo, is responding to the the World of Reel report that set social media abuzz for the past twenty four hours, which I covered earlier today. In the Gizmodo article, Lussier shares that after speaking with a source close to Lucasfilm, that the World of Reel report is inaccurate – denying that the film has suffered a delay and that Steven Knight is still part of the writing process, with Lucasfilm awaiting his latest draft.
The World of Reel report from yesterday claimed that the untitled Rey Skywalker movie had been delayed indefinitely, meaning the film did not have a set release date and that the next Star Wars movie to be released in theatres would be the recently announced The Mandalorian and Grogu. In addition, World of Reel added that the reason for the delay was creative issues between Knight and Lucasfilm, with the studio giving him so many notes on the draft he turned in most recently, that he would have to start a draft from scratch. Lastly, the outlet added that Knight had grown frustrated and that there was a possibility that he might not stay on the project as he now focuses his efforts on his Peaky Blinders movie that is due to begin filming this Summer.
Now, I’m not taking sides here. Both reports could be correct in my opinion. The Reel article never said Knight was off the project, just that it was a possibility, and that he would be due to pen a new draft. The Gizmodo article states that Knight is still part of the writing process and that Lucasfilm are awaiting a new draft from the writer. Both don’t read drastically differently to me – Knight is currently still onboard and is supposed to submit a new draft of the script.
The only major difference in the reports is that World of Reel said the film has been indefinitely delayed and by the way some on social media has reacted, I’m unsure if they know what indefinitely delayed means. It doesn’t mean the film is scrapped, it doesn’t mean it’s cancelled, it just means that it’ll be delayed for an unspecified period of time. It simply means an unmeasured amount of time.
The Gizmodo report denies that the film has been indefinitely delayed. However the untitled Rey Skywalker film did not have a publicly announced release date, just that it was reported by various insiders and the trades that it was believed to be the next Star Wars film to be released in theatres. Daisy Ridley herself even said in November that she believes the film would be the next theatrically released Star Wars flick. Since June, there’s been an untitled Star Wars movie due to release in theatres on May 22nd, 2026 – Lucasfilm have never specified which of their announced films would take that slot.
Gizmodo adds in their report from the recently announced The Mandalorian and Grogu movie has thrown a “wrench” in fans assumptions that the untitled Rey Skywalker movie would be the next Star Wars movie to release. Gizmodo adds that the news has “merely shifted things around” and that Lucasfilm want to take their time with the Rey Skywalker movie and to make sure they get it right, which is most certainly something we all want.
In Lucasfilm’s announcement of The Mandalorian and Grogu last week, the studio shared that the film would enter production later this year and would lead their theatrical film slate which included the Daisy Ridley led film, Dave Filoni’s Mandalorian crossover event film and James Mangold’s untitled Star Wars movie.
So what’s releasing first? At least to me, from Lucasfilm’s press release, you would assume it would be The Mandalorian and Grogu based on the wording used. Again, Lucasfilm have never publicly committed a movie to the May 22nd, 2026 date that they are holding for a Star Wars movie, it was merely reported by reputable insiders and the trades. No film could suffer a public delay because no specific film was announced to be releasing on May 22nd, 2026.
Thank you for reading the article and if you enjoyed your read, or if you’re a regular reader of Bespin Bulletin then I kindly ask if you’d consider showing your support and appreciation by tipping me via my Ko-Fi page here, each tip is deeply appreciated or supporting my work via my newly launched Patreon page here. You can also listen to the latest episode of our podcast, BOB The Podcast, at the bottom of this page and on all good podcast services (new episodes release on Thursdays), where you can also sign up to a mailing list to receive and email each time I publish a new article and you if you’re not already doing so, follow me on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Threads, Hive, and Mastodon.
