Star Wars: Is the Rey Skywalker Movie Still Happening? (And Should It?)

As a film enthusiast who has spent years immersed in the ever-evolving world of cinema, I can’t help but approach the prospect of another Star Wars movie featuring Rey Skywalker with a mix of excitement and apprehension. On one hand, I’ve been captivated by Daisy Ridley’s portrayal of Rey and am eager to see where her character’s journey takes us next. On the other hand, as someone who has seen too many promising franchises get derailed by over-saturation and creative stagnation, I can’t help but worry that another Star Wars movie might not live up to its potential.

Out of the blue, it was made known that Disney and Lucasfilm are planning to release even more “Star Wars” movies. In other words, the list of upcoming “Star Wars” films has grown a bit longer. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Simon Kinberg, who’s well-known for his work on X-Men films, will not only produce but also write an entirely new “Star Wars” trilogy. What’s intriguing is that this trilogy is said to be separate from the Skywalker Saga and could potentially avoid the Sequel Trilogy’s issues of fluctuating between various creative directions.

Meanwhile, this recent announcement raises doubts about the current state of another upcoming “Star Wars” project, specifically the one that director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy is working on and includes Daisy Ridley reprising her role as Rey Skywalker to establish a new Jedi Order. Initially unveiled in 2023, the production was initially speculated to hit theaters in 2026. Given the development of this Kinberg trilogy, could it be that Lucasfilm has shifted its attention away from Sequel Trilogy characters like Rey?

Star Wars: Is the Rey Movie Still Happening?

The Kinberg Star Wars trilogy is still in its infancy, and it’s uncertain if it will ever reach the silver screen. Even industry heavyweights like Kevin Feige, David and D.B. Weiss, and Patty Jenkins would agree that grand announcements do not always translate into a Star Wars movie coming to life. However, this situation hints at a possible future for Star Wars films, where new characters might have their moment in the spotlight; perhaps we’re moving away from relying heavily on established figures from past movies and TV shows.

Initially, it appeared that Kinberg’s Star Wars movie could pose a challenge for the future of the Rey film due to some recent hurdles. At first, it was believed that Kinberg’s trilogy would continue the Skywalker Saga up to Episode XII, which might have made Obaid-Chinoy’s plan to reintroduce Rey redundant. However, if reports are true that Kinberg’s trilogy focuses on new characters, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it will undermine or replace the possibility of another Rey story.

Recently, the script for the Rey movie has been going through multiple screenwriters at a rapid pace, causing some concern. Initially, Damon Lindelof and Justin Britt-Gibson were working on this new chapter in the Star Wars story. Later, Steven Knight (known for his work on Peaky Blinders) took over the script, promising an exciting journey for Rey’s next film appearance. Knight is a renowned artist who has penned some of the most cherished episodes of Peaky Blinders, and also has experience with big-screen productions through movies like Eastern Promises. Even when his projects like Serenity don’t meet expectations, they often gain a cult following due to his daring creative decisions. So wherever Rey is headed next, it’s a journey filled with artistic intrigue.

Approximately a year and a half after Knight was hired, Ridley offhandedly mentioned she hadn’t yet read the script for the upcoming new “Star Wars” film. Five months following that, Knight left the project without any new team being named as his replacement. Lucasfilm has numerous proposed “Star Wars” movies in development, including projects from Shawn Levy, Dave Filoni, and James Mangold. Now, a trilogy of films written by Simon Kinberg is on the horizon. The ongoing creative issues surrounding this Rey film (not to mention the current absence of a screenwriter) suggest these other productions might be prioritized. The galaxy far, far away may divert its attention from Rey and her companions.

Moving on to the next critical point: Is it appropriate for another movie in the Star Wars series to be produced so soon after The Rise of Skywalker? Should Rey remain central to future Star Wars media? This issue is a bit trickier. However, there’s no denying that Rey has become an integral part of Star Wars, as evidenced by the multitude of people dressing up as her during Halloween or at conventions, carrying her staff weapon from The Force Awakens. For many fans, particularly younger viewers, she represents Star Wars in much the same way Luke Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano did for the Original Trilogy and Clone Wars eras, respectively.

