It's now been a little over a week since Lucasfilm announced plans for The Mandalorian & Grogu, a new Star Wars movie which has supposedly taken the place of Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy's "New Jedi Order" project on the studio's release schedule.
We've been wondering for a while whether the movie (which will see Daisy Ridley reprise her role as Rey Skywalker) might be hit by a delay as it got caught up in last year's WGA strike. Damon Lindelof is believed to have come up with the idea, only to encounter "creative differences" with Lucasfilm after penning a screenplay alongside Justin Brit-Gibson.
Looking to get Rey's return where the studio wanted it, Kathleen Kennedy enlisted Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight. Since then, we've seen conflicting reports about exactly how much work he's been able to do on the movie.
World of Reel (via SFFGazette.com) has shared an update claiming Disney has decided to delay this Star Wars movie "indefinitely." The site's source isn't confident "New Jedi Order" will happen anytime soon and, yet again, it seemingly boils down to creative differences between Lucasfilm and a writer.
If this rumour is to be believed, Knight did deliver a draft, only to receive so many notes that he'd essentially be forced to start from scratch.
"To make matters worse, there is the possibility that Knight might not be staying on-board the project," the site explains. "His frustrations have grown, he’s put Star Wars on the backburner and is now focused on the screenplay for his 'Peaky Blinders' movie, which is supposed to go into production in the fall."
It’s worth noting that io9 has countered this report by stating, "A source at the company told io9 the report is inaccurate and Knight continues to write and be a part of the process. In fact, the company is waiting on his latest draft as you read this."
That's the sort of response we'd expect from a studio and we've lost track of denials like this which have ultimately proven false. Plus, talk of a delay lines up with recent reports about Lucasfilm looking for a new writer and explains why The Mandalorian & Grogu has suddenly become a priority.
Remember, James Mangold has a busy couple of years ahead before he can start on his "Dawn of the Jedi" feature and Dave Filoni needs to deliver Ahsoka season 2 before getting to his rumoured Heir to the Empire adaptation. With this Rey-led story looking increasingly unlikely for its May 22, 2026 release, it seems Din Djarin and The Child have been enlisted to save the day.
The only confirmed details about this still-untitled Star Wars project are that it will be directed by Obaid-Chinoy and is set 15 years after the last events of the Skywalker Saga. We'll reunite with Rey and follow the story of rebuilding the New Jedi Order and the powers that rise to tear it down.
We'll let you know as this story continues to develop.