There's no denying that Daisy Ridley was the main driving force of the Star Wars sequel trilogy, and despite the first chapter of Rey's story concluding after The Rise of Skywalker, it turns out that Disney still had plans to continue her journey. In 2023, it was revealed at the Star Wars Celebration in London that Ridley would be reprising her role as Rey in a new Star Wars film.
The yet-to-be-titled project helmed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy is centered on Rey rebuilding the Jedi Order, fulfilling the promise she made to Luke Skywalker. The project, set 15 years after The Rise of Skywalker, is also rumored to introduce two new Jedi padawans who will learn their ways to the Force under Rey's tutelage. The bad news is that, despite Lucasfilm's original plans of releasing it sometime in late 2026, the production company hasn't given fans updates regarding the project's status.
Now, a new development seems to suggest that the New Jedi Order project will remain in development abyss, and Daisy's other commitments may prevent it from ever seeing the light of day. Deadline recently reported that the 33-year-old British actress has landed her next project, a film called Killa Bee. According to the outlet, the film chronicles the double life of Bryony Tyrell: a mother and highly educated ICU nurse who secretly rose through the ranks to become a major force in British cage fighting.
In a press release, Ridley shared her excitement about the film, saying:
Bryony’s story is one of extraordinary courage and resilience. I was deeply moved by her emotional and empowering journey. I can’t wait to bring her spirit to the screen.
The project is a collaboration between Knockout Productions, Picture Perfect, and Moviehouse Entertainment. Kenton Oxley (Farah) is set to direct a script written by Ruth Sewell. Back in February, Ridley spoke about the true status of her Star Wars comeback, assuring fans that the wait will be worth it in the end. Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, she explained:
People have talked about it a lot that the release date often affects films and how quickly things go into production…So, the freedom to make sure that this script is the best way to tell this story is wonderful, and I don’t think any fans would want it to be rushed. The wait will be worth it. I know what George is working on, and he is a phenomenal writer. So, I’m really looking forward to reading it, and yes, it’s all worthwhile.
When you think about it, delays aren't always a bad thing because they allow the creative minds behind a project more time to work on the technicalities. And given the mixed reception the sequel trilogy generated, it's obvious that Daisy would want to redeem herself in the eyes of diehard Star Wars fans. As such, the delay of the New Jedi Order film could actually be a blessing, providing director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and writer Steven Knight the necessary time to craft a truly compelling and cohesive story for Rey's return.
The next Star Wars film, The Mandalorian and Grogu, is slated for theatrical release in May 2026.
