Damon Lindelof Reveals What His Cancelled Star Wars Movie Was About & How It Would’ve Changed the Force Forever

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After a period of uncertainty for the Star Wars franchise following The Rise of Skywalker in 2019, details are emerging about a previously cancelled movie project. Lucasfilm has been searching for a direction after the sequel trilogy, and several ideas have been abandoned, including a project involving Adam Driver and Steven Soderbergh. While a film centered on Daisy Ridley’s Rey and a ‘New Jedi Order’ has been in development, Damon Lindelof, who contributed to a version of the script, has now revealed what his take on the story would have been before he left the project in early 2023.

On the Ringer-Verse podcast, Lindelof described his planned Star Wars story as a reimagining of the Force, exploring the conflict between tradition and change. He called it a “Protestant Reformation” for the franchise, mirroring arguments within the Star Wars fan base itself. Lindelof explained there’s a pull towards nostalgia and a desire to update the story, and these forces were clashing. This approach was a direct response to the mixed reactions to the sequel trilogy, particularly the resistance some fans had to the new characters – Rey, Finn, and Poe – becoming the central focus of the saga.

Lucasfilm was interested in the initial idea, but Lindelof says the writing process was challenging. He explained that finding the right tone – ensuring the story fit within the existing Star Wars universe, its connection to Episode IX, and whether it would launch a new trilogy – took a lot of time and effort. He compared it to steering a massive tanker – a slow process where changes take a while to take effect.

Lindelof’s Story is What Star Wars Needs

As a lifelong Star Wars fan, I think Lindelof really hit the nail on the head. The franchise is stuck in a tough spot. It needs to evolve and try new things – honestly, they’ve relied on nostalgia way too much since The Force Awakens, and it’s really hurt the series. But at the same time, a lot of fans seem determined to resist any kind of change. We definitely saw that with the negative reaction to The Acolyte, but it’s been a pattern for years. Remember how divisive the prequels were back in 1999? It’s like Star Wars is meant to be passed down through generations, but each generation struggles to let go of what they love. It’s a bit like Anakin Skywalker’s issues – holding on too tightly!

Lindelof’s concept is really interesting because it clearly highlights the tension between fondly remembering the past and wanting to update or change it. While it’s easy to think he’s simply portraying nostalgia as evil and revision as good, that feels like an oversimplification. It’s more probable that both approaches have their downsides, and the film explores how we understand history and envision the future. Ultimately, this is a crucial discussion for Star Wars to have, particularly considering the recent reception to The Mandalorian and Grogu, which suggests Lucasfilm is playing it safe and not quite hitting the mark with critics.

This isn’t about whether Lindelof’s ideas were perfect. He initially pitched his story long after The Rise of Skywalker, imagining Helen Mirren as an older Rey. That would have been a missed opportunity for Daisy Ridley, who was slated to return in a new Star Wars project announced in 2023 – a project that’s still in development. However, the core concept feels vital for Star Wars, as the franchise urgently needs to explore new directions. Currently, an overreliance on nostalgia is actually harming the series.

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2026-05-20 15:12