Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, known for her work on “Ms. Marvel,” is set to make history as the first woman and person of color to direct a “Star Wars” feature film. This groundbreaking news comes as Daisy Ridley reprises her role as Rey in the upcoming movie, which will explore her journey after the events of “The Rise of Skywalker.”
A Long-Overdue Milestone
For the first time, a woman will shape the story in a galaxy far, far away. Speaking to CNN, Obaid-Chinoy expressed her excitement about the project and the opportunity to create something truly special: “We’re in 2024 now, and it’s about time that we had a woman come forward to shape a story in a galaxy far, far away.”
Rey’s New Adventure
Little is known about the plot of the film, but Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy revealed that it takes place 15 years after the events of “The Rise of Skywalker.” Rey, now leading the charge in rebuilding the Jedi Order, faces challenges as the galaxy grapples with the aftermath of war and the Jedi’s disarray. Kennedy hinted at the significance of Luke Skywalker’s influence on Rey’s journey, without confirming his appearance in the film.
Daisy Ridley’s Excitement
In an interview with Collider, Ridley expressed her enthusiasm for the upcoming movie, even though she hadn’t read the script yet. She described the story as unexpected and cool, eagerly anticipating her return to the role of Rey. Kennedy also shared that Ridley was “out of her mind excited” to be part of the franchise once again.
Looking Beyond Rey
Obaid-Chinoy’s film is just one of the exciting projects in the works at Lucasfilm. The studio is also developing an origin story about the Force, directed by James Mangold, and a film by Dave Filoni that will conclude the narrative introduced in various television series like “The Mandalorian” and “Ahsoka.”
This new chapter in the “Star Wars” saga signals a much-needed shift toward inclusivity and diversity both in front of and behind the camera. It is a step forward for the industry as a whole, a testament to the talent and vision of filmmakers like Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy.
Read more about this exciting news on F5mag.com.