People like to compare Star Wars and Star Trek, but one way they’ve been similar lately is their inability to get another feature film off the ground. The last time we saw a new Star Wars movie on the big screen was the release of The Rise of Skywalker four years ago, but Lucasfilm has had no shortage of potential movies in development. Unfortunately, those projects almost never move forward, and Variety has reported that the Star Wars movies from Kevin Feige and Patty Jenkins have been shelved.
Lucasfilm first tapped Patty Jenkins to direct Rogue Squadron back in December 2020, but the project was later pulled from the studio’s schedule. A source with knowledge of the production told Variety that Rogue Squadron is no longer in active development. The Star Wars movie that was set to be produced by Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige from a script by Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness writer Michael Waldron is also no longer in active development.
Patty Jenkins spoke about the Rogue Squadron delay late last year, saying that she could still return to the Star Wars project later. “I originally left Rogue Squadron after a long and productive development process when it became clear it couldn’t happen soon enough and I did not want to delay WW3 any further,” Jenkins wrote. “When I did, Lucasfilm asked me to consider coming back to RS after WW3, which I was honored to do, so I agreed. They made a new deal with me. In fact, I am still on it and that project has been in active development ever since. I don’t know if it will happen or not. We never do until the development process is complete, but I look forward to its potential ahead.”
Although those Star Wars projects may be shelved, Taika Waititi is still working on his movie. Not only would Waititi direct the project, but Variety also claims that he’s looking to appear in the movie as well, with the role being “similar in prominence” to the one he played in Jojo Rabbit. The other Star Wars project that is still said to be in development is one that would be directed by Ms. Marvel helmer Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and written by Damon Lindelof and Justin Britt-Gibson. It remains to be seen what the next Star Wars movie will be, but sources told Variety that something is likely to be revealed at the upcoming Star Wars Celebration in London next month.
Honestly, I would rather have no Star Wars news until Lucasfilm has something concrete in mind. Fans are undoubtedly tired of hearing about potential projects only to have them languish in development hell.