Star Wars: New Jedi Order Faces Another Setback as Writer Steven Knight Exits
Since Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, the galaxy far, far away has struggled to get new movies off the ground. With constant writer and director changes, projects being scrapped, and movies stuck in development, fans have had little to look forward to on the big screen. Unfortunately, it looks like the upcoming Star Wars: New Jedi Order—which is set to follow a more mature Rey—has hit another roadblock. Writer Steven Knight, known for Peaky Blinders, has exited the project, leaving Lucasfilm searching for a new scribe.
Knight’s Departure: Another Delay in the Star Wars Saga
Knight signed on to the project in March 2023, taking over after Damon Lindelof and Justin Britt-Gibson were asked to step away. Many fans hoped that this change would get the film back on track, but it seems like history is repeating itself. Director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy (Ms. Marvel) remains attached, but the production, which was set to start soon, will likely be delayed until at least 2025. This means the movie may miss its projected December 2026 release date.
What Is New Jedi Order About?
Despite the setbacks, Star Wars: New Jedi Order has an exciting premise. Set 15 years after the events of The Rise of Skywalker, the film will follow Rey (Daisy Ridley) as she works to rebuild the Jedi Order, learning from the mistakes Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) made. It’s a chance for the character to shine, stepping out from the shadows of her Skywalker lineage, which dominated the final film of the sequel trilogy.
This storyline also presents a rare opportunity to bring more women-centered narratives to the Star Wars universe. While shows like Ahsoka have started to shift this, a major movie focused on a female Jedi master is still something the franchise has yet to fully explore on the big screen. Director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy previously shared with Variety that Rey’s journey as a female Jedi was what excited her most about this project, stating, “That’s how I can best bring my experiences to it.”
The Challenges of Bringing Rey Back
The challenges surrounding New Jedi Order are familiar to many recent Star Wars projects. Since the release of The Rise of Skywalker, Lucasfilm has announced numerous films that have either faced delays or disappeared entirely. While it’s easy to feel discouraged, there’s hope that this movie might finally give Rey the story she deserves. For fans who felt connected to her character, particularly young girls who saw themselves on screen, this is more than just another Star Wars film—it’s a chance to see their hero continue her journey.
Will New Jedi Order Make It to the Big Screen?
With Steven Knight stepping away, the question now is whether Lucasfilm can find a new writer quickly enough to keep the project on track. Given recent trends, it’s difficult to stay optimistic, but the hope remains that New Jedi Order can avoid becoming another casualty in Star Wars’ troubled production history. Rey’s story is far from over, and it would be a shame if fans don’t get to see her grow as a Jedi master, leading a new generation and exploring new corners of the galaxy.
Let’s keep our fingers crossed that Lucasfilm can find the right writer to bring this vision to life, giving fans the chance to experience Rey’s journey once more.
Want to Hear More?
We’ll be discussing this news in greater detail on the next episode of the Geek Freaks podcast. Be sure to tune in!
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