Kathleen Kennedy Maps Star Wars Future as Rey Film Status Unclear

Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy has provided a comprehensive update on the studio's upcoming film slate as she prepares to exit her leadership role. The executive discussed several Star Wars projects currently in development, offering new details on their progress and timelines.

Notably absent from the discussion was any mention of the previously announced standalone movie featuring Rey Skywalker. The film, first revealed with fanfare at Star Wars Celebration 2023, was intended to feature the return of Daisy Ridley as the character, exploring how she establishes a new era for the Jedi Order.

The standalone movie centered on Rey Skywalker was originally announced alongside director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and star Daisy Ridley. The project was positioned as a direct sequel to The Rise of Skywalker, set 15 years after the events of the film. Kennedy previously described the plot as exploring a post-war galaxy where the Jedi are in disarray.

We're post-war, post-First Order, and the Jedi are in disarray, and there's a lot of discussion around who are the Jedi, what are they doing, what's the state of the galaxy?

Kennedy explained that Rey would be attempting to rebuild the Jedi Order based on the sacred texts and her promise to Luke Skywalker. While the project was announced with significant enthusiasm, development has faced challenges, including the departure of writer Steven Knight. Despite these setbacks, Kennedy indicated the project has been in development for several years.

Lucasfilm is also developing a new trilogy of films from Simon Kinberg, known for directing Dark Phoenix and The 355. Kennedy provided an update on this project, noting that Kinberg submitted a draft in August that required significant revisions. The studio has since 'upended the story' and requested a detailed treatment.

The treatment, described as approximately 70 pages, was completed just four weeks ago. Kinberg is now expected to deliver a new script by March. While Kennedy referred to this as a 'trilogy,' the project appears to be in early development stages with no confirmed production timeline.

• Simon Kinberg's trilogy is in active development
• A 70-page treatment was recently completed
• New script expected by March 2026
• Project has undergone significant story revisions

Several high-profile Star Wars projects have been placed on hold or are progressing slowly. James Mangold's film, announced at the same 2023 Celebration event, is currently on the 'back burner.' Similarly, Steven Soderbergh's project, The Hunt for Ben Solo, faces significant obstacles. The film was reportedly blocked from progressing by Disney leadership, though Kennedy suggested it could still be made if someone was 'willing to take a risk.'

Other projects mentioned as still in development include Taika Waititi's film, originally announced in 2020, and Donald Glover's Lando project, discussed as far back as 2018. Kennedy indicated these projects remain 'somewhat alive' but will ultimately be decided by the new Lucasfilm leadership team.

Amid the various projects in various stages of development, only two Star Wars films have received definitive release dates. The Mandalorian and Grogu is scheduled to launch in theaters on May 22, 2025. This film represents the first Star Wars project to hit theaters since The Rise of Skywalker in 2019.

The second confirmed film is Star Wars: Starfighter, starring Ryan Gosling, which is set to arrive on May 28, 2027. This project marks a new direction for the franchise, though specific plot details remain under wraps. The confirmed slate represents a cautious approach to theatrical releases following the mixed reception of recent Star Wars projects.

As Kathleen Kennedy prepares to depart her role as Lucasfilm president, the studio's film slate remains in flux. The absence of the Rey Skywalker film from recent discussions raises questions about its status, though development may continue behind the scenes. The project's future likely depends on the new leadership team's priorities and the performance of upcoming theatrical releases.

The transition period represents a significant moment for the Star Wars franchise. With Dave Filoni set to succeed Kennedy, the studio's approach to film development may shift. The focus appears to be on completing projects already in the pipeline while carefully evaluating which concepts merit full production. Fans can expect updates on these projects as the new leadership team establishes its vision for the franchise's cinematic future.