Kathleen Kennedy Admits Star Wars Films Are on Hold as She Exits Lucasfilm

Kathleen Kennedy has confirmed what many suspected: most upcoming Star Wars films are effectively paused as Lucasfilm transitions to new leadership under Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan.

In a wide‑ranging exit interview with Deadline, Kennedy acknowledged that multiple high‑profile Star Wars projects are either on hold, backburnered, or awaiting decisions from the incoming leadership team.

Notably, she made no mention at all of the Daisy Ridley New Jedi Order movie.

Major Star Wars Projects Put on Ice

When asked directly about the status of various Star Wars films tied to big‑name filmmakers, Kennedy was blunt.

James Mangold’s Star Wars movie, written with Beau Willimon, is on hold despite what she called an “incredible script” that breaks the mold (Mangold recently signed a huge deal with Paramount). She also confirmed that the Steve Soderbergh project, written by Scott Burns and involving Adam Driver, is likewise on the back burner:

 “I’ve got to tread a bit carefully here. Jim Mangold and Beau Willimon wrote an incredible script, but it is definitely breaking the mold and it’s on hold.”

“Mangold’s is really on the back burner as is Soderbergh’s.”

Taika Waititi, Donald Glover, and Rian Johnson Status

Taika Waititi has turned in a script that Kennedy described as “hilarious and great,” but she stressed it’s no longer her decision to move it forward.

Donald Glover has also submitted a script, which remains in limbo:

“Taika 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. Donald Glover has turned in a script.” 

“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.” 

As for Rian Johnson, Kennedy suggested his return to Star Wars stalled due to his Knives Out commitments at Netflix and the backlash surrounding The Last Jedi. She said Johnson “got spooked” by online negativity, despite her belief that The Last Jedi is one of the franchise’s best films:

“Once he made the Netflix deal and went off to start doing the Knives Out films, that has occupied a huge amount of his time. That’s the other thing that happens here.” 

“And then I do believe he got spooked by the online negativity. I think Rian made one of the best Star Wars movies. He’s a brilliant filmmaker and he got spooked. This is the rough part. When people come into this space, I have every filmmaker and actors say to me, ‘What’s going to happen?’ They’re a little scared.”

Simon Kinberg Trilogy Still Alive

The only project Kennedy explicitly said has strong internal support is Simon Kinberg’s proposed new trilogy.

Kinberg recently completed a detailed 70‑page treatment after Lucasfilm reworked the story, with a full draft expected soon. Kennedy said both Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan are “very much on board” with Kinberg’s direction, which would push Star Wars theatrical plans well into the 2030s.

“He’s 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.”

No Mention of Daisy Ridley’s New Jedi Order

Perhaps the most telling detail from the interview is what Kennedy didn’t say.

Despite previous announcements and ongoing speculation, Kennedy made zero reference to Daisy Ridley and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s New Jedi Order movie. When outlining the future slate, she instead focused on Kinberg’s trilogy, the Mandalorian & Grogu film, and Shawn Levy’s Star Wars: Starfighter.

The omission strongly suggests the Ridley project is either stalled or no longer a priority under the new regime. It’s been thought Disney yanked the project from its release schedule and has been canceled.

A Clean Hand‑Off to Filoni

Kennedy emphasized that decisions on which Star Wars films move forward now belong to Filoni and Brennan.

While she remains open to producing projects she helped develop, she said she is not mandating anything and wants the new leadership to fully own the creative direction.