Star Wars might have an impressive lineup of films on the horizon, but Lucasfilm’s movie roadmap is still one of Hollywood’s greatest mysteries. Despite repeated promises of new eras and bold storytelling, each fresh announcement seems to raise as many questions as it answers, keeping fans intrigued, if also occasionally confused.Credit: LucasfilmThe current reshuffling began at April 2023’s Star Wars Celebration Europe, where Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy introduced three new projects from directors James Mangold, Dave Filoni, and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy. Later, it was reported that Patty Jenkins’ Rogue Squadron, once thought indefinitely shelved, is reportedly back in development.Each project represented a different corner of the galaxy. Mangold’s film will delve into the ancient origins of the Force, while Filoni’s movie plans to unite the interconnected storylines of The Mandalorian, Ahsoka, The Book of Boba Fett, and Skeleton Crew in a major crossover event.Then came another surprise in early 2024: Lucasfilm revealed The Mandalorian and Grogu, directed by Jon Favreau and set for a 2026 theatrical debut. The film will mark the jump of Din Djarin and Grogu from streaming to the big screen, reportedly concluding The Mandalorian’s story on Disney+. Soon after, word spread that a fourth season of the hit series had been shelved.Credit: LucasfilmThat change rippled through Lucasfilm’s calendar. Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s film—set after Star Wars: Episode IX–The Rise of Skywalker (2019) and featuring Daisy Ridley’s return as Rey Skywalker—had been expected to arrive first. Titles like “New Jedi Order” and “A New Beginning” circulated online but were never officially confirmed by Lucasfilm.Then, on November 7, 2024, came yet another dramatic shift: Simon Kinberg had been hired to craft a new Star Wars trilogy as both writer and producer. Known for X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019) and The Martian (2015), Kinberg was brought in as a fresh creative force to expand the saga.“The new story is not meant to be a continuation of the Skywalker Saga, the name of the overall arc of the popular and pop culture-dominating Star Wars movies known as Episodes 1 through 9,” The Hollywood Reporter explained.Credit: Lucasfilm“The intent here is to have brand new characters and a new story, and not have it be a continuation, sources tell [THR]. (Although that does not mean that some characters could not or would not pop up.)”Kinberg’s trilogy quickly sparked discussion over whether it might intersect with Obaid-Chinoy’s Rey-focused movie. Kennedy later clarified that Kinberg’s trilogy would branch the franchise into new territory, separate from the Skywalker bloodline. Still, fans wondered how the two projects might coexist.“But Rey, the scavenger-turned-Jedi played by Daisy Ridley in the last three episode movies, is key to the franchise’s next turn,” THR reported. “That potentially puts Kinberg’s trilogy story development, as early in its conceptual stages as it may be, on a collision course with the Rey standalone movie that is actively in the works with director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy.”Credit: LucasfilmAn insider also told THR, “[Rey] is the most valuable cinematic asset, in some ways maybe the only one Star Wars has right now.” George Nolfi had previously been attached as a writer, but the project has seen multiple setbacks. “According to scooper Daniel Richtman, ‘The Rey movie is on hold once again, as both the Shawn Levy and James Mangold Star Wars films are moving forward first. The project is not canceled–just temporarily on hold,'” SFF Gazette reported.Despite the pause, new reports suggest that “New Jedi Order” is now being developed as a central hub for this next phase of Star Wars. Richtman, via Cosmic Marvel, outlined what’s reportedly in the works:Lucasfilm’s plans for the “Star Wars: New Jedi Order” era have reportedly been revealed:It will be similar to the Mando-Verse.It will begin with Daisy Ridley’s upcoming film.It will gradually build toward a major event that brings together characters introduced in past films.Credit: LucasfilmWhile the Rey Skywalker movie remains in limbo, Lucasfilm found another way to bring the character back sooner than expected. In late 2025, Rey will return—alongside Finn and BB-8—in a new prequel-sequel audio drama.Set between Star Wars: Episode VIII–The Last Jedi (2017) and Star Wars: Episode IX–The Rise of Skywalker (2019), “The Jaws of Jakku” takes fans back to Rey’s desert home world for a new adventure. And the new prequel-sequel will release imminently.“Following the events of The Last Jedi, Rey struggles to let go of her lonely childhood on the desert planet of Jakku. Hoping to have a breakthrough in her Jedi training, she returns to her home world with Finn and BB-8 in tow,” the official Audible synopsis reads. “When they meet a young girl on a dangerous mission to save her family, they travel through pitch-black tunnels beneath the sand where they encounter scurrying gnaw-jaws, a haunting terror from the past, and maybe—just maybe—hope for them all.”Credit: LucasfilmBecause the story takes place before The Rise of Skywalker, “The Jaws of Jakku” could reshape how some fans view the events of the sequel trilogy’s final chapter—a film still debated among audiences.The franchise has often turned to tie-in media to expand or clarify its film narratives, especially regarding The Rise of Skywalker’s controversial elements, such as Emperor Palpatine’s return. Comic books and animated series like The Bad Batch have further explored those threads.Written by Cavan Scott and narrated by Helen Sadler, “Star Wars: The Jaws of Jakku” will be released on Audible on October 9, 2025.Credit: LucasfilmAt Star Wars Celebration 2025 in Tokyo, Levy’s film officially received its title: Star Wars: Starfighter. Scheduled for 2027, it stars Ryan Gosling, Mia Goth, and Matt Smith, set roughly five years after The Rise of Skywalker.Meanwhile, Mangold’s Force-origin film has reportedly gained traction on Lucasfilm’s internal priority list. The concept echoes an earlier trilogy once pitched by Game of Thrones creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss before their departure from the studio. Mangold has acknowledged that his vision draws from some of those early ideas.Fans have already started imagining the next era. One popular fan trailer by YouTuber Darth Trailer reimagines Rey’s return as Star Wars: Episode X—The New Jedi Order, giving audiences a taste of what could lie ahead. Even with its theatrical roadmap still in flux, Lucasfilm appears determined to reshape Star Wars for the next generation of moviegoers. The coming years will be critical in defining the future of the galaxy far, far away.What are your thoughts on where the franchise is heading? Share your take with Inside the Magic in the comments.The post ‘Star Wars’ Replaces ‘Rise of Skywalker,’ Releases New ‘The Last Jedi’ Sequel Six Years Later appeared first on Inside the Magic.