When Lucasfilm announced a new Star Wars film centered on Rey, the studio presented it as a continuation of the saga rather than a reinvention. The project was framed as a post-sequel trilogy story, extending the timeline and keeping one of the franchise’s most prominent modern characters at its core.
Nearly three years later, the film remains without a release date, a production start, or a confirmed supporting cast. Public updates have been scarce, and the project’s status has become increasingly opaque, even as Lucasfilm continues to reaffirm its commitment to theatrical Star Wars releases.
That uncertainty stands out amid a franchise still recalibrating after the sequel trilogy. Lucasfilm has spent the past several years experimenting across streaming and cinema, but its big-screen strategy remains unsettled, with multiple announced films failing to progress beyond early development.
What is Rey’s Planned ‘Star Wars’ Film?
First unveiled at Star Wars Celebration in 2023, the Rey film was positioned as the studio’s next major theatrical priority. It would follow Daisy Ridley’s character as she attempts to rebuild the Jedi Order, moving the galaxy forward after the events of The Rise of Skywalker.
Behind the scenes, development has been uneven. The project has cycled through several writers, with each new iteration reportedly exploring a different creative direction. Rewrites are not unusual at Lucasfilm, but frequent turnover often reflects deeper uncertainty around tone, scope, or long-term franchise fit.
That uncertainty has been reinforced by instability across the wider Star Wars slate. Several previously announced films have quietly stalled, leaving fans skeptical that high-profile announcements guarantee forward momentum, even when major legacy characters are involved.
Ridley has continued to address the delays carefully. Speaking to USA Today, she was asked whether fans could expect updates in 2026. Her response was cautious.
“Maybe,” she said.
“I don’t know about 2026,” Ridley added. “In the future, sometime, yeah.”
The comments underscored how distant production still appears to be. Despite being publicly described as Lucasfilm’s next theatrical chapter, the film lacks the usual markers of a project nearing greenlight.
In December, Ridley told IGN that the long wait would be worth it. She praised the “incredible” creative minds involved and acknowledged how complex large-scale filmmaking can be, while stressing that the project has not been abandoned.
Even so, reassurance has not stopped speculation. With little visible progress, attention has shifted away from release timing and toward the reasons the film has struggled to move forward at all.
A Story Possibly Left Without Its Counterpart
One theory suggests the Rey film was originally tied to The Hunt for Ben Solo. The sequel trilogy closely linked Rey and Ben Solo, culminating in the reveal that they were a dyad in the Force in The Rise of Skywalker.
Ben’s death left unresolved narrative threads that some believe were intended to continue across multiple films. If one project fell apart, the other may have lost its narrative foundation.
Ridley has confirmed she was aware of plans for The Hunt for Ben Solo.
“I knew a piece of it,” she told IGN, explaining she had heard about it through crew contacts. She said she was surprised when details later surfaced publicly, particularly after hearing them mentioned by Adam Driver.
Some fans believe Lucasfilm could still fold elements of both projects into a single story. Whether that approach remains viable is unclear.
A Studio Proceeding With Caution — Or Not at All
Another explanation centers on timing and leadership. Lucasfilm has recently undergone a transition, with creative oversight now shaped by new co-presidents Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan following Kathleen Kennedy’s departure.
Rather than fast-track a high-profile release, the studio may be waiting to define its long-term theatrical strategy. A Rey Skywalker-led film carries symbolic weight, making it a risky project to advance without clarity around the franchise’s direction.
Recent reports suggest Lucasfilm is hesitant to move forward with Filoni’s previously announced MandoVerse film until The Mandalorian & Grogu proves itself at the box office in May. If that caution applies across the slate, Rey’s film may be on hold pending results.
More skeptical observers argue the delay is intentional. Lucasfilm has a history of allowing announced projects to quietly fade without formal cancellation, minimizing backlash by letting attention drift elsewhere.
Films tied to Rian Johnson, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, and Taika Waititi have all slipped from view, though Kennedy has said a script exists for Waititi’s film. That reassurance has yet to translate into visible momentum.
There is also the question of audience reaction. The Acolyte faced significant online backlash, much of it aimed at its female characters — particularly Amandla Stenberg’s Osha and Mae — and creator Leslye Headland.
Lucasfilm may now be weighing whether another female-led theatrical Star Wars release carries additional risk. If so, the delays reflect not only creative uncertainty but broader concerns about how parts of the fandom will respond.
Are you excited for Daisy Ridley’s return as Rey?
