Summary
The upcomingRey SkywalkerStar Warsmovie, set to star Daisy Ridley, has been delayed, and now it has lost its writer as well. This news suggests that Disney and Lucasfilm aren’t satisfied with the film, leading some fans to question whether the entire project should be scrapped.
Daisy Ridley last played Rey Skywalker inStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, released in 2019. The British actress was set to reprise the role in a new Star Wars picture focusing on Rey’s life after the events ofThe Rise of Skywalker. Steven Knight was initially slated to write the project after Damon Lindelof and Justin Britt-Gibson departed. However,Varietyhas now reported that Knight has also chosen to leave, creating a significant gap in the project’s development.
What’s Happened to Daisy Ridley’s Rey Skywalker Movie?
With Steven Knight no longer involved in the Rey Skywalker project, what’s happening with thisStar Warsmovie? Will this film ever see the light of day, or should Lucasfilm make the bold decision to cancel the project? That would be a tough call, as it would mean yet anotherStar Warsproject being canceled only a few months or years after its announcement. This pattern has become common at Lucasfilm, indicating that new management, leadership, and ideas may be needed.
This newRey SkywalkerStar Warsmoviewas reportedly going to explore Rey’s journey to establish a new Jedi Academy. This promised to be an intriguing concept if executed well. However, the project has faced complications from the beginning. This latest delay and the departure of yet another writer suggest that production may not begin until well into 2025, at the earliest.
While the concept itself is interesting, it could work equally well in a different medium, such as a comic book series. Marvel has produced someexcellent Star Wars comics, which could be a fitting medium for this story. Perhaps even a novelization would be a better way to explore these ideas. A full-fledged movie feels like a costly endeavor, especially considering interest in Rey Skywalker appears low amongStar Warsfans.
Is It Time to Cancel The Rey Skywalker Movie?
Examining recent Star Wars projects, there has been a notable decline in reception.The AcolyteandObi-Wan Kenobiwere poorly received by both fans and critics.The MandalorianSeason 3 didn’t match the quality of the previous two seasons. Then there wasThe Book of Boba Fett, which was widely criticized. Fans haven’t been pleased with Lucasfilm’s recent Star Wars content, so it could be wise tocancel projects like the Rey Skywalker movieand pursue other directions.
This movie seems destined to struggle at the box office, as fans have expressed little interest in more content focused on Rey. They made this clear after the release ofThe Rise of Skywalker, which wasn’t well-received. The ending in which Rey adopts the Skywalker name, despite technically being a Palpatine, met with criticism and disappointment from most fans.
To move forward, it may be best forStar Warsto invest in fresh stories, new ideas, and characters that future generations can embrace. Revisiting characters like Rey Skywalker, Luke Skywalker, andObi-Wan KenobikeepsStar Warslooking back, rather than progressing. Ultimately, this is a dangerous direction for the franchise’s future and longevity.
Does Lucasfilm Feel Obligated to Release the Rey Skywalker Movie?
It’s possible that Lucasfilm feels compelled to make this movie now that it has been announced. Yet, this hasn’t prevented the cancelation of previously announced projects. Kathleen Kennedy, the current President of Lucasfilm, revealed plans for a newStar Warstrilogy by Rian Johnson, a movie by Taika Waititi, and aBoba Fettmovie with Josh Trank as the director. There was also a plannedStar Warstrilogy by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss. All of these projects — and more — were announced, but later canceled or shelved.
It wouldn’t be surprising if Lucasfilm felt pressured to release the Rey Skywalker movie, because their constant announcements and cancelations have hurt their reputation. In the long run, however, canceling theDaisy Ridley-led Star Wars moviemight be the wisest decision. With Steven Knight no longer involved, there’s little reason to push forward. There’s no writer, no director, and it seems they are back to square one.
The only established element for this movie is Daisy Ridley herself, and she may not be enough to sell aStar Warsmovie. Since her role as Rey in the latest Star Wars trilogy, her career has struggled. Her recent films have not performed well at the box office, such asChaos Walking,The Bubble,Sometimes I Think About Dying,The Inventor,The Marsh King’s Daughter, andMagpie. Ridley has starred in all of these films since her last appearance as Rey, and they have all underperformed commercially and critically. Her latest film,Young Woman and the Sea, received some positive reviews on Disney Plus, but wasn’t enough to cement her as a box office draw. Despite her efforts, her career hasn’t taken off, and she likely needs thisRey Skywalkermoviemore than Lucasfilm or the fans do.
It may sound harsh, but shelving this movie would allow Lucasfilm and the Star Wars universe to move on to other projects. A horror-themedStar Warsmovie, for example, would be an exciting new direction. There’s plenty to explore in this sci-fi world without rehashing old ideas and characters that fans are no longer excited about.
