The future of Star Wars on the big screen is once again shifting. New and former reports indicate that Lucasfilm has paused several projects—including Taika Waititi’s in-development film and the long-anticipated Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy Rey movie—as the studio refines its cinematic roadmap amid an increasingly crowded schedule.
Taika Waititi’s project, first announced in 2020, was reportedly scrapped last year. The filmmaker behind 2017's Thor: Ragnarok and 2019's Jojo Rabbit had teased a fresh and risky approach to the franchise, even joking that it might “piss people off.” Still, insider Daniel Richtman and other sources claimed that Lucasfilm ultimately shelved the movie after years in limbo.
Attention then turned to Star Wars: Rogue Squadron, the much-delayed film originally helmed by Wonder Woman’s Patty Jenkins. The feature, once slated for a December 2023 release, was said to be “back in active development.”
Soon after, however, signs emerged that Waititi hadn’t entirely left the galaxy. Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy confirmed she’d love to work with him again once timing permitted—suggesting that door isn’t fully closed.
These shifting priorities reflect the studio’s ongoing challenge in rebuilding its film slate. Since Star Wars: Episode IX–The Rise of Skywalker (2019) concluded the Skywalker Saga, Lucasfilm’s theatrical arm has seen numerous projects announced and abandoned, while the franchise’s television division thrives through The Mandalorian, Andor, and Ahsoka.
Current reports indicate the “New Jedi Order” movie remains paused, while the long-gestating Lando project may finally gain traction.
According to ComicBookMovie, the Rey-centered film remains in development but is awaiting approval on George Nolfi’s latest draft. The script has changed hands multiple times—first with Damon Lindelof and Justin Britt-Gibson, then Steven Knight, before landing with Nolfi. Fans hoping for Daisy Ridley’s return may have to wait, but there’s movement elsewhere: the Lando Calrissian spinoff starring Donald Glover, once planned as a Disney+ series, is now being developed as a theatrical feature.
For now, only two films have confirmed release dates—The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026) from Jon Favreau and Shawn Levy’s Star Wars: Starfighter (2027). Several others remain in varying stages of development, including Dave Filoni’s New Republic-era crossover event, James Mangold’s Dawn of the Jedi, and Simon Kinberg’s planned trilogy set beyond the Skywalker timeline.
Disney’s calendar changes add to the uncertainty. A Star Wars film was once slated for December 2026, only to be replaced by Ice Age 6, which itself later shifted to February 2027. Patty Jenkins previously admitted that developing the “first movie” after The Rise of Skywalker proved far more difficult than expected—an acknowledgment that mirrors Lucasfilm’s deliberate approach today, favoring precision over volume.
Although the paths for Rogue Squadron, Waititi’s project, and the Rey film remain unclear, Lucasfilm’s next major theatrical chapter appears to rest with The Mandalorian and Grogu—a return to familiar heroes who could once again unite audiences in theaters across the galaxy.
