“Star Wars” has really been going through things of late. They haven’t had a film on screen since 2019. Yesterday, filmmaker James Mangold said his “Dawn Of The Jedi” movie (a working title) could be shooting as early as next year, which instantly puzzled fans because most thought the Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy-directed movie featuring Daisy Ridley’s Rey, dubbed unofficially, “The New Jedi Order” by fans, would be the next “Star Wars” film to come to theaters after Jon Favreau’s May 2026 film, “The Mandalorian And Grogu.”
Then, seemingly lousy news hit this morning when it was revealed that the film’s longtime writer, Steven Knight (“Peaky Blinders,” “Spencer”), had exited the project (something fans had already speculated about for months).
Anxious headlines hit this morning about “Star Wars” in trouble again, set backs, the Rey movie continuing to “lose writers” and a lot of what feels like worry.
But to hear it from Daisy Ridley herself, who doesn’t seem worried at all—we just spoke to her this morning about her new film “Magpie” for an upcoming episode of our The Discourse podcast—it’s all just part of the process.
Before launching into the obvious, The Discourse host Mike DeAngelo asked Ridley if we was going to appear in what he affectionately called “Spaceballs 2: The Search for More Money” (not an actual title), and whether she was contractually obligated not to speak about it.
The actress blurted out with a healthy lol “Hahaha! Spaceballs 2!” she laughed. “No, you’re the first person to ask me that. Well, a friend of mine is—I don’t know if it’s public knowledge, but a friend of mine might be involved in the certain ‘Spaceballs’ thing. Maybe I spoke to them about something.”
Then The Discourse asked about the just-fresh Steven Knight news, but the actress seemed unbothered (and if reports are correct, she’s known about it for some time now).
And as for that Christmas 2026 date that many have assumed is “The New Jedi Order” film release date? Ridley says that’s not theirs, and they have no firm date.
“We don’t have a date,” she said matter-of-factly, explaining what’s happened behind the scenes a little bit. “I think the creative process is one that is really a journey.”
Ridley didn’t say whether she’s read a new script or knows the direction of where it’s all headed but strongly suggested she knows something in her enthusiasm. The actress also said Lucasfilm is not rushing the project and is taking the time to get it right.
“And I’m really genuinely excited. And I have said I’m very excited, but I really do mean I’m excited about what’s coming. And I think we really have the luxury of making sure that this is the right.”
So nothing on the calendar until there’s actually something to put on the calendar?
“Yes!” she exclaimed.” So when everything is ready to go, we will be going, and it’s very—yeah, it’s good.”
Ridley remained mum after that, but if her passion for it all seemed genuine, perhaps we’ll learn more in the upcoming months about who will be steering the ship from a writing perspective moving forward.
Does that mean Mangold’s film is taking that open December 2026 release date, then? It’s possible, but if we’ve all learned anything by now, Lucasfilm isn’t about to put the horse before the cart and set stories, not release dates, first. More from this interview soon. Additional reporting by Mike DeAngelo.
