The Films Kathleen Kennedy Mentioned — And the Missing Rey Movie: A Status Guide to Star Wars’ Development Slate

Why fans are confused — and why this guide matters

If you've been trying to parse the chaos of Star Wars development news — half-announced movies, glowing director reveals, then months of silence — you're not alone. Fans and podcast hosts alike have been frustrated by patchy updates, conflicting trade reports, and a glaring omission: the promised Rey standalone that was announced with fanfare at Star Wars Celebration 2023. This guide takes Kathleen Kennedy's exit interview updates (Jan 2026) as a starting point, lists every project she named, highlights the ones she didn't, and explains what each project's current status likely means for real-world release plans.

Topline: What Kennedy said on exit (and what she didn’t)

In a January 2026 interview with Deadline while stepping down as Lucasfilm president, Kathleen Kennedy gave a blunt, inside look at several high-profile Star Wars films in development. She praised scripts and directors but labelled several projects as stalled or “on the back burner.” Importantly, Kennedy did not mention the Rey standalone (Daisy Ridley + Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy), which had been revealed at Celebration 2023.

“We’re pretty far along,” Kennedy said of the 2023 film slate — but she also admitted that some projects are now on hold or deprioritized as leadership and strategy change. (Deadline, Jan 2026)

Quick list of projects Kennedy referenced

• James Mangold’s historical Jedi film (often called Dawn of the Jedi) — described as on hold despite an “incredible” script by Mangold and Beau Willimon.
• Taika Waititi’s film — Kennedy indicated there’s a finished script and that the project exists but its timeline is uncertain.
• Donald Glover’s Lando movie — reportedly has a finished script; development status unclear.
• Steven Soderbergh / Ben Solo movie — Kennedy said it’s on the “back burner” and not likely in the near term despite a praised script.

What Kennedy didn’t say — and what everyone noticed — was any update on the Rey standalone announced with Daisy Ridley and director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy at Star Wars Celebration 2023.

Project-by-project status and what it likely means

James Mangold — "Dawn of the Jedi" (status: on hold)

Kennedy called Mangold’s film a bold, “breaking the mold” project and confirmed the script (Mangold + Beau Willimon) is excellent, but she expressly said it is “on hold.” This movie was reportedly planned to be set tens of thousands of years before the Skywalker era — a radical departure from the films that anchor the current streaming universe.

Practical reading of that language:

• If a film is “on hold” after a script pass, it typically means studio executives want to wait for the right leadership, budget conditions, or a creative plan that ties the film into broader IP strategy.
• Given Dave Filoni’s promotion to Lucasfilm president (Jan 2026), a historical Jedi epic that sits outside existing character webs is less likely to be prioritized than projects that extend the Filoni-driven TV continuity (The Mandalorian, Ahsoka, etc.).
• Likelihood of a theatrical release in the near term: low. Reasonable timeline if revived: 3–7+ years, or it could be reworked as a limited series if Filoni opts for TV-first storytelling.

Taika Waititi’s Star Wars film (status: script-ready, timeline uncertain)

Kennedy said there’s a finished script for Waititi’s film. That’s a significant creative milestone — a finished screenplay reduces one major studio risk — but it doesn’t guarantee production.

Why this one could be delayed:

• Taika Waititi has a busy slate of personal projects and may prioritize non-Star Wars work.
• Lucasfilm has been shifting toward serialized TV under Filoni; Waititi’s sensibility could be suited to a streaming special or series as an alternative to big theatrical spend.
• Waititi’s film could be moved up the list if Disney/Filoni decide a big-name director with a distinctive voice will help re-energize theatrical releases.

Practical timeline: medium probability for eventual delivery, 2–5 years if greenlit quickly, longer if rescheduled for TV.

Donald Glover’s Lando (status: script-ready, development ongoing)

Kennedy said there are finished scripts for Donald Glover’s Lando project. That’s the good news; the uncertainty is logistical — Glover’s own schedule, casting, and whether Lucasfilm sees Lando as a theatrical tentpole or a streaming event.

Signals to watch:

• Is Donald Glover publicly attached and promoting the project? His level of involvement is a leading indicator.
• Are producers booking soundstages, VFX houses, or releasing casting notices? Those often precede filming by months.

Release probability: medium. If filmed, expect a 12–24 month turnaround to release; if repositioned for streaming, timelines will vary.

Steven Soderbergh / Ben Solo (status: back burner / unlikely short-term)

Kennedy put this project in the “back burner” category and explicitly suggested it’s not very likely to be produced soon despite strong scripts. This aligns with earlier reports that Disney had previously shelved certain standalone scripts for financial and strategic reasons.

Bottom line: low probability in the near term. This one may only return if Lucasfilm’s leadership shifts toward a different long-term film strategy.

The missing Rey standalone (Daisy Ridley + Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy): the omission that matters

Why the omission is noteworthy: The Rey project was announced with Daisy Ridley and director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy at Star Wars Celebration 2023 as a flagship return of a major character. That made it one of the most anticipated entries on the 2023 slate. Kennedy’s failure to mention Rey during her 2026 wrap-up — while discussing other big-name projects — raised red flags.

What the omission could mean (reading the signals):

• Not confirmed = not canceled: Studios often keep projects quiet during negotiation, rewrites, or while re-aligning strategy under new leadership. Silence is not proof of cancellation.
• Priority shift: Filoni’s rise suggests Lucasfilm may favor projects that directly tie into ongoing TV continuity. A Rey movie that exists as an isolated follow-up to The Rise of Skywalker may be less strategically valuable unless it connects to Filoni’s vision.
• Timing & talent availability: Daisy Ridley’s schedule, Sharmeen’s commitments, and broader market conditions (post-2025 theatrical recalibration) all affect whether the project moves to active production.
• Possible outcomes:
  • Quiet continuation: script revisions and planned production, unannounced until near shoot dates.
  • Rework into a series: moving the story to Disney+ to align with Filoni’s serialized focus.
  • Delay or indefinite hold: deprioritized in favor of other Filoni-era projects.

