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We may finally have an update on the status of Rey’s long-awaited return to the Star Wars franchise.
Announced at Star Wars Celebration in 2023, the film – often described as Star Wars: New Jedi Order – is set roughly 15 years after The Rise of Skywalker. Daisy Ridley will reprise Rey, now a Jedi Master attempting to rebuild the Jedi Order in a galaxy still finding its footing after the First Order’s defeat.
Credit: Lucasfilm
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Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy remains attached to direct, while The Bourne Ultimatum (2007) co-writer George Nolfi is the latest screenwriter to tackle the project after Damon Lindelof, Justin Britt-Gibson, and Steven Knight. Ridley has also teased the introduction of new characters, although Lucasfilm has yet to announce a release date.
However, it looks like we could be closer to hearing more about the project.
Possible Production Update on Rey Film
As reported by Polygon, Star Wars: New Jedi Order is now listed as in development in a recent edition of Production Weekly.
Credit: Lucasfilm
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While that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s set to start filming soon, it does suggest that Lucasfilm hasn’t dropped the project, as many fans have feared in recent months.
There’s also a chance that the recent middling performance of The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026) has reignited the studio’s interest in the Skywalker Saga. While the sequel trilogy wasn’t exactly beloved by some fans, it still generated big numbers at the box office; the final installment, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019), performed worse than its predecessors but still managed to take home over $1 billion.
Some fans have also passionately pushed for the studio to greenlight a project starring Adam Driver’s Kylo Ren/Ben Solo. Driver spent roughly two years developing The Hunt for Ben Solo with director Steven Soderbergh, but Disney ultimately rejected the film, prompting petitions, billboards, and even a banner flown over its Burbank lot.
Credit: Lucasfilm
While Lucasfilm president Dave Filoni noted in August that “we’re not making that picture right now,” fans have theorized that elements of The Hunt for Ben Solo could instead be folded into Rey’s Jedi Order movie. With that story already set after The Rise of Skywalker, it would provide an obvious route back to Ben — although there is currently no confirmation that Driver or his character are involved.
What Do We Know About Star Wars: New Jedi Order?
Lucasfilm has offered one other major clue about the story: Rey’s attempt to establish a new generation of Jedi will face opposition from “powers that rise to tear it down.” That suggests the movie will explore not just training new Jedi, but the political and ideological resistance to their return.
Ridley has also indicated that Rey will approach teaching differently from Luke Skywalker. She has spoken about working with “different actors” this time around, suggesting the film will introduce a largely fresh ensemble, although Lucasfilm has yet to formally announce any cast members beyond Ridley.
Credit: Lucasfilm
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Nolfi, meanwhile, has suggested the screenplay will lean into the political ideas that have long underpinned Star Wars. He has cited George Lucas’s interest in democracy collapsing into empire and institutions becoming oppressive, while stressing that his job is to build on ideas already developed by Lucasfilm, Disney, and Obaid-Chinoy.
Finn is another sequel-era character whose future remains open. At MEGACON Orlando in March 2026, Boyega revealed he had spoken with Dave Filoni about the franchise (although whether that conversation specifically tackled a possible return is unclear). In August, he went further, saying he wants Finn to embrace his Jedi potential — although no involvement in Rey’s film is confirmed.
Credit: Lucasfilm
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Poe is still a possibility, although nothing has been announced. Oscar Isaac told Variety in 2025 that he would return to Star Wars “if there was something good to do,” and remained receptive in April, answering “Maybe?” when asked whether Poe could appear again.
Luke Skywalker, however, looks far less likely. Mark Hamill was directly asked about appearing as Luke’s Force ghost in Rey’s movie and effectively ruled himself out, saying he had “had my time” and believes Star Wars should focus on its future and new characters instead. In the past, a de-aged version of the character has appeared in The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett.
For now, Star Wars: Starfighter is the only upcoming Star Wars movie with a firm release date. Shawn Levy’s standalone film hits theaters May 28, 2027, and follows Ryan Gosling’s Kade Auberon, a cynical rogue drawn into a galaxy-spanning adventure roughly five years after The Rise of Skywalker.
Do you think Lucasfilm will ever make its Rey film?
