Kathleen Kennedy Provides a Positive Update on Taika Waititi’s ‘Star Wars’ Film
After an eventful Star Wars Celebration 2025 in Tokyo, Japan, the future of the galaxy far, far away has become clearer.
Heading into last weekend, the only thing that we knew for sure was that The Mandalorian & Grogu was heading to theaters in 2026. Other than that, there seemed to be an endless number of movies that may or may not have been in production.
The Mandalorian & Grogu
Now, we have a better timeline.
The Future of ‘Star Wars’
Following the release of The Mandalorian & Grogu, the next Star Wars film to hit theaters will be Starfighter in 2027. Directed by Shawn Levy and starring Ryan Gosling, the movie has been fast-tracked by Lucasfilm.
Aside from Starfighter, Lucasfilm highlighted Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s film about Rey Skywalker, James Mangold’s Dawn of the Jedi, and Simon Kinberg’s upcoming trilogy at last weekend’s gathering.
Photo: Variety
All five films seem to still be on track to arrive in theaters.
Then, there is Taika Waititi’s Star Wars adventure.
Waititi Has Been Working on a ‘Star Wars’ Film For Years
For half a decade now, Taika Waititi has been developing a Star Wars film.
The director’s involvement with Lucasfilm was originally announced in 2020, when Kathleen Kennedy shared her excitement about the project.
Photo: Variety
“Taika’s approach to Star Wars will be fresh, unexpected, and…unique. His enormous talent and sense of humor will ensure that audiences are in for an unforgettable ride,” she said.
Since the film was initially announced, however, updates have been scarce. In 2023, however, Kennedy revealed that the film was still coming along.
“Taika is working away. He’s just, and he won’t get mad at me for saying this, slow. We’ve got a couple of acts, we need a third,” Kennedy said.
Photo: Hollywood Reporter
Subsequently, Waititi told Entertainment Tonight that he was taking his time with the film.
“It’s still marinating. I’ve been writing it,” he explained, “At the moment, I’m still developing something with them. Like me, they have a lot of projects going on. I think they’re gonna push it until I finish these other projects. I’ve got about four other scripts that I’m trying to finish. My thing is, I want to take my time with that and get it right. I don’t want to rush this movie.”
A Positive Update
At Star Wars Celebration 2025, ScreenRant’s Ash Crossan inquired about Waititi’s long-gestating film. Thankfully, the Lucasfilm head is still optimistic.
Photo: Lucasfilm
“Taika is on Taika time… I’ve just continually said to him, look, when you feel that you’re ready and you can really devote the time, we’re going to do it. We’ll be waiting… I’m just hoping we get there. That will be a great Star Wars movie,” she said.
Later, Kennedy revealed that Tony McNamara will be writing the film with Waititi.
When Will Waititi’s ‘Star Wars’ Film Hit Theaters?
Based on Kennedy’s comments, it sounds like we will have to wait a while before Waititi’s Star Wars film hits the big screen.
As of this writing, it seems like all Dawn of the Jedi, New Jedi Order, and at least the first entry in Simon Kinsberg’s trilogy will hit theaters before Waititi’s film.
Photo: whatsondisneyplus
Hopefully, however, we will learn more soon.