Practical advice for interpreting future signs: watch for official production notices, Daisy Ridley’s public statements, guild filings (SAG/AFTRA, DGA), and Lucasfilm slate announcements at major events (Star Wars Celebration, D23, Disney investor days).

What Dave Filoni’s presidency likely changes (Jan 2026 context)

With Dave Filoni elevated to Lucasfilm president and remaining Chief Creative Officer (Jan 2026), the creative filter for new Star Wars content has shifted. Filoni’s track record emphasizes long-form TV storytelling, character arcs, and connections across series (Ahsoka, The Mandalorian, Skeleton Crew).

That matters because:

• Canonical continuity is prioritized: Projects that can integrate with Filoni’s storytelling web will be favored.
• Theater-first epics face more scrutiny: Big budget, timeline-detached films (e.g., Dawn of the Jedi) may be pushed back unless they connect to franchise continuity or promise significant box-office upside.
• Cross-platform flexibility increases: Film concepts may be adapted to streaming to ensure audience retention on Disney+.

How the slate likely maps to release windows (realistic scenarios)

Based on Kennedy’s comments, Filoni’s appointment, and standard Hollywood production timelines, here’s a practical, conservative mapping of what to expect:

• Near-term (2026–2028): Filoni-linked TV (Mandalorian/Ahsoka sequels, direct spinoffs) and any film projects already in pre-production with booked production windows. New theatrical Star Wars films are unlikely to flood the 2026 calendar.
• Mid-term (2028–2031): Projects with finished scripts (Waititi, Glover/Lando) could arrive here if greenlit and scheduled to shoot within 18–36 months. The Rey movie could appear here if it regains priority and production starts in 2026–2027.
• Long-term (2031+): Ambitious historical epics (Mangold’s Dawn of the Jedi) and shelved standalone ideas. These will depend on strategic success of Filoni-era stories and Disney’s appetite for big theatrical returns.

Actionable tips for fans and community podcasters tracking the slate

Sorting signal from noise is the daily challenge for fandom commentators. Use these concrete tactics to stay informed and avoid rumor traps:

1. Follow primary sources: StarWars.com, official Lucasfilm social accounts, and Disney investor communications for announcements. Trade reports (Deadline, Variety, THR) are vital but wait for official confirmation.
2. Monitor guild filings and production listings: SAG/AFTRA and DGA filings, AIM listings, and local film office permits often reveal real production activity weeks to months before announcement.
3. Track key creative accounts: Follow Dave Filoni, Daisy Ridley, Taika Waititi, James Mangold, Donald Glover, and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy for direct hints and project confirmations.
4. Use trade pattern reading: If VFX vendors, concept artists, or major stunt coordinators announce Star Wars work, that’s a reliable pre-shoot signal.
5. Calibrate expectations: A “finished script” is crucial but not definitive; the studio still must approve budget, marketing plans, and release windows.

Advanced strategies for predicting release timing (for podcasters and analysts)

Want to level up your coverage? These are the industry moves that almost always precede a public announcement:

• Director & star availability windows: if leads block months in their calendars, production is likely imminent.
• Studio stage and soundstage bookings: months-long reservations in UK, LA, or Atlanta are strong indicators.
• VFX pipeline ramp-up: announcements from large VFX houses about new Star Wars pipelines are often timed to expected shoot completion dates.
• Merchandising & licensing rollouts: toy license covenants and pre-viz assets for merch typically go into motion several months before release plans are firmed.

What to watch and why (content to fill the Rey-shaped gap)

For fans looking to stay engaged while film news bubbles, prioritize content that reveals Lucasfilm’s creative priorities:

• New episodes and seasons of Filoni-led TV (Ahsoka, Mandalorian, Skeleton Crew): These show what characters and themes the studio is leaning into.
• Official tie-in novels and comics: Lucasfilm often uses publishing to expand narratives while productions are shaped.
• Director/creator interviews and convention panels: These often give the clearest non-press-release signals about intent and timeline.

Final assessment: realistic takeaways

• Rey film: not confirmed dead, but not safe either. The omission is material; expect either a quiet rework, a pivot to streaming, or a delay while Filoni evaluates the project’s fit.
• Mangold’s epochal Jedi origin story: creative treasure, strategic risk. On hold and unlikely short-term unless retooled to fit a Filoni-led plan.
• Waititi and Glover/Lando: scripts exist — higher chance of eventual production, but timelines depend on greenlighting choices and resource allocation under new leadership.
• Soderbergh/Ben Solo: low probability in the near future.

Where this leaves fans and creators in 2026

2026 is a transitional year for Star Wars. Leadership has shifted, strategy is being reassessed, and several high-profile scripts sit in creative limbo. For fans, that means staying patient and using verified signals to update expectations. For creators and podcasters, it means orienting coverage around Filoni-era series while watching the traditional indicators that a film has moved from concept to production.

Call to action

Want the most reliable, fan-friendly tracking of Star Wars projects as the Filoni era unfolds? Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly breakdowns, production-signal alerts, and episode-by-episode analysis. Join our forum or send your top-3 project predictions — we'll feature the best ones on our next podcast. Stay curious, and keep your sources tight: this slate will continue to shift in 2026.

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