Star Wars New Jedi Order has been through a turbulent development but prior to the extended Hollywood strikes, the film was reportedly all good to go. Additionally, casting details have also popped up.
According Twitter user @FivesWalker, the New Jedi Order film was “ready to go” just before the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike. The film had an “exceptional team” of award-winning creatives. As longtime readers of Bespin Bulletin will know, Damon Lindelof was writing the Obaid-Chinoy-directed film. He was later asked to quit before the strike. Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight quickly took over writing responsibilities before also being ousted in 2024.
FivesWalker continued on Twitter saying that casting was actively underway for a male and female lead just before the Hollywood strikes began. It got late in the stage before a stop was put to it. At the time, the production was seeking a male person of color in his late teens or early twenties for a “bad boy” role that involved “romantic tension” with the female lead.
Back in the day when it was still a Lindelof-penned project, journalist Jeff Sneider revealed that had heard there would be a male and female lead, both being people of color. Sneider had said Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as the lead was a possibility but he was on the older side compared to the age range provided by FivesWalker.
Current Status Within Lucasfilm
As of today, the New Jedi Order film is still an idea being worked on albeit in a limited capacity. FivesWalker notes that it was shelved during the strikes as Lucasfilm want the film to be “exceptional”. Due to this reason, they’re giving it more time in the oven.
According to the new, potential insider, Lucasfilm hold Rey Skywalker in high regard. New Lucasfilm President Dave Filoni also is said to like her and is a “very special character” for senior executives there. Last October, FivesWalker claimed Filoni has been heavily involved with the New Jedi Order film.
Featuring Rey Skywalker played by Daisy Ridley, directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and written by George Nolfi, fans of Rey such as ourselves are hoping one day it does come to light. It has been over three years since it was announced at Star Wars Celebration in London.
This is now the third time in the past week or so we’re reporting on posts made by FivesWalker. Earlier in the week, they claimed that Luke Skywalker is going to appear in the next Tales of the Jedi season. Plus, Lucasfilm assembled a writer’s room for an upcoming live action show at the start of this year. It is too early to know if these claims are real. If they build a good track record, we will watch their career with great interest.
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