As Kathleen Kennedy prepares to leave Lucasfilm this week, she’s also offering the clearest snapshot yet of where several long-gestating, amd much-rumored, Star Wars films actually stand.
Speaking to Deadline, in what’s being dubbed “The Exit interview,” Kennedy acknowledged that while Lucasfilm has attracted some of the most sought-after filmmakers working today, boldness and risk aversion remain in tension — leaving many projects alive, or quietly stalled.
James Mangold’s film, co-written with “Andor” creator Beau Willimon, is one of the most creatively ambitious — and uncertain. Kennedy described the script as “incredible” and said it “breaks the mold,” but confirmed the project is currently “on hold.” While she didn’t rule it out permanently, Mangold’s film is firmly on the “back burner” as Lucasfilm reassesses its long-term direction.
Taika Waititi’s film, by contrast, remains “somewhat alive” — at least creatively. Kennedy revealed that Waititi has already turned in a completed script, calling it “hilarious and great.” However, she emphasized that with her exit looming, its fate will ultimately be decided by the incoming leadership team. The project is still in play, but not guaranteed.
Donald Glover’s Star Wars project is further along than many assumed. Kennedy confirmed that Glover has delivered a script, placing his film among the few with tangible material already written. Like Waititi’s, it’s considered “somewhat alive,” though its future will depend on whether Lucasfilm’s new regime is willing to take the creative risk.
Simon Kinberg’s Star Wars project is the most structured and forward-moving of the bunch. Initially, Kinberg submitted a draft in August that Kennedy said was “very good, but not there.” Since then, the story has been completely reworked. Kinberg recently delivered an extensive, roughly 70-page treatment, and he is now expected to submit a full script by March. Kennedy confirmed that Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan are strongly aligned with Kinberg’s vision, which is designed to start a new trilogy that would carry Star Wars well into the 2030s.
David Fincher, meanwhile, remains in the conversation but without a formal commitment. Kennedy described early discussions with Fincher as exploratory rather than active development. His involvement reflects her broader effort to court prestige auteurs, though she acknowledged that not every filmmaker is willing to devote the “three-to-five-year” commitment a Star Wars film requires.
Alex Garland falls into a similar category. Kennedy confirmed she has met with Garland and discussed the possibility of him entering the Star Wars universe, noting that his name immediately sparks intrigue internally. However, like Fincher, Garland has not formally committed to a project, underscoring how difficult it is to align Star Wars’ scale with filmmakers known for personal, challenging work.
Curiously, no mention of Patty Jenkins’ “Rogue Squadron,” or Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s Rey movie — have they been canceled? There wasn’t that much fan excitement regarding these films to begin with, and we’ve barely heard any updates from them. Meanwhile, Steven Soderbergh’s “The Hunt For Ben Solo,” starring Adam Driver, has a completed script, but according to Kennedy, is definitely not happening.
Regardless, taken together, Kennedy’s comments paint a picture of a franchise at a crossroads. Many of these projects are filmmaker-driven, and intentionally different from “same old” Star Wars — precisely what excites many … and what makes the studio nervous.
With Kennedy’s departure, the ultimate fate of Mangold, Waititi, Glover, Fincher, and Garland’s projects now rests with Lucasfilm’s next leadership era, while Simon Kinberg’s trilogy appears to be definitely happening.
Festival press conferences have turned into landmines of political questioning, to the point where some artists would probably prefer to turn down being a juror at Cannes, Venice, or Berlin.