Disney Confusion: Trailer for Daisy Ridley’s ‘Star Wars: New Jedi Order’ Suddenly Drops Online

With no confirmation about where the Star Wars saga is headed outside of The Mandalorian franchise, fans are wondering just what is next for the iconic science-fiction series George Lucas started almost five decades ago.

Rey Movie: The Next Chapter of the Star Wars Saga

The Star Wars universe is in an exciting yet tumultuous state right now, with Lucasfilm and Disney steering the billion-dollar sci-fi franchise through some uncharted waters. Fans, who have been eagerly awaiting new content, are also grappling with the mixed signals coming from behind the scenes.

In April 2023, during the highly-anticipated Star Wars Celebration Europe, Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy announced a series of new projects. Among these, three new films caught everyone’s attention: one by James Mangold, another by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, and a third by Star Wars veteran Dave Filoni. These upcoming projects joined a lineup that already included works by Shawn Levy and Taika Waititi. Adding to the buzz, Patty Jenkins’ Rogue Squadron film, previously thought to be indefinitely shelved, seemed to have found a new lease on life.

Exploring New Frontiers and Old Threads

James Mangold’s project is set to dive deeper into the Star Wars lore than any previous film, exploring the origins of the Force itself. Meanwhile, Filoni’s film is being positioned as a Mando-Verse crossover event, potentially tying together storylines from The Mandalorian, Ahsoka, The Book of Boba Fett, and the forthcoming Skeleton Crew. But in a surprising twist, it was revealed that The Mandalorian and his fan-favorite sidekick, Grogu, are heading to the big screen in a 2026 feature that might mark the end of their Disney+ run.

The most intriguing project, however, is Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s film, which aims to pick up years after Star Wars: Episode IX–The Rise of Skywalker (2019). Daisy Ridley is set to reprise her role as Rey Skywalker, who will now attempt to rebuild the Jedi Order in the wake of Luke Skywalker’s (Mark Hamill) legacy. With working titles like “New Jedi Order” and “A New Beginning” circulating, the film is poised to chart the next chapter in the Skywalker Saga.

A New Trilogy on the Horizon?

However, Lucasfilm threw fans another curveball in November 2024 when it was announced that Simon Kinberg, known for producing films like The Martian (2015) and Deadpool & Wolverine (2024), would write and produce a new trilogy of Star Wars movies. Kinberg, who made his directorial debut with X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019), is reportedly crafting a story that will feature entirely new characters and narratives, steering away from the established Skywalker storyline.

As The Hollywood Reporter noted, “The intent here is to have brand new characters and a new story… although that does not mean that some characters could not or would not pop up.” This creative direction marks a significant shift, especially as Obaid-Chinoy’s film seems to be hinging on Rey’s return as a key figure in the next phase of the Star Wars cinematic universe.

Creative Tensions Behind the Scenes

While the idea of a Kinberg trilogy might excite some fans, it has sparked concerns about potential creative clashes. Insiders suggest that this new trilogy could intersect with the planned Rey-centric film, potentially complicating its development. According to reports, Obaid-Chinoy’s project is already facing some hurdles, notably in its search for a solid writing team. A source familiar with the matter revealed, per THR, “[Rey] is the most valuable cinematic asset, in some ways maybe the only one, Star Wars has right now.” With Rey’s story reportedly still in flux, could Kinberg’s trilogy derail the standalone film’s momentum?

This wouldn’t be the first time Lucasfilm has hit a snag in its ambitious plans. Years back, Game of Thrones showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss were set to create their own Star Wars trilogy exploring the origins of the Force. However, their project fell through, only for Lucasfilm to later greenlight a similar concept under James Mangold’s vision.

Fan Reactions and Uncertainty for 2026

Amid the studio’s internal reshuffling, fans are taking matters into their own hands. Recently, the popular fan-made trailer platform Darth Trailer dropped a conceptual video titled Star Wars: Episode X – New Jedi Order, which imagines Rey’s return to the silver screen. The fan reaction was overwhelming, with the trailer racking up over 116,000 views in under a day.

Watch here:

Looking ahead, Lucasfilm had originally earmarked two major release dates for 2026: May 2 and December 18. The earlier slot is locked in for The Mandalorian and Grogu, but the latter has remained a mystery.

Speculation was rife that the Rey-centric movie would occupy the December release window, though delays and development setbacks were expected to alter those plans. And they seemingly have, considering Lucasfilm has now scrapped the planned Star Wars release for December, with Disney replacing it with Ice Age 6 instead.

For now, fans are left to wonder how Lucasfilm will reconcile these projects. Will the Rey film coexist with Kinberg’s ambitious trilogy, or will one overshadow the other? The Force may be strong with Lucasfilm, but clarity on their future direction remains elusive.

How do you feel about the state of the Star Wars franchise? Sound off in the comments below!