After months of excitement, Lucasfilm just hit the brakes on one of its biggest upcoming projects—again. Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s untitled Star Wars film, featuring the much-hyped return of Daisy Ridley as Rey, has officially been put “on hold,” according to entertainment insider Daniel Richtman.
And no, it’s not canceled—but it’s also not moving forward any time soon.
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The Rey Movie Was Supposed To Be the Comeback
First announced during Star Wars Celebration 2023, the Rey-centered film was meant to continue her story after The Rise of Skywalker, with Ridley returning to a galaxy still recovering from the final battle with Palpatine. There was press buzz, fan discussion, and even some confidence that this one was finally going to happen. Now, it joins a long line of Star Wars projects stuck in development limbo.
Richtman clarified in his report that “the project is not canceled” but is “temporarily on hold.” The reason? Lucasfilm is prioritizing two other movies: James Mangold’s Jedi origin story and Shawn Levy’s Star Wars: Starfighter, which is now speeding toward a 2027 release.
This Keep Happening?
At this point, shelving projects has almost become a pattern at Lucasfilm. Rey’s movie isn’t alone. Just look at this list:
- Taika Waititi’s film is still nowhere near production. As Kennedy put it, “Taika’s on Taika time.”
- Rogue Squadron, once introduced in a dramatic promo by Patty Jenkins on a runway, never even got a script finalized.
- Donald Glover’s Lando went from a series to a movie, but no new updates have followed.
- Dave Filoni’s crossover film—meant to tie together The Mandalorian, Ahsoka, and more—hasn’t moved, likely waiting on The Mandalorian & Grogu to prove itself in 2026.
- Rian Johnson’s trilogy, announced back in 2017, remains a myth to this day.
Even Simon Kinberg’s rumored Episodes X-XII project, which seemed promising in early 2025, has only produced a single draft so far.
Fans Are Tired of the “Announce, Pause, Repeat” Cycle
It’s no surprise that longtime Star Wars followers are getting frustrated. As one user put it, “Just STOP announcing projects until they are fully baked!” Another joked that this has become so expected it’s practically a Lucasfilm tradition at this point.
Others pointed out how this affects actors too, especially Ridley, who’s been openly passionate about returning as Rey. “I feel so bad for Daisy… she’s been vocally enthusiastic about playing Rey again, and they do this to her,” one comment read. Another said bluntly, “They really gave her role as the face of the franchise to Mando, didn’t they?”
For many, it’s not just about the movie being paused. It’s about the message it sends. The hype machine builds momentum with press events, interviews, and celebration panels—only to fizzle out in silence.
One reader summed it up: “How insulting to drag the actress out like that to celebrate as if they were going to do this again.”
Is This a Storytelling Issue or a Strategy Problem?
Some fans are linking this trend back to how Lucasfilm greenlights projects. Many of these films are announced long before there’s even a finished script. “Write the script first, THEN announce the production, Kathleen!” one user commented, reflecting a growing demand for more grounded planning.
Another theory? It’s all about testing the waters. As someone noted, “They just announce them to gauge interest.” If it hits a nerve with fans or investors, it moves. If not, it quietly disappears.
There’s also talk that these movies are being made to sell characters rather than tell stories. “These movies aren’t being made because someone had a good story to tell, they’re being made to sell a product,” one top-voted comment said. “Here, Rey was the product, and it seems they’re struggling to find a way to sell her.”
What’s Actually Still Moving?
While Obaid-Chinoy’s film is paused, not everything is stuck. Shawn Levy’s Starfighter movie has gained traction and new cast members like Ryan Gosling and Mia Goth. James Mangold’s Jedi origin film is also back in development now that he’s done promoting his Bob Dylan biopic.
The next Star Wars movie on the calendar is The Mandalorian & Grogu, aiming for 2026. But even that one has people saying, “Not getting excited until I’m watching it, snacks in hand.”
Final Thought: Is There Still Hope?
Lucasfilm hasn’t shut the door completely on the Rey movie. And fans haven’t fully given up either. But with project after project being paused or scrapped, it’s getting harder for anyone to feel excited when a new title drops.
As one user put it: “Somehow, Rey didn’t return…”
And until we see cameras rolling, that may remain true.