Disney’s Star Wars film strategy seems lost in the desert, with plans for future movies clouded by indecision and questionable choices. While The Mandalorian & Grogu is the only confirmed project heading to theaters, much of the focus now seems to hinge on Rey, a divisive figure in the Star Wars fandom.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Lucasfilm views Rey as the franchise’s “most valuable cinematic asset” — perhaps its only one at this point. Rey is now being positioned as the centerpiece of the next cinematic era, with insiders hinting at internal debates within Lucasfilm about how to best use the character. The desperation here is palpable, as much of the cast from the sequel trilogy, Rey included, was saddled with narratives that failed to resonate like the original films.
Disney’s missteps are glaring. In the first five films of its Star Wars stewardship, the studio killed off almost every legacy character. Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, Ben Solo, and even Emperor Palpatine were all erased from the playing field. Standalone films like Rogue One wiped out entire casts in a single swoop, while Solo attempted to cash in on nostalgia by recasting a young Han Solo, to lukewarm reception. What’s left? The “new” trio of Rey, Finn, and Poe — characters who have yet to reach the iconic status of their predecessors.
Oscar Isaac (Moon Knight), who plays Poe, previously expressed disinterest in returning. John Boyega (Pacific Rim Uprising), whose Finn was grossly mishandled in the trilogy, has also hinted at a willingness to return, provided the character gets better treatment. Daisy Ridley (Young Woman and the Sea), who portrayed Rey, endured immense fan backlash and personal stress, yet she too seems ready for another outing. Despite its flaws, the sequel trilogy generated significant box office revenue, grossing over US$4.4 billion at the box office worldwide and underscoring Star Wars’ reliance on nostalgia.
But is this enough to carry the franchise forward?
Compounding these issues is Disney’s seeming refusal to pull from the deeper Star Wars lore. By abandoning Legends canon, they’ve closed the door on compelling narratives featuring characters like Jaina and Jacen Solo or Luke Skywalker’s romance with Mara Jade. By closing the door on these beloved characters, they’ve made it harder to build meaningful nostalgia, and banking on Rey alone may not be enough to sustain the franchise. Even Rey’s controversial rebranding as a “Skywalker” doesn’t carry the same weight as the original lineage. It feels like Lucasfilm is grasping at straws, at this point.
As of now, Ridley’s confirmed return in a film directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy will see Rey rebuilding the Jedi Order 15 years after The Rise of Skywalker. Beyond that, her involvement in other films remains speculative. Several upcoming projects, like James Mangold’s Dawn of the Jedi or Dave Filoni’s Ahsoka-era film, are set in entirely different timelines. However, possibilities remain with films in development from Taika Waititi, Donald Glover, Shawn Levy, and Patty Jenkins, as well as Simon Kinberg’s upcoming trilogy.
Meanwhile, the studio struggles with creative stagnation. While Dave Filoni continues expanding the Star Wars universe on Disney+ through live-action shows like Ahsoka and The Mandalorian, the leap to cinema feels directionless. Attempts to explore fresh territory, like The Acolyte in the High Republic era, have failed to capture widespread attention. The franchise’s most celebrated entries under Disney (Andor and Rogue One) haven’t led to future projects from their creative teams, which is a baffling oversight.
Ultimately, the future of Star Wars films remains uncertain. With numerous scrapped projects and no shortage of controversy, Lucasfilm’s cinematic revival hinges on careful planning. Whether Rey can truly lead a new era — or whether Disney’s Star Wars films can regain their footing — remains to be seen.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, and anime — you name it. When she’s not reading or being a dedicated cinephile, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of Caleb from Love and Deepspace.
Si Jia
Yonk
