Screenwriters Damon Lindelof and Justin Britt-Gibson are no longer working on the still-untitled “Star Wars” movie only days after turning in their completed script.
The two had been working on the script along with Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy of “Ms. Marvel” fame. At this time, it seems the Oscar-winning documentarian is still attached to direct the project.
Screenwriters Damon Lindelof and Justin Britt-Gibson Leave ‘Star Wars’ Days After Delivering Script
Late Monday night, Above The Line reported that “The Leftovers” creator Damon Lindelof and Justin Britt-Gibson had left their top-secret Star Wars project only a few days after turning in their draft of the script in mid-February.
Although sources told the outlet that a new writer has already been hired to make revisions, the identity of this writer has not been disclosed. Production is reported to start on February 2024 ahead of the film’s reported release date of December 19, 2025.
Although plot details are still under wraps, more details are expected to drop at the annual Star Wars Celebration event, which kicks off next month in London. The film currently doesn’t have a title or any cast members attached to the project, but that could be coming.
Damon Lindelof On His ‘Star Wars’ Movie: ‘If It Can’t Be Great, It Shouldn’t Exist’
Fans have been ultimately let down by the last few Star Wars films to hit theaters, including the sequel trilogy which wrapped up the nine-episode Skywalker Saga with 2019’s polarizing “The Rise of Skywalker.” The film was the last Star Wars movie to hit theaters and it seems that fans might have to wait six years, if not longer, to see another movie in theaters again.
Earlier this month, at SXSW, Lindelof spoke to SlashFilm and seemed to cast doubt on his continued involvement in a galaxy far, far away. “I will just say, that for reasons that I can’t get into on this Sunday morning, on this day, the degree of difficulty is extremely, extremely, extremely high,” he said. “If it can’t be great, it shouldn’t exist.”
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“That’s all I’ll say, because I have the same association with it as you do, which is, it’s the first movie I saw sitting in my dad’s lap, four years old, May of ’77,” he continued. “I think it’s possible that sometimes when you hold something in such high reverence and esteem, you start to get in the kitchen and you just go, ‘Maybe I shouldn’t be cooking. Maybe I should just be eating.’ We’ll just leave it at that point.”
Secret ‘Star Wars’ Film Rumored To Take Place After ‘The Rise Of Skywalker’
In October 2022, Damon Lindelof shared a few hints about his new Star Wars movie with The Hollywood Reporter. Although the script might change since it has left his hands, Lindelof had originally intended for his movie to take place as a standalone film with the possibility of a sequel if the movie was well-received.
Sources said that the movie would take place after “The Rise of Skywalker” in the Star Wars timeline, but it would not be a direct continuation of the Skywalker Saga. Still, that left room for several fan-favorite characters to return, such as Daisy Ridley‘s Rey, John Boyega‘s Finn, Oscar Isaac‘s Poe Dameron, or even Adam Driver‘s redeemed Ben Solo in the form of a Force Ghost.
John Boyega Has No Plans To Return As Finn
John Boyega has been vocal about his role as Finn in the sequel trilogy. The former Stormtrooper later became a Force-sensitive Resistance hero, although his character was pushed to the sidelines with each passing movie.
In an August 2022 interview with Vanity Fair, Boyega admitted that he is still a fan of the franchise, saying, “People always get shocked! Industry issues have nothing to do with Star Wars and me being a fan of it. I’ve been watching Obi-Wan, I’ve been watching The Mandalorian.”
“I’m still forever going to be a fan of this franchise. As far as Finn is concerned? I’m good on that,” he added, saying that he would still support his costars if they chose to return.
“At this point, I’m cool off it. I’m good off it,” Boyega said in an August 2022 interview with SiriusXM’s Tell Me Everything With John Fugelsang when asked if he would play the character again. “I think Finn is at a good confirmation point where you can just enjoy him in other things, the games, the animation. But I feel like ‘[Episode] VII’ to ‘[Episode] IX’ was good for me.”
