Rogue Squadron Writer Clarifies the Status of the Star Wars Film

The trajectory of Director Patty Jenkins’ long-gestating Star Wars project, Rogue Squadron, has been anything but linear. Following its grand unveiling in 2020, Variety suggested in 2023 that the film had been indefinitely sidelined. However, persistent industry speculation hints that this high-flying adventure may still have life in it. The recent news regarding Kathleen Kennedy’s departure from Lucasfilm has only intensified the uncertainty surrounding the studio’s massive development slate.

While discussing his upcoming sci-fi comedy Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die (directed by Gore Verbinski), screenwriter Matthew Robinson provided rare insight into the Rogue Squadron script he co-wrote with Jenkins. In a franchise often defined by impenetrable non-disclosure agreements, Robinson was refreshingly candid about the project’s creative direction and its current status.

“Writing that was an incredible experience,” Robinson remarked. “Patty Jenkins is a phenomenal artist—truly brilliant—and our creative partnership was fantastic. Regarding Lucasfilm’s current plans, your guess is as good as mine. The studio is in a significant state of transition following Kathleen’s exit, and their theatrical roadmap remains a question mark.”

Robinson elaborated on the emotional core of the film, noting how personal the project was for the Wonder Woman director. “It was a thrill to explore that world, particularly through Patty’s lens. She wanted to tell a deeply human story about the people in those cockpits. Her own father was a fighter pilot, which brought a unique authenticity to the narrative. We were aiming for a grounded, visceral experience focused on the pilots of Rogue Squadron. I’m proud of what we built and hope that version eventually finds its way to audiences.”

Despite Lucasfilm finding sustained success in the streaming space, Robinson acknowledged that the theatrical side is at a crossroads. While projects like The Mandalorian and Grogu aim to bridge the gap between Disney Plus and the big screen, the franchise still faces the daunting task of reclaiming its cinematic dominance following the polarizing conclusion of the Skywalker Saga. Rogue Squadron was once seen as the perfect vehicle to reignite that big-screen spark.

Initial reports from StarWars.com in 2020 teased a film that would introduce “a new generation of starfighter pilots as they earn their wings and risk their lives in a boundary-pushing, high-speed thrill ride.” It was a concept designed to honor the legacy of the original trilogy while propelling the narrative into the galaxy’s future—a potential classic that currently remains in a hangar, waiting for clearance to take off.

Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die premieres in theaters on February 13.

Source: Polygon