James Mangold’s First Jedi Movie Reportedly Canceled

As Kathleen Kennedy prepares to conclude her tenure as the head of Lucasfilm, she has provided a comprehensive update on the state of the Star Wars cinematic universe. In an expansive conversation with Deadline, Kennedy revealed a mix of progress and stagnation. Perhaps most disappointing for fans of experimental storytelling is the news that James Mangold’s Jedi origin epic, *Dawn of the Jedi*, has been placed on indefinite hiatus, despite possessing what Kennedy described as an “incredible” screenplay.

Mangold’s project was intended to venture back 25,000 years before the Skywalker era to explore the genesis of the Force. However, it appears to have met the same fate as the scrapped Ben Solo film from Steven Soderbergh and Adam Driver. According to Kennedy, while these scripts were exceptional, they were perhaps too radical for the studio’s current appetite, leaving them relegated to the “back burner.”

Other long-gestating projects, including Donald Glover’s Lando Calrissian movie and Taika Waititi’s idiosyncratic feature, remain in a state of precarious limbo. Kennedy characterized these as “still somewhat alive,” but noted that their ultimate production will be determined by her successors, Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan. While she praised Waititi’s script for its humor and brilliance, she acknowledged that she is no longer the final arbiter of these decisions.

Instead, the franchise’s immediate future seems to be coalescing around more traditional narratives. Following the release of *The Mandalorian and Grogu* and 2027’s *Star Wars: Starfighter*, the spotlight shifts to a new trilogy spearheaded by Simon Kinberg. This project, which features entirely original characters, has reportedly earned the full support of Filoni and Brennan. Kinberg has already delivered a comprehensive story treatment and is currently refining the screenplay.

The disparity between these projects suggests a strategic pivot. While Mangold and Waititi sought to challenge the established Star Wars formula—a move Kennedy personally admired—the studio appears hesitant to take such creative risks. “The studio is nervous about that,” Kennedy admitted, referring to the unconventional nature of the sidelined projects.

When questioned about Rian Johnson’s long-rumored trilogy, Kennedy offered a lukewarm update. While not officially cancelled, the project seems increasingly unlikely as Johnson remains occupied with his *Knives Out* franchise and remains wary of the toxic online discourse that followed *The Last Jedi*.

Conversely, the door remains ajar for a continuation of Shawn Levy’s *The Last Starfighter*. Though originally conceived as a standalone experience, the breakout performance of young actor Flynn Gray has sparked internal discussions about potential sequels. While Kennedy is stepping down as president, she intends to remain involved in the industry as a producer, leaving her the option to shepherd specific projects in the future.

Notably absent from Kennedy’s update were several high-profile projects, including Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s Rey-centric sequel and Dave Filoni’s own theatrical feature intended to bridge the gaps between *The Mandalorian* and *Ahsoka*. With Filoni currently focused on the second season of *Ahsoka* and his new executive responsibilities, his directorial debut on the big screen may be further off than initially anticipated.

Source: Polygon