The next big Star Wars movie is slowly but surely taking shape. In a new interview, director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy highlights what sets the film apart from all other installments in the saga
From 2015 to 2019, a new Star Wars film was released in cinemas every year. This has come to an end since the release of Star Wars 9: The Rise of Skywalker. While the star saga is being expanded on Disney+ with several series, fans are waiting in vain for the next big-screen adventure. Now there is a new sign of life
Director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy on the new Star Wars film with Daisy Ridley as Rey Skywalker
Three new Star Wars films were announced at Star Wars Celebration 2023. One of them continues the story of Rey Skywalker and brings Daisy Ridley back to the galaxy far, far away. Not too much is yet known about the New Jedi Order film. But one thing is already clear: it marks a milestone.
For the first time in the history of the franchise, which spans almost five decades, a woman is taking her place in the director’s chair of a Star Wars film. Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy (Ms. Marvel) is set to direct the Rey sequel. She told CNN that it’s high time a female director brought Star Wars to the movies.
I’m really excited about the project because I feel like we’re going to create something really special. We are in the year 2024 and it’s high time a woman created a story in a galaxy far, far away.
(Daisy Ridley in Star Wars 8: The Last Jedi)
Obaid-Chinoy’s involvement has been confirmed since April 2022, but so far the director has not revealed too much about her Star Wars vision. She was most specific in an interview with the Hollywood Reporter .
One of the things I love most about working in the Star Wars universe is the opportunity to contribute to a story that has a profound impact on countless people around the world. In my career, I’ve always been drawn to projects that hold a mirror up to society and reflect our collective experiences and values.
She was particularly inspired by Rey Skywalker’s journey.
[I’m drawn to the motif of the] hero’s journey because I’ve spent the last two decades filming men and women who face insurmountable challenges and find the courage to face adversity. That’s how I see Rey Skywalker, a strong Jedi Master who rebuilds the Jedi Order.
The New Jedi Order film is set 15 years after the events of the sequel trilogy and could bring back other familiar faces alongside Daisy Ridley. According to rumors, we can cautiously hope for a reunion with John Boyega as Finn. Apart from Ridley, however, no casting is official yet
(John Boyega in Star Wars 8: The Last Jedi)
While Obaid-Chinoy is the first female director to bring a Star Wars film to theaters, there have been several female directors on the series. Deborah Chow, Bryce Dallas Howard, Steph Green, Rachel Morrison, Jennifer Getzinger and Geeta Patel have all directed various episodes of live-action series such as The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett and Ahsoka in recent years. Chow has even directed all six episodes of Obi-Wan Kenobi.
