Credit: LucasfilmThe galaxy far, far away just got a little smaller. According to new reports, Lucasfilm has reportedly shelved multiple Star Wars movie projects—including Taika Waititi’s mysterious film and now the Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy Rey movie—as the studio recalibrates its cinematic future amid an already crowded slate of upcoming titles.
Last year, it was reported that Disney had scrapped Taika Waititi’s untitled Star Wars movie, which had been in various stages of development since 2020. Waititi, known for his irreverent and unconventional storytelling in Thor: Ragnarok (2017) and Jojo Rabbit (2019), had previously hinted that his take on Star Wars would be bold, even admitting it might “piss people off.” However, sources, including insider Daniel Richtman, at the time claimed that Lucasfilm had decided to abandon the project altogether.
The studio then seemed to fill the void left by Waititi’s exit with renewed focus on Star Wars: Rogue Squadron, the long-delayed feature once helmed by Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins. That project, originally slated for a December 2023 release before being indefinitely delayed, was said to be “back in active development,” with Jenkins expected to return once her commitments to DC had concluded.
However, just months after those updates, a new report indicated that Taika Waititi was still on Lucasfilm’s radar. Studio President Kathleen Kennedy explained that she would love to work with the New Zealander when his schedule loosens up.
These latest moves underscore the uncertainty surrounding Lucasfilm’s film division. Over the past several years, multiple projects have entered and exited the development pipeline, with few making it to the big screen. The studio’s last theatrical release, Star Wars: Episode IX–The Rise of Skywalker (2019), marked the end of the Skywalker Saga. While television has flourished with hits like The Mandalorian, Andor, and Ahsoka, the movie side has remained in flux.
Now, more reports suggest that while the “New Jedi Order” movie remains suspended, Lucasfilm is actively pursuing the TV series-turned-feature film Lando.
According to a recent report from ComicBookMovie, Lucasfilm’s planned Star Wars movie centered on Rey is said to be waiting for approval on the latest version of the script, which—as previously confirmed—is being penned by George Nolfi.
The project has seen multiple creative shake-ups over time, having passed through the hands of writers Damon Lindelof and Justin Britt-Gibson before moving to Steven Knight, and eventually Nolfi. While this development may be disappointing for fans eager to see Rey return to the galaxy far, far away, it appears another long-discussed Star Wars project may be finding new life.
The outlet notes that the long-languishing Lando Calrissian spin-off, with Donald Glover expected to reprise his role from Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018), could be back in active development. Originally envisioned as a Disney+ series, the project was said to evolve into a feature-length theatrical film.
For now, The Mandalorian and Grogu from Jon Favreau and Shawn Levy’s Star Wars: Starfighter (2027) remain the only officially confirmed Star Wars features with release dates. Meanwhile, several other films are reportedly still in development, including the aforementioned Daisy Ridley-led project focusing on Rey rebuilding the Jedi Order, a feature from Dave Filoni that will culminate the New Republic-era storytelling seen on Disney+, and James Mangold’s “Dawn of the Jedi”—a film exploring the earliest origins of the Force.
Additionally, Simon Kinberg is developing an entirely new trilogy that exists outside the main Skywalker continuity, potentially opening the door for stories in previously unexplored corners of the galaxy.
Even so, Disney’s shifting release strategy suggests that Lucasfilm is still searching for the right project to reignite theatrical momentum. The studio’s previously reserved December 2026 release slot, once expected to feature a Star Wars title, was quietly replaced with 20th Century Studios’ Ice Age 6 (before that movie was also delayed, this time to February 2027).
Patty Jenkins previously acknowledged the difficulty of choosing the right story to relaunch the franchise, admitting in a past interview that the process of developing the “first movie” after The Rise of Skywalker was more challenging than expected. That same sense of creative caution appears to be driving Lucasfilm’s current approach—prioritizing focus and cohesion over sheer quantity of announcements.
While the futures of Rogue Squadron, Waititi’s movie, and the Rey film remain uncertain, Lucasfilm’s broader roadmap still includes several high-profile endeavors, with The Mandalorian and Grogu poised to be the franchise’s next theatrical milestone.
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