The Force is stirring again — and this time, it comes with patience.
On December 28, 2025, Daisy Ridley sent the Star Wars fandom into a frenzy after offering a rare update on the long-awaited Star Wars: New Jedi Order. While speaking during the press tour for We Bury The Dead, Ridley reassured fans that progress is happening — even if it’s slower than many hoped.
“It will arrive when it’s ready, and it will be worth the wait,” she said, confirming she recently spoke with Kathleen Kennedy, who described the project as “amazing.”
That single word has ignited speculation across Reddit threads and fan forums. Is Lucasfilm quietly crafting a bold new era? Or carefully rebuilding confidence after years of divisive reactions to the sequel trilogy?
A 15-Year Leap Into the Future
Set 15 years after The Rise of Skywalker, the film positions Rey not as a scavenger or reluctant hero — but as the architect of a new Jedi legacy. The timeline jump alone has triggered intense debate. Fans are asking: What happened in those missing years? Did Rey succeed in restoring the Jedi Order — or did something go terribly wrong?
The project is being directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and written by George Nolfi, signaling a potentially more character-driven and politically layered chapter for the franchise. Yet the lack of a release date has fueled anxiety, with some insiders suggesting the studio is prioritizing script precision over speed.
Meanwhile, The Galaxy Moves On
While “New Jedi Order” remains in development, other corners of the franchise are moving at lightspeed.
The Mandalorian and Grogu is set to hit theaters on May 22, 2026 — marking the first theatrical Star Wars release in years. The film’s transition from streaming success to big-screen spectacle is being closely watched as a test of the franchise’s cinematic revival.
Then there’s Star Wars: Starfighter, directed by Shawn Levy and starring Ryan Gosling alongside rising talent Flynn Gray. With a May 28, 2027 release date, that project has already wrapped filming — a stark contrast to Rey’s slower journey back to the screen.
Behind the Scenes: Pressure, Expectation, and Redemption
Industry observers note that New Jedi Order carries enormous weight. Rey remains one of the most polarizing figures in modern franchise cinema. For some, she represents empowerment and renewal. For others, unresolved storytelling choices from the sequel era still linger.
Lucasfilm appears keenly aware of that divide. Sources close to the production suggest the creative team is aiming to rebuild narrative cohesion and re-center the mythology around hope, legacy, and rebuilding — themes deeply embedded in the franchise’s DNA.
For Ridley, the return is personal. After years away from lightsabers and hyperspace, stepping back into Rey’s boots means confronting both expectation and scrutiny. Yet her calm confidence suggests something deliberate is unfolding behind closed doors.
The Waiting Game
The message from Lucasfilm is clear: no rushed timelines, no premature reveals. Just patience.
And in a franchise built on destiny, perhaps timing is everything.
Whether “New Jedi Order” becomes a triumphant rebirth or the most scrutinized chapter yet, one thing is certain — the galaxy is watching, and the anticipation has never been more intense.