Star Wars Celebration 2025 is in full swing, with the latest update from Lucasfilm boss Kathleen Kennedy revealing the status of Taika Waiтιтi’s Star Wars movie. The many panels of Star Wars Celebration 2025 began with The Mandalorian & Grogu, though Kennedy took this opportunity to reveal more about the franchise’s future. Beyond the 2026 film, other upcoming Star Wars movies were confirmed. One such movie was Star Wars: Starfighter, with Kennedy confirming Shawn Levy to direct and Ryan Gosling to star. Beyond that, Screen Rant’s attendance at Star Wars Celebration allowed insight on other prospective projects to be provided.
Speaking to Kathleen Kennedy, Screen Rant‘s own Ash Crossan inquired about the status of Taika Waiтιтi’s Star Wars movie. Waiтιтi has been attached to direct a project in a galaxy far, far away for a while now, yet development slowed amid other commitments from the filmmaker, yet Kennedy remains confident the film will happen:
“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.”
These comments prove that the delay in Taika Waiтιтi’s Star Wars film were not driven by Lucasfilm or development issues, but instead a case of waiting for the filmmaker to finish what he has planned. Kennedy insisted that the movie will be waiting for him, also commenting that screenwriter Tony McNamara of Poor Things fame is penning the script and working well with Waiтιтi. Kennedy wrapped up by stating that Waiтιтi has such a unique way of telling stories, sharing her desire that they can get through development and tell a great Star Wars story.
Kathleen Kennedy Remains Positive That Waiтιтi’s Movie Will Happen
Star Wars Is On A Promising Theatrical Path
Perhaps the most interesting part of Kennedy’s comments come right at the end of her speech. Kennedy’s wording that, should the script develop neatly, the project will be a “great Star Wars movie” is certainly promising. This confirms that Kennedy remains confident in the film being placed into production, even if it is further behind in the development phase than the story of The Mandalorian & Grogu or, indeed, Star Wars: Starfighter. This is not to say the film is a sure-thing as anything could happen, but Kennedy’s optimism is cause for hope.
Our Take On Taika Waiтιтi’s Star Wars Movie
Waiтιтi Could Craft A Truly Unique Star Wars Story
On the whole, I am glad that Kennedy is confident in Waiтιтi’s Star Wars movie. While the filmmaker has not had quite as much success in recent years as he did in the 2010s, there is no denying how distinctive Waiтιтi’s voice truly is. Be it his unique brand of humor or the visual style he often imbues his films with, Waiтιтi could make a Star Wars movie that is like no other. After his strong work on The Mandalorian, too, I can only hope that Kennedy’s optimism is not misplaced and Waiтιтi’s Star Wars movie does see the light of day, no matter how long it takes.
Star Wars
- Created by
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George Lucas
- First Film
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Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope
- Cast
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Mark Hamill, James Earl Jones, David Prowse, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Ian McDiarmid, Ewan McGregor, Rosario Dawson, Lars Mikkelsen, Rupert Friend, Moses Ingram, Frank Oz, Pedro Pascal
- TV Show(s)
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The Mandalorian, Andor, Obi-Wan Kenobi, The Book of Boba Fett, Ahsoka, The Acolyte, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, Lando, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels, Star Wars: The Bad Batch, Star Wars: Resistance, Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures, Star Wars: Visions
- Character(s)
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Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Rey Skywalker, Emperor Palpatine / Darth Sidious, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ahsoka Tano, Grand Admiral Thrawn, Grand Inquisitor, Reva (The Third Sister), The Fifth Brother, The Seventh Sister, The Eighth Brother, Yoda, Din Djarin, Grogu, Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader, Leia Organa, Ben Solo/Kylo Ren
