- "When people ask me, 'Don't you think people are going to get sick of 'Star Wars' movies?' to me that question indicates that they're thinking of 'Star Wars' movies as a museum exhibit that is wheeled out once a year so you can say, 'Oh, I loved that thing. Oh, I remember that thing!' And yes, if 'Star Wars' is that, people are going to get sick of it really quickly. But if 'Star Wars' are great new movies that are exciting and fresh, and that challenge you and surprise you and make you feel things and engage you the way that those original movies did — but always taking you to new places, both in the galaxy and emotionally — that's never going to get old. That's what it's all about."
- ―Rian Johnson
A new Star Wars trilogy will be created by Rian Johnson. Johnson, who wrote and directed Star Wars: Episode VIII The Last Jedi, will write and direct the first film of the trilogy, and the film will be produced by longtime collaborator Ram Bergman. The films will be separate from the Skywalker saga and will explore new characters from an unexplored area of Star Wars lore. The new trilogy was announced by Lucasfilm on November 9, 2017, but on July 12, 2025, Johnson confirