Credit: LucasfilmThe galaxy far, far away is heading back to theaters — but perhaps the best Star Wars stories aren’t happening there anymore. Disney and Lucasfilm are preparing The Mandalorian & Grogu for release in May 2026, the franchise’s first film since Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker (2019), followed by Star Wars: Starfighter in 2027.
But while the movies push forward with new faces and new stories, some characters — especially Rey (Daisy Ridley) — are finding more room to breathe elsewhere.
At this year’s NYCC (New York Comic-Con), Lucasfilm announced “Star Wars: Legacy”, a new novel by Madeleine Roux set between Star Wars: Episode VIII — The Last Jedi (2017) and The Rise of Skywalker. The story follows Rey and her Jedi Master, Leia Organa, on a quest to repair Luke Skywalker’s lightsaber, and with it, the fractured Jedi legacy.
Roux, a lifelong fan of Carrie Fisher, told StarWars.com that writing Leia was both a privilege and a personal calling. “They’re almost intertwined,” she said of the late actress and her character. “I take it incredibly seriously.”
Related: Daisy Ridley’s ‘Star Wars’ TV Series Return Explained
“Legacy” also delves into the bond between Rey and Leia after Luke’s death as seen in The Last Jedi — a complex dynamic that reveals both women at their most uncertain. For Roux, revisiting Rey during a moment of doubt was “a lot of fun,” particularly as she learns to navigate her connection to the mother of her greatest adversary, Kylo Ren (Ben Solo).
Rey also returns in the new Audible Original “Star Wars: The Jaws of Jakku”, written by Cavan Scott and narrated by Helen Sadler. Also set just after The Last Jedi, it follows Rey, Finn, and BB-8 as they face dangers both physical and emotional beneath Jakku’s sands.
As Star Wars‘ recent films and live-action shows continue to divide fans, projects like “Legacy” and “The Jaws of Jakku” highlight a truth long recognized by diehards: the franchise often thrives most when it’s not bound by live action. Through novels, comics, and animation, the faraway galaxy continues to explore corners of the universe that live-action hasn’t yet done justice to — especially for characters like Rey, whose story is still unfolding beyond the screen. As for her next big-screen outing, which is said to take place 15 years after The Rise of Skywalker, it’s still reportedly in development despite no word on a release date.
“Legacy” releases on July 28, 2026. “ The Jaws of Jakku” is available on Audible now.
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