‘Star Wars’: Kevin Feige & Patty Jenkins Movies Shelved As Taika Waititi & Damon Lindelof Movies Move Into Frontrunner Position

There’s a minor disturbance in the force, but there always is when it comes to Lucasfilm and “Star Wars” Celebration. And what we mean by that is Lucasfilm always makes major “Star Wars” updates at Celebration—which is coming up in April of this year in the U.K.—and the nature of development over at the company, which has been admittedly a little rocky over the last few years, means, some projects go forward and some get nixed (and honestly, this is a better approach than just releasing a movie with a weak script because it has a release date like a lot of blockbusters).

READ MORE: The Future Of ‘Star Wars’: Lucasfilm, Let The Past Die, Kill It You Have To [The Playlist Podcast]

So, here is the update, and if you heard these are rumors, they are true. You’ll remember that Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige once had a “Star Wars” movie in the works with “Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness” writer Michael Waldron. Feige is a huge “Star Wars” fan and had an original idea, but it’s been shelved, according to Variety, a rumor that had been whispered around in recent weeks.

The trade says Feige’s film is no longer in active development at Lucasfilm, and part of that might just be because Feige and Waldron are knee-deep in development with Phase 5 and 6 at Marvel. Waldron is writing Marvel’s “Avengers: Secret Wars” movie. It’s probably just keeping them super busy.

Entirely less surprising is the news that “Wonder Woman” filmmaker Patty Jenkins’ “Star Wars: Rogue Squadron” film has been scrapped because that was the word on the film almost two years ago (though it was only officially taken off the schedule in September 2022). Rian Johnson’s “Star Wars” trilogy was mentioned in the report too, but given he still owes Netflix one more “Knives Out” film, it still could be years away, if it ever comes at all.

So what of the open December 2025 release date, currently being saved for a “Star Wars” film? Well, filmmaker Taika Waititi’s movie is an option, and he’s still working on it, apparently. Waititi voiced IG-11 on “The Mandalorian” and directed episodes of season one. Evidently, the filmmaker would also have a substantial role in the movie if he ever gets his script approved, but the fact that it isn’t dead is hopeful.

What definitely seems next is a “Star Wars” film from producer Damon Lindelof (“Watchmen”) and filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, a two-time Oscar-winning documentarian (“Saving Face,” “A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness”), who made her live-action narrative debut with two episodes of “Ms. Marvel” for Disney+ last year. Lindelof is writing that film with Justin Britt-Gibson (“Counterpart”). While there are no details and no confirmation from Variety or Lucasfilm, the movie is heavily rumored to be the next “Star Wars” movie set to come out in 2025.

Additional rumors, unsubstantiated so far, say that Daisy Ridley could have a part and reprise her Rey Skywalker character in the film. Additionally, Oscar Isaac and John Boyega could be involved too—so the rumors say—and it would be set in the current timeline but center on a new team and new mission with the Episode 6-9 cast on the sidelines and or somewhat involved. That’s the rumor anyhow, including whispers of Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (who will play Marvel’s Wonder Man) being eyed for a role.

Much is still unknown about “Star Wars” Celebration, but here’s what you should expect: updates about “Andor” season two; Leslye Headland’s “The Acolyte” expected in 2024, Jon Watts’ “Skeleton Crew” series, which could come out in late 2023; and the first major promotional push for “Ahsoka,” starring Rosario Dawson. Spun off from both the animated “Star Wars: Clone Wars” and “The Mandalorian,” the “Ahoska” show aims to debut in late summer of this year.