Yesterday was a big news day for Star Wars, albeit a confusing one to say the least.
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Deadline broke the news that Simon Kinberg, the writer behind the last three X-Men movies (Days of Future Past, Apocalypse, Dark Phoenix), Fantastic Four (2015) and co-creator of Star Wars: Rebels, was developing a new Star Wars trilogy for Lucasfilm. The exclusive report itself had mixed messaging with the outlet saying they heard the trilogy was episodes ten to twelve, but that some sources denied it. Though one thing that was clear was that the trilogy was not part of the Skywalker Saga (episodes one to nine).
The Hollywood Reporter followed up by confirming that Kinberg was writing a Star Wars trilogy, that the trilogy was not part of the Skywalker saga, but that they believed the trilogy was not episodes ten to twelve. However, they did mention that the trilogy would focus on a new story and new characters, but that some familiar faces from the Skywalker saga could pop up in the films.
There was no mention by either outlet as to what familiar faces would appear, but the natural assumption by many fans was Daisy Ridley’s Rey Skywalker. In 2023 it was announced officially that Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy (Ms. Marvel) was directing a movie that would see Ridley’s Rey building a new Jedi Order and some fans felt that if this Kinberg trilogy would feature a familiar face, Ridley’s Rey in a role akin to Obi-Wan Kenobi or a post Return of the Jedi Luke Skywalker would be a natural fit, with new leads taking the helm, with Daisy Ridley being the veteran actor and Rey Skywalker as the veteran character.
Now a reliable industry insider, Jeff Sneider aka The InSneider, has shared some details that he has heard regarding this Kinberg trilogy via his newsletter, which he graciously made available for free.
Sneider shared that he believes that the Kinberg trilogy will be positioned as episodes X, XI and XII, that the trilogy would focus on new characters and a new story (the one thing everybody can agree on) and that the familiar face is that of Rey Skywalker. Sneider revealed that he has heard that Daisy Ridley is slated to appear in the Kinberg trilogy as Rey Skywalker and that Rey “will be positioned as the Obi-Wan of the new trilogy.”
So where does that leave New Jedi Order? Sneider said that Lucasfilm have found a new writer for the project following Steven Knight’s exit, but he doesn’t know who that is at this time. Despite a new writer being hired, Sneider speculated whether or not Obaid-Chinoy’s New Jedi Order would come to fruition given that the Rey character plays a similar role in both projects. He also mentioned that an older Rey is rumoured to feature in Shawn Levy’s (Deadpool and Wolverine) untitled Star Wars movie, which is quite funny considering the original New Jedi Order writer, Damon Lindelof, initially had an elderly Rey in his script, which was ultimately tossed out for a script from Steven Knight that would feature a younger Rey.
Personally I’m with Sneider on this one, it feels weird to continue developing New Jedi Order if the Kinberg trilogy will feature Rey performing the same role. However, this is Lucasfilm and how many projects have they announced to be in development in recent years that we’ve not seen come to fruition? So I have no real issue with development continuing on both New Jedi Order and the Kinberg trilogy, chances are one of those projects doesn’t happen, heck there’s a good chance neither project reaches the big screen.
I’m still not thrilled at the Kinberg appointment, I like him as a producer, but his filmography as a writer can mostly be found on the rotten side of the scale on the tomatoes meter. I do like the idea of one writer being across the trilogy, it’s a breath of fresh air and a far cry from the sequel trilogy situation. I do hope that other writers come onboard to assist Kinberg with the trilogy and that the films find competent directors. Kinberg is a director, as well as a writer and producer, he directed X-Men: Dark Phoenix and The 355, but I hope they branch out. If New Jedi Order doesn’t happen, I’d quite like to see Obaid-Chinoy be given a chance at directing an entry in Kinberg’s trilogy, the same goes for Shawn Levy.
Lucasfilm are set to be present at D23 Brazil on Saturday, so maybe we’ll get an official update on Kinberg’s trilogy then, maybe this is how the news has got out. If not, I don’t expect an update until Star Wars Celebration in the Spring.
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