Daisy Ridley’s New Jedi Order ‘Star Wars’ Movie Reportedly Replaced at Lucasfilm
Lucasfilm’s long-stalled Rey Skywalker film has reportedly been dissolved as a standalone project, with its story now feeding directly into Simon Kinberg’s planned trilogy beginning with Star Wars: Episode X. The development would mark the end of a feature first unveiled more than three years ago, though Daisy Ridley is still expected to return to the galaxy far, far away in a different capacity.
Insider Claims a Clean Slate at Lucasfilm
The update comes from Star Wars insider @fiveswalker, who addressed several of the studio’s long-gestating film projects in a November 1, 2026, post on X. On the subject of director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s Rey movie, the account wrote, “No [New Jedi Order] isn’t happening, it became the Kinberg trilogy.”
The same post painted a stark picture of Lucasfilm’s broader film pipeline. The insider claimed the studio had passed on James Mangold’s Dawn of the Jedi, with the filmmaker having since moved on, and added that “Rogue Squadron has died a thousand deaths.” Taika Waititi’s long-discussed contribution to the franchise fared no better, with the account stating, “Taika ain’t happening.”
Taken together, the claims suggest Lucasfilm has effectively reset its theatrical slate, with Starfighter and Episode X now positioned as the foundation for what comes next.
From Standalone Feature to Saga Installment
New Jedi Order was announced at Star Wars Celebration Europe in April 2023, with Ridley confirmed to reprise her role as Rey. Set after Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker (2019), the film was designed to follow the character as she worked to rebuild the Jedi Order.
Previous reports characterized the project as on hold rather than canceled, and Lucasfilm has never publicly clarified whether it was shelved, postponed, or merged into another production. The latest report points to a merger, with the film’s core premise now folded into the next chapter of the Skywalker Saga.
According to insider Daniel Richtman, Rey will appear in Episode X as a mentor to two new protagonists rather than as the lead. That role aligns closely with the original pitch for New Jedi Order, in which a Rey rebuilding the Jedi would naturally take on the responsibility of guiding a new generation.
Episode X Takes a Romantic Turn
Details on Kinberg’s opening chapter suggest a notable tonal shift for the franchise. On October 29, @fiveswalker reported that casting was underway for two actors in their early 20s, describing romance as a defining element of the film. A follow-up post summarized the project as “Very YA but very good.”
The leads reportedly mirror the dynamic between Finn and Rey in Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens (2015), but with an overtly romantic relationship. The male protagonist is said to come from a troubled, orphaned upbringing and is pulled into the story after being implicated in a killing. The female protagonist is reportedly a member of royalty, a perfectionist from high society who introduces him to the wider galaxy and its established characters.
Romance has long been woven into Star Wars, from Han Solo and Leia Organa to Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala, but it has generally served larger conflicts rather than driving the narrative. A romance-led Episode X would invert that approach nearly 50 years after George Lucas launched the franchise in 1977.
Leadership Changes and Production Status
The reported restructuring arrives amid a period of transition at Lucasfilm. Kathleen Kennedy stepped down as studio president earlier in 2026, with Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan assuming expanded leadership roles.
Kinberg has reportedly been developing his trilogy since late 2024. Jon Watts, director of the MCU’s Spider-Man trilogy and co-creator of Skeleton Crew, is attached to direct Episode X. However, Disney has not officially greenlit the film, and no release date has been set.
The next confirmed Star Wars theatrical release remains Shawn Levy’s Star Wars: Starfighter, starring Ryan Gosling, which is slated for May 2027.
None of the reported changes have been confirmed. Lucasfilm has not announced the cancellation of New Jedi Order, nor has it revealed casting or story details for Episode X. Until the studio makes an official statement, Starfighter stands as the only dated entry on the Star Wars film calendar.
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