Star Wars director has high hopes for her Rey movie: "I think what we’re about to create is something very special"

Star Wars The Last Jedi
(Image credit: Lucasfilm)

The director of Daisy Ridley’s post-Rise of Skywalker Star Wars movie says it’s going to be "very special".

Speaking to CNN, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinroy said, "I'm very thrilled about the project because I think what we're about to create is something very special."

She added, "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."

Previously, only male directors have helmed a Star Wars movie. Patty Jenkins’ Rogue Squadron movie has been shelved, while Bryce Dallas Howard has directed multiple episodes of The Mandalorian and one Mando-centric chapter of The Book of Boba Fett.

Set 15 years after the culmination of The Skywalker Saga, the untitled movie will see Ridley return as Rey seeks to rebuild the Jedi Order.

"I have spent the better part of my life meeting real heroes who are overcoming oppressive regimes and battling impossible odds," Obaid-Chinroy said after the movie was announced last year at Star Wars Celebration in London. "And I think that is the heart of Star Wars."

For her part, Ridley recently told Collider, "Oh my God. It was such a wonderful reception. I'm very excited. The story is really cool. I'm waiting to read a script because, obviously, I don't have any other updates. It's not what I expected, but I'm very excited."

Two more live-action Star Wars movies were announced last year: a James Mangold-directed take on the dawn of the Jedi, and a Dave Filoni-helmed feature which will act as a culmination to the main arc of the Mando-verse.

For more on those – and other projects in a galaxy far, far away – check out our guide to upcoming Star Wars movies. Then dive into the full picture of how to watch the Clone Wars in order.

Bradley Russell

I'm the Senior Entertainment Writer here at 12DOVE, focusing on news, features, and interviews with some of the biggest names in film and TV. On-site, you'll find me marveling at Marvel and providing analysis and room temperature takes on the newest films, Star Wars and, of course, anime. Outside of GR, I love getting lost in a good 100-hour JRPG, Warzone, and kicking back on the (virtual) field with Football Manager. My work has also been featured in OPM, FourFourTwo, and Game Revolution.

Read more
The Rise of Skywalker
Despite those retirement reports, Lucasfilm boss Kathleen Kennedy is "very involved" in the Rey Star Wars movie, according to Daisy Ridley
The Rise of Skywalker
New Rey movie screenwriter reveals what his vision might have in common with Star Wars creator George Lucas
Mando and Grogu in The Mandalorian
The Ryan Gosling-led Star Wars movie from Deadpool and Wolverine director is set "five or six years" after The Rise of Skywalker
Star Wars
Two of Star Wars' biggest no-show movies get updates – but they're not completely promising
James Mangold at Star Wars Celebration
James Mangold's Star Wars movie is set thousands of years in the past because he's "not interested in being handcuffed" by the massive canon
Kathleen Kennedy standing with a bunch of Stormtroopers
Star Wars' Kathleen Kennedy debunks retirement reports, as she shares plans for the future of Lucasfilm: "I will die making movies"
Latest in Star Wars Movies
John Boyega in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
John Boyega was tired of "doing a lot of falling" in the Star Wars sequels, so asked director J.J. Abrams for a "level of growth" between The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker
Darth Vader in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
Star Wars fans have ignited an age-old debate, and there are some seriously hot takes
The Mandalorian and Grogu
The Mandalorian and Grogu has the lowest budget of any theatrical Star Wars movie since Disney bought Lucasfilm
The Mandalorian
Bo-Katan's actor may have accidentally answered whether she is appearing in The Mandalorian and Grogu movie with this cryptic response
John Boyega as Finn in Star Wars: The Last Jedi
John Boyega reveals Tom Cruise actually helped him get cast in Star Wars
Watto in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace
Star Wars confirms Watto isn’t dead after all in new comic, and fans are celebrating his miraculous survival
Latest in News
Lunar Remastered Collection
"Will today’s players still enjoy a game from 30 years ago?": JRPG icon Kei Shigema says he was thrilled to see Lunar getting a remaster even after all this time
Nick Offerman as Bill and Murray Bartlett as Frank in The Last of Us episode 3
The Last of Us season 2 showrunners tease a "gorgeous" episode akin to season 1’s Emmy-nominated Bill and Frank story: "Just you wait"
The Witcher 4 screenshot with Ciri using sword and sorcery to fight an ancient monster
CD Projekt boss says "cutting-edge single-player games" – you know, like The Witcher 4 and Cyberpunk 2 – will "continue to enjoy great popularity" despite industry shifts
Cyberpunk 2077
Despite releasing exactly zero new games, CD Projekt bagged $120 million in profit for 2024 – the Witcher and Cyberpunk studio's third-best result ever
Muse
Daredevil: Born Again midseason trailer teases Matt Murdock’s violent fight with Muse, including a gory scene straight from the comics
Batman looking over the city during Batman: Arkham City, one of the best PS3 games.
The PS2 Batman Begins game was considered such a "disaster" that Christopher Nolan turned down a Dark Knight-inspired game