's upcoming movie has found a new writer, one that might bring a bit of espionage to the franchise. At Star Wars Celebration 2022, Lucasfilm announced three new Star Wars movies. The one that seemed to gain the most traction was one set to feature Daisy Ridley returning as Rey and would pick up 15 years after the events of The Rise of Skywalker. The movie had acclaimed documentary filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy set to make her feature film directorial debut. Yet, like many Star Wars productions, the film faced many delays and went through two sets of writers. The movie now seems back on track as a writer with a history of sequels and a knack for sci-fi will take a crack at the script.
The Hollywood Reporter revealed that George Nolfi had been hired to pen the script for the new Star Wars movie centered on the character of Rey. Nolfi is best known for serving as the screenwriter on Ocean's 12 and The Bourne Ultimatum. He also wrote and directed the 2011 film The Adjustment Bureau. The Hollywood Reporter refers to Rey's Star Wars movie as titled New Jedi Order, but neither Lucasfilm nor Disney has yet to confirm a title officially.
Nolfi is the third writer to join the troubled Star Wars production. The movie was originally set to be written by Damon Lindelof and Justin Britt-Gibson, but the duo departed the film before the director, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, signed onto the project. Steven Knight, the creator of Peaky Blinders, was hired to pen the script but departed the project in October 2024. This delayed production and the Daisy Ridley-led Star Wars film's possible December 2026 release date was taken by Ice Age 6.
The news that Nolfi is set to take a pass at the script for the next Star Wars film is a promising development, though given how the past writers have dropped out, this doesn't mean the movie is fully back on track. Despite being announced in 2022, the Rey-led movie now seems to have taken a back seat to the Shawn Levy-directed Star Wars film that will reportedly star Ryan Gosling. That movie is expected to take the planned December 2027 slot that Disney has saved; meaning fans might not see the Rey-led Star Wars movie until 2028.
Related
Two Potential Jedi Could Be Jod's Mystery Master from 'Skeleton Crew'
Two fan-favorite Jedi Knights from 'Star Wars: The Clone Wars' could be the mysterious Jedi from Jod's past in 'Skeleton Crew'.'
Nolfi is certainly an interesting pick for a Star Wars project, given his history of writing and directing thrillers. His hiring, along with previous writer Steven Knight, certainly paints a very different picture of the story and tone this Star Wars movie might be going for. Given Nolfi's experience on Ocean's 12, it will likely still see Rey assembling a team of Jedi. Yet, based on the behind-the-scenes talent involved, it might suggest the movie will be closer to Andor than The Force Awakens. It will be interesting to see if Nolfi has now been brought on to help connect this planned Rey-centric Jedi film with any future Star Wars projects, as a report in November 2024 suggested multiple Star Wars projects in development were centered on Daisy Ridley's Jedi character.
