In a continuation of the series’ turbulent journey under Kathleen Kennedy’s leadership at Lucasfilm, it has been announced that the third writer for Daisy Ridley’s Star Wars film, Rey, is George Nolfi. This marks another step in the saga of setbacks and upheavals.
As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, this recent adjustment indicates ongoing confidence in the project, but some fans and reviewers may interpret it as yet another symptom of chaos within a series that’s having difficulty finding its bearings, along with a studio executive eager to fulfill at least one of her numerous promised ventures.
I’m thrilled to share that over two years ago, the “New Jedi Order” film was unveiled with much excitement. In this upcoming production, Daisy Ridley will once again embody the character we all know as Rey, 15 years following the events of “The Rise of Skywalker”. The narrative is said to depict Rey as a guide for a new crop of Jedi, but beyond this central idea, specifics are still sparse.
The project originally began with writers Damon Lindelof (“Lost”) and Justin Britt-Gibson leading it, however they both left shortly after director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy joined the team. By 2023, Steven Knight (“Peaky Blinders”) took over the script writing duties but he also departed by the end of 2024.
Currently, it’s Nolfi – known for his work on films like “The Bourne Ultimatum” and “The Adjustment Bureau” – who has taken on the task of revising the script.
The mix of creative prowess and scant details about the project’s progression has led numerous people to ponder if this production will ever reach the big screen. Moreover, Kathleen Kennedy’s history of announcing grand Star Wars projects without fulfilling them has sparked skepticism, with productions like Rogue Squadron, Rian Johnson’s trilogy, and the Kevin Feige-produced film all seemingly stuck in development hell.
With this project, the well-known director, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, is stepping into the realm of large-scale narrative films for the first time, moving away from her previous work in documentaries.
Obaid-Chinoy, who is recognized for her feminist beliefs, has been at the center of discussions due to her comments about intentionally making men feel uneasy and emphasizing Rey’s identity as a female Jedi instead of just a Jedi. These remarks have ignited debates about whether the film might be more concerned with gender politics than storytelling.
Obaid-Chinoy’s statement suggesting it’s long past due for women to lead in the Star Wars universe caused some surprise, considering Kathleen Kennedy has been leading Lucasfilm for more than ten years.
Moreover, women have been instrumental in shaping and producing the latest Star Wars material, with Bryce Dallas Howard, Deborah Chow, and Leslye Headland among them. Notably, many Star Wars productions since Disney’s acquisition have spotlighted female leads, such as Rey from the sequel series, Jyn Erso in Rogue One, Ahsoka Tano in Ahsoka, and nearly every character in The Acolyte.
Although there was much excitement at Star Wars Celebration 2023 with Daisy Ridley’s appearance and announcements, the upcoming film hasn’t picked up much steam yet. The frequent delays have caused production to be postponed, allowing other Star Wars projects to take priority first. It seems that Shawn Levy’s untitled Star Wars movie, featuring Ryan Gosling, is the next one to start filming, coming after the Mandalorian and Grogu movie scheduled for May 2026.
George Nolfi’s body of work encompasses both action-packed blockbusters such as “The Bourne Ultimatum” and more character-focused projects like “The Adjustment Bureau” and “The Banker”. Renowned for fostering strong bonds with actors and creating gripping thrillers, Nolfi as the writer for the upcoming Rey movie might offer a new perspective to a project that seems to be seeking more stability. Nevertheless, considering the tumultuous history of this film’s production and the lukewarm fan reaction towards Rey-related content, it’s questionable whether Nolfi’s involvement will be sufficient to change course.
The recurring changes in direction and vague plot points for the Star Wars movies led by Rey, as well as their management under Kathleen Kennedy at Lucasfilm, highlight a larger problem with their leadership strategy.
As a devoted fan, I’m finding myself becoming more and more doubtful as grand promises seem to evaporate without tangible results, casting uncertainty over the theatrical destiny of my beloved franchise. The productions that eventually see the light of day tend to be overflowing with identity politics, which often leads to harsh criticism and a decline in interest for series such as Ahsoka, The Acolyte, and most recently, Skeleton Crew.
Although Disney and Lucasfilm express confidence in the project, it’s evident that such faith can’t conceal the persistent challenges occurring off-stage.
Read More
- EigenLayer restaking protocol’s slashing testnet now live
- FIL PREDICTION. FIL cryptocurrency
- Marvel Rivals Season 1 is bringing the Fantastic Four — here’s the Invisible Woman in action
- 3 Spider-Man Villains That Should Appear in the Next PlayStation Game
- POL PREDICTION. POL cryptocurrency
- Whales and retail traders keep Arbitrum from falling — Here’s how
- Grantchester season 9 cast: Meet the characters in ITV drama
- EastEnders airs huge Cindy Beale update in early iPlayer edition
- Infinity Nikki Shooting Star Season Teaser Trailer Released
- Coronation Street’s Colson Smith breaks silence on when he was told about Craig Tinker’s axing
2025-01-28 19:55