Taika Waititi’s Star Wars feature film, first announced by Lucasfilm in May 2020, has seen relatively little public movement in the years since its reveal. The project, which would mark Waititi’s directorial return to the galaxy far, far away following his acclaimed work on The Mandalorian, has been one of several theatrical efforts quietly progressing amid shifts in Lucasfilm’s overall strategy. Now, a significant development has emerged that advances the long-gestating movie toward potential production.
Waititi is currently doing the rounds promoting his new family comedy Fing!, but amid the press for that project, former Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy revealed that Waititi has turned in a script for his Star Wars feature, which she described as "hilarious and great." In an interview with Variety, Waititi discussed his vision for the film, saying: “The stakes are very high, and there are serious things going on, but there’s also a lot of fun to be had.” He has repeatedly emphasized the importance of infusing the project with “a little bit more of the fun from the original films,” while ensuring it feels fresh and distinct. Waititi has stressed that his Star Wars movie would focus on new characters and a unique perspective, rather than directly tying into the ongoing television series or the Skywalker saga’s aftermath.
The delivery of the script arrives at a pivotal moment for Lucasfilm’s feature film division. After years of development on multiple projects—including James Mangold’s Dawn of the Jedi-era story, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s Rey-focused film, and others—some entries have been restructured or placed on hold as the studio recalibrates its theatrical slate. Waititi’s continued work on the script, even through periods of uncertainty, suggests sustained belief in his creative approach.
This latest update comes against the backdrop of significant leadership changes at Lucasfilm. Kathleen Kennedy has left Lucasfilm and Star Wars now, although she’s still serving as a producer on The Mandalorian and Grogu and Shawn Levy’s Star Wars: Starfighter. That means the decision will now be made by Filoni and Brennan, who will choose whether to go ahead with this film based on whether it aligns with the new creative direction they’re taking. There’s evidence the studio’s plans changed somewhat when succession planning for Kennedy began, and it’s certainly promising that Waititi was still commissioned to continue working on his script.
Dave Filoni, elevated to President and Chief Creative Officer, oversees the franchise’s storytelling vision with his extensive experience across The Clone Wars, Rebels, The Mandalorian, and Ahsoka. Working alongside Co-President Lynwen Brennan, the leadership team is now positioned to evaluate projects like Waititi’s through the lens of long-term cohesion and audience appeal.
Lucasfilm’s upcoming theatrical releases provide additional context for the timing of this update. The Mandalorian and Grogu, directed by Jon Favreau and bringing the popular Disney+ characters to the big screen, is set for release in theaters on May 22, 2026. Following that, Shawn Levy’s Star Wars: Starfighter, starring Ryan Gosling, is scheduled to arrive on May 28, 2027.
