Here’s some “Star Wars” news to surprise no one this morning: Variety reports (via Puck) that screenwriter Steven Knight has left the upcoming sequel about Daisy Ridley‘s Rey after 2019’s “The Rise Of Skywalker.” Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy‘s movie, her feature debut, was already put on developmental hiatus earlier this year. Does Knight’s exit mean this “Star Wars” projects will go the way of Patty Jenkins‘ “Rogue Squadron“: perpetually in development hell?
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That’s up for debate, as Lucasfilm is reportedly talking with several writers to replace Knight. But it’s another bad look for a studio who’s become notorious with its fanbase for frequently stalling announced projects. And Obaid-Chinoy’s movie may be the most important of the three announced at Star Wars Celebration in 2023, as it carries the story of the new trilogy into new, uncharted territory. The stakes are much lower for Jon Favreau‘s “The Mandalorian & Grogu” (the only “Star Wars” movie that currently has a release date on May 22, 2026), James Mangold‘s “Dawn Of The Jedi” prequel, or Dave Filoni‘s project. Those films (and the several other in development) don’t feature central “Star Wars” storylines; Obaid-Chinoy’s does, and is thus arguably the anchor for where the franchise goes from here.
But that also means the movie has high stakes for Kathleen Kennedy and Lucasfilm. They need to get the future of the “Star Wars” universe right and the right person writing the story to ensure that happens. Losing Knight is a loss, but the prolific writer known for tackling multiple projects at once is in one of the busiest stages of his career right now. Knight’s had two series debut this year (FX‘s “The Veil” and BBC‘s “This Town“), one film (Pablo Larraín‘s “Maria“), and then has “A Thousand Blows” debuting in early 2025 and his “Peaky Blinders” film “The Immortal Man” on the way at Netflix. Needless to say, his work rate doesn’t fit with a movie that’s creatively stalled, and Knight’s attached to several other upcoming projects as it is. But replacing Knight will be tough: he lends pedigree to the project, and that’s something novice director Obaid-Chinoy doesn’t have yet career-wise (despite winning the Oscar for Best Documentary Short Film twice).
Whenever Obaid-Chinoy’s movie comes out, it’ll focus no Rey’s attempt to start a new Jedi Academy and preserve the Order in a politically fraught galaxy. If Lucasfilm finds a new writer soon, the movie may still start shooting next year and nab one of the two theatrical release dates Disney holds for upcoming “Star Wars” films (December 2026 and December 2027). With Mangold’s “Dawn Of The Jedi” almost certainly claims one of those already, Obaid-Chinoy’s film could grab the other.
But that’s pure speculation, and “Star Wars” fans should instead expect more of the same: delays and projects stuck in creative stasis. That’s been the trend the franchise in recent years, and this news all but guarantees it’s one that will continue.
