A former Star Wars writer has opened up about the cancelled Rey Skywalker spin-off film, Star Wars: New Jedi Order, offering new insight into its abandoned direction. The project, first announced in 2023 with Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy attached to direct, was meant to follow Rey’s efforts to rebuild the Jedi Order after The Rise of Skywalker.

However, the film has faced multiple development setbacks amid criticism of Lucasfilm’s handling of announced projects. Writer Damon Lindelof, known for The Leftovers and Watchmen, revealed he was removed from the project after two years of working on the screenplay.

He described the film’s intended themes as exploring “nostalgia” versus “revision,” framing the story as a meta-commentary on how the Star Wars legacy evolves.

Lindelof compared the concept to a “Reformation” within the franchise, suggesting a major thematic rethinking that ultimately did not move forward.

Despite the cancellation, Lucasfilm continues development on other Star Wars projects, including The Mandalorian and Grogu, set for release in 2026. Another upcoming film, Starfighter, directed by Shawn Levy and starring Ryan Gosling, Mia Goth, and Amy Adams, is also in development.

The Rey-centred project remains one of several high-profile Star Wars ideas that have struggled to progress beyond early stages.