With Star Wars, Timing Is Everything

A character like that doesn’t just vanish, especially in a saga like Star Wars where characters have stories that span decades. It would only make sense for Rey to follow in the footsteps of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Luke Skywalker and come back as an older, wiser Jedi mentor for the next generation. However, should that story happen right now? Especially as Star Wars is suffocating under the weight of such a heavy over-reliance on pre-existing characters? After all, these features are now heavily connected to lines like “somehow, Palpatine has returned”. Meanwhile, The Mandalorian focused more and more on fan-friendly characters as its episode count went on. Right now, the franchise is a bit impenetrable for newcomers; Star Wars has always had a penchant for being “like poetry, so that it rhymes,” However, modern entries in this franchise have taken that phenomenon to new extremes.

Given those specific circumstances, rushing back to Rey (even in an auxiliary role) could potentially be a misstep. More importantly, immediately burdening Ridley with more Star Wars films might disrupt the actor’s current success streak. In 2024, Ridley demonstrated her leading lady capabilities and expressive facial skills in the entertaining sports film Young Woman and the Sea. She also received accolades for spearheading the suspenseful thriller Magpie. The upcoming years will find her starring in independent movies such as We Bury the Dead and Cleaner. After a brief absence from the big screen outside of Star Wars episodes, Ridley is gradually accumulating intriguing roles spanning various genres.

During the 2010s, notable actors such as Eddie Redmayne, Tom Hiddleston, and Elizabeth Olsen faced a temporary halt in their careers due to yearly obligations to new blockbuster films. This meant that projects by directors like Yorgos Lanthimos, Lynne Ramsay, or Dee Rees had to wait until these artists completed their contracted roles in the X-Men or DC Extended Universe series. However, actors like Glen Powell and Jesse Plemons have chosen to avoid franchise roles in the 2020s, opting instead for standalone projects. It seems that long-term contracts no longer dictate their decisions; rather, a desire to explore new creative avenues is guiding them. It’s refreshing to observe this trend resurface. Ridley Scott, too, has embraced freedom from Star Wars in her latest roles.

Reinvolving her in more Star Wars stories might disrupt a blossoming career, as she’s currently gaining notable momentum. This sentiment mirrors that of filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, who has already collaborated with Disney through her work on Ms. Marvel episodes. If the proposed Star Wars movie comes to fruition, it would not only be her feature film directorial debut, but also make her the first woman to lead a production in this series. However, one may question if this is an optimal use of her skills given that the studio has recently faced criticism, particularly towards The Marvels director Nia DaCosta, for publically dismissing her work in a controversial manner.

Star Wars: Is the Rey Skywalker Movie Still Happening? (And Should It?)

Ridley Scott and Obaid-Chinoy might discover a wealth of captivating roles or creative ventures outside of reprising their roles in the ongoing Rey saga. Instead of being tied down by the visual style of previous Star Wars productions, they could explore documentaries, original films, or other projects that offer more artistic freedom and control. Delaying another Rey Skywalker title would give its creators the opportunity to focus on more intriguing projects in the meantime.

The cultural status of the Star Wars franchise is somewhat unstable. Without a doubt, The Mandalorian & Grogu, set to hit theaters in May 2026, will likely generate significant profits. It’s possible that additional Star Wars films following Jon Favreau’s directorial effort could also make money. However, the charm of the saga seems to have diminished due to a series of divisive TV shows on Disney+. After spending several years as a small-screen property, each new move taken by the Star Wars saga to return to the big screen needs careful management. Given that it has already suffered a significant box office flop with Solo: A Star Wars Story, another failure is something the franchise can’t afford.

Interestingly enough, it’s precisely at this moment that we should dare to be bold and challenge our perceptions of what a Star Wars film could be. By presenting the unconventional, we can remind viewers of the daring creativity that originally set this epic apart. To continue down a path similar to The Force Awakens, merely extending The Skywalker Saga, might not be the best choice. Instead, let’s introduce new characters and settings, rather than revisiting familiar terrain. Whether Simon Kinberg’s proposed trilogy meets that potential is yet to be seen. However, given the need for Star Wars to bring something fresh, the proposed Rey Skywalker feature might need to take a backseat for now.

The Star Wars Sequel Trilogy can be streamed on Disney+

2024-11-11 05:10

Star Wars: Is the Rey Movie Still Happening?

With Star Wars, Timing Is Everything

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