Rey’s long-delayed return to Star Wars may finally be moving forward.
Lucasfilm announced Daisy Ridley’s return at Star Wars Celebration in 2023, with the film set to follow Rey roughly 15 years after The Rise of Skywalker (2019).
The project, often referred to as Star Wars: New Jedi Order, will reportedly follow Rey as she attempts to rebuild the Jedi Order following the defeat of the First Order.
Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy remains attached to direct. George Nolfi, who co-wrote The Bourne Ultimatum (2007), is the latest writer to work on the screenplay after previous drafts from Damon Lindelof, Justin Britt-Gibson, and Steven Knight.
Lucasfilm has still not announced a release date, supporting cast, or production start.
However, a new industry listing suggests the project remains active.
Rey's ‘Star Wars' Film Remains in Development
According to Polygon, Star Wars: New Jedi Order recently appeared in Production Weekly as a project currently in development.
The listing does not confirm that filming is imminent, but it is a notable update after months of uncertainty surrounding the movie.
Lucasfilm has announced several Star Wars films in recent years that have either stalled or failed to reach production, leading to questions over which projects are still moving ahead.
Ridley’s film has remained one of the studio’s most prominent announced projects despite its lengthy development process and multiple changes behind the scenes.
Its continued presence in Production Weekly suggests Lucasfilm has not abandoned the movie.
The update also comes as the studio continues to reassess its theatrical plans following the release of The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026).
The sequel trilogy remains one of the franchise’s biggest commercial successes despite the mixed response from some sections of the fanbase.
The Force Awakens (2015), The Last Jedi (2017), and The Rise of Skywalker all performed strongly at the global box office. The Rise of Skywalker, the lowest-grossing of the three, still earned more than $1 billion worldwide.
There has also been renewed fan interest in other sequel-era characters.
Adam Driver spent roughly two years developing The Hunt for Ben Solo with director Steven Soderbergh before Disney rejected the project.
Fans subsequently organized petitions, purchased billboards, and flew a banner over Disney’s Burbank lot calling for the film to be revived.
Lucasfilm president Dave Filoni addressed the campaign in August, saying, “we're not making that picture right now.”
Some fans have since speculated that ideas from the cancelled project could be incorporated into Rey’s movie, although there is currently no evidence that Driver or Ben Solo will appear.
What Lucasfilm Has Said About Rey's Return
Lucasfilm has revealed few concrete details about the movie’s story.
The studio has said Rey will attempt to establish a new Jedi Order while facing “powers that rise to tear it down.”
Ridley has also indicated that Rey will approach training a new generation of Jedi differently from Luke Skywalker.
She has previously referred to working with “different actors” on the movie, suggesting Lucasfilm plans to introduce new characters alongside Rey.
Nolfi has also discussed the political ideas behind the screenplay.
The writer has pointed to George Lucas’s long-standing interest in democracy, authoritarianism, and institutions becoming oppressive, while stressing that he is developing ideas already established by Lucasfilm, Disney, and Obaid-Chinoy.
Several sequel trilogy characters could still return.
John Boyega revealed at MEGACON Orlando in March 2026 that he had spoken with Filoni about Star Wars, although he did not say whether they discussed a return for Finn.
Boyega later said he would like Finn to embrace his Jedi potential in a future project.
Lucasfilm has not confirmed Boyega for Rey’s film.
Oscar Isaac has also remained open to reprising Poe Dameron.
Speaking to Variety in 2025, Isaac said he would return to Star Wars “if there was something good to do.”
Asked again in April whether Poe could return, Isaac answered, “Maybe?”
Mark Hamill, however, has indicated that another Luke Skywalker appearance is unlikely.
When asked about potentially appearing as Luke’s Force ghost in Rey’s movie, Hamill said he had “had my time” and argued that the franchise should focus on new characters.
Lucasfilm has previously brought a younger Luke back through visual effects in The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett.
For now, Star Wars: Starfighter remains the only upcoming Star Wars film with a confirmed release date.
Shawn Levy’s movie, starring Ryan Gosling as Kade Auberon, will arrive in theaters on May 28, 2027.
The film is set roughly five years after The Rise of Skywalker, placing it around a decade before Rey’s planned Jedi Order story.
Lucasfilm has still not said when Ridley’s film will begin production or reach theaters.
Do you think the Rey film will ever happen?
