Star Wars: New Jedi Order Writer Describes George Lucas Influences (And We’re Excited)

George Nolfi, the author behind the “Star Wars: New Jedi Order,” has revealed his writing methodology, emphasizing his use of political themes from George Lucas’ work. In a conversation with Film Stories for the promotion of his latest movie, Elevation, Nolfi explained his thought process during script development. “I start by examining what has been established before me,” he said. “This includes Lucasfilm, Disney, Sharmeen [Obaid-Chinoy], the director, and their broader ideas. As a writer, I then aim to create story beats and envision characters. Finally, I submit my work with the understanding that it must respect and uphold a rich, esteemed legacy.

During the interview, Nolfi was inquired about possibly integrating a political aspect into New Jedi Order. It seems that Nolfi takes inspiration from how George Lucas infused politics in his Star Wars series, which he referred to as “deeply rooted in broader political ideas.” “It’s not directly addressing current events,” he said, “but it has elements of the Empire resembling both Nazism and the Roman Empire. This depicts the collapse of the Roman democratic system into an empire, a recurring tale of humanity organizing themselves against chaos. The means they use to control chaos often lead to oppression.

At Celebration Europe 2023, Lucasfilm unveiled “New Jedi Order” as one of their upcoming Star Wars movies. This film is set 15 years after “The Rise of Skywalker,” and Daisy Ridley returns as Rey, guiding the Jedi into a new phase following her transformation from scavenger to Jedi. Since its announcement, “New Jedi Order” has faced several challenges, most notably going through various screenwriters. Lately, Krysty Wilson-Cairns (Nolfi) has been confirmed as the latest writer working on the project, replacing Steven Knight.

As a die-hard Star Wars fan, I’m eagerly waiting to hear more about the production timeline for “New Jedi Order.” With Ridley set to star, it’s unclear who else will join her on screen. Interestingly, Naomi Ackie, who charmed us as Jannah in “The Rise of Skywalker,” has hinted at her willingness to reprise her role if contacted by Lucasfilm. On the horizon for Lucasfilm is the 2026 release of “The Mandalorian & Grogu.” Meanwhile, reports suggest that Shawn Levy’s untitled Star Wars movie could start filming as early as this fall.

It’s heartening to learn that Nolfi is finding inspiration in Lucas, particularly his ideas, even though the execution of some of these ideas in the Star Wars films may have been debatable at times (with the prequels now seen in a more positive light). By basing the storytelling on Lucas’ politically inclined approach, it’s suggested that the upcoming film, New Jedi Order, could offer thought-provoking content to go along with the high-budget action fans are accustomed to. As Nolfi states, this doesn’t imply the movie will be making contemporary political statements, but he considers politics as being “fundamental” to the Star Wars universe. It will be intriguing to observe what aspects of real-world politics he incorporates into a Star Wars film and how he translates those elements through the unique perspective of the franchise.

After the divisive response to “The Rise of Skywalker”, the Star Wars franchise has encountered difficulties, with Lucasfilm grappling to determine their movie lineup. To ensure a bright future, key projects such as “The Mandalorian & Grogu” and “New Jedi Order” must achieve both critical and commercial success, rekindling excitement for forthcoming films. Previously, Star Wars has faced criticism for excessively relying on its past, but the distinction lies between nostalgic references and adopting Lucas’ methodology as a blueprint. It is hoped that Nolfi will capture what made Lucas’ approach so engaging, thereby crafting “New Jedi Order” with a captivating storyline that respects the franchise’s heritage while introducing innovative ideas. If the aim is to revive Star Wars, drawing inspiration from Lucas appears to be an excellent choice.

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2025-02-04 19:45