While Deborah Chow, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Rachel Morrison have all helmed episodes of Star Wars TV shows like The Mandalorian and Obi-Wan Kenobi, we've yet to see a female filmmaker tell a story set in a Galaxy Far, Far Away on the big screen.
That honour was once set to go to Wonder Woman helmer Patty Jenkins; unfortunately, Rogue Squadron failed to materialise due to apparent "creative differences" and it will now be Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy who steps up to take charge of the Daisy Ridley-led Rey movie set during the "New Jedi Order" era.
Over the New Year, Obaid-Chinoy was asked about the project and said, "I’m very thrilled about the project because I feel what we’re about to create is something very special. We’re in 2024 now, and it’s about time that we had a woman come forward to shape a story in a galaxy far, far away."
At first glance, there's not much there to discuss beyond Obaid-Chinoy's clear excitement for the movie. However, the latter half of her statement has taken on a life of its own online.
Since these comments were first picked up by media outlets, the backlash online has been staggering. The usual suspects have zeroed in on what she said about being a woman, claiming the Star Wars franchise has fallen victim to the "woke" (a word which loses more and more of its meaning every time it's used) agenda.
Obaid-Chinoy's abilities as a filmmaker have been called into question, while comments from eight years ago in which she talked about making men uncomfortable have been taken completely out of context and twisted to fit into a narrative which paints her as some sort of deranged feminist out to destroy Star Wars.
It's unclear whether the majority of Star Wars fans have an issue with the director. Looking at most of the websites and social media accounts covering this like it's some sort of controversy, it appears most are doing so to capitalise on the attention that comes with any franchise being deemed "woke."
While there are the expected calls to fire Obaid-Chinoy, it's unlikely Disney and Lucasfilm are paying much - if any - attention to this. Based on past experience and how many Star Wars movies have fallen apart in recent years, the bigger issue for the Ms. Marvel helmer will be ensuring her vision doesn't clash with Kathleen Kennedy's.
Set 15 years after the events of The Rise of Skywalker, the story of this untitled Star Wars movie will revolve around the sequel trilogy's lead character rebuilding the New Jedi Order and the powers that rise to tear it down.
The untitled "New Jedi Order" movie is expected to be released on May 22, 2026.