Kathleen Kennedy Reveals What’s Next for the Future of Star Wars Films

Kathleen Kennedy has officially announced she’s leaving Lucasfilm, and in a recent interview with Deadline, she shared updates on several Star Wars movies that are in development, or on hold.

Kennedy revealed that James Mangold and Beau Willimon wrote a “Dawn of the Jedi” script that she called incredible, but it’s currently paused. “Jim Mangold and Beau Willimon wrote an incredible script, but it is definitely breaking the mold, and it’s on hold,” she said.

She also discussed Taika Waititi’s upcoming project, saying the script is funny and strong. “Taika [Waititi] has turned in a script that I think is hilarious and great. It’s not just my decision, especially when I’ve got a foot out the door,” Kennedy explained.

Donald Glover has also submitted a script for a Lando story. “Donald Glover has turned in a script,” she confirmed. Meanwhile, a project with Steve Soderbergh and Adam Driver, written by Scott Burns, is still on the table. Kennedy added, “It was just great. Anything’s a possibility if somebody’s willing to take a risk.”

Interestingly, Kennedy did not mention other previously announced projects, including the Rey Skywalker movie by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy or Dave Filoni’s Heir to the Empire film, leaving fans uncertain about their status.

On a more positive note, Kennedy confirmed that Simon Kinberg’s new trilogy is moving forward, even though it’s being reworked. “[Kinberg] is working right now. He wrote something that we read in August, and it was very good, but not there. We’ve pretty much upended the story, and then spent a great deal of time on the treatment, which he finished literally about four weeks ago. And it’s a very detailed treatment, like 70 pages. And so he is expected to give us something in March,” she said.

Looking ahead, Kennedy hinted at which projects might move forward under the new Lucasfilm leadership of Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan.

“Mangold’s is really on the back burner as is Soderbergh’s. I think the ones by Taika and Donald are still somewhat alive. That’s going to really be up to the new team to figure out. I know that [new Lucasfilm heads] Dave and Lynwen are very much on board with what Simon’s doing, and that would be a new trilogy. In the timeline of things, that takes you well into 2030 plus. So that’s really what’s up next,” Kennedy explained.

With The Mandalorian and Grogu projects coming out this year, and Star Wars: Starfighter set for next year, the future of the Star Wars cinematic universe is beginning to take shape, even if some films remain on hold.

It seems like good news for fans of Taika Waititi and Donald Glover, but potentially disappointing for those hoping for Mangold’s Dawn of the Jedi or the Rey Skywalker film. Kennedy’s update gives a clearer picture of what’s moving forward and what may need to wait.

What do you think about these updates? Which upcoming Star Wars project are you most excited to see? Share your thoughts in the comments.