Daisy Ridley's upcoming Star Wars film, tentatively titled Star Wars: New Jedi Order, will continue Rey's story. It's been two years since Ridley's return as Rey was announced at Star Wars Celebration 2023, and since then, story details about the film have been kept under wraps. The film, which is being directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, has proceeded at a relatively slow pace. After a couple of writers have had their names attached to the film, screenwriter George Nolfi (The Bourne Ultimatum) signed up to pen the script, and Ridley believes that the project is going in the right direction.
Ridley has recently shared updates about her next Star Wars film to various outlets while doing rounds promoting her new film, Cleaner, which is set to release in theaters on February 21. When Screen Rant asked her if the New Jedi Order film would be her next project, she revealed that it's still currently some way off.
I don't think it'll be the next thing I go to production on because I'm supposed to be doing, oh no, it's not because I'm doing something next month, very excitingly. So it's not the next thing production wise, but the script is being written and I'm very excited.
Ridley went on to clarify the update while speaking to ComicBook as she reiterated her excitement for the film's story:
I have not read the latest script, but I know what’s happening, and I know the story, and I think what feels really good is that George is a phenomenal writer. I think we’re making sure that this story is the best way, this script is the best way to tell the story, and I think it will be worthwhile. for everyone watching it, and I am very excited, yeah.
Although it's assuring to hear that Ridley say that the upcoming Star Wars film will be worthwhile, it's still disappointing to find out that it's at an early stage. The latest update from Ridley shouldn't be surprising to fans, but her remarks do serve as a valuable reminder that she's still signed up to return as Rey.
What is Star Wars: New Jedi Order about?
Story details for Star Wars: New Jedi Order are largely still being kept under wraps, but THR noted that the narrative is set "15 years" after the events of The Rise of the Skywalker. Ridley’s character, Rey, will oversee a new class of Jedi knights. All signs are pointing towards Rey trying to find other Force-sensitive individuals like herself, and potentially trying to rebuild the Jedi Order, but knowing from Luke Skywalker's past, that's easier said than done.
Other than the standalone New Jedi Order movie, Lucasfilm also said to be exploring the possibility of developing a new film trilogy from writer/producer Simon Kinberg that would also feature Rey.
In a March 2024 interview, Daisy Ridley briefly talked about how New Jedi Order will bridge the gap between The Rise of Skywalker and the upcoming film:
I didn't feel there was a stone left uncovered... So, I felt very satisfied... I started that at 21, and I'm now 31. I feel different... It will be interesting coming in, personally, in a different zone. And, also, in those intervening years from the last film, what has happened, and where has that led Rey to?
Due to the challenges Lucasfilm faced during the pre-production stage, no filming start date for New Jedi Order has been scheduled yet, but Ridley's latest update is a good sign that Lucasfilm is moving forward to get the project into theaters within a few years.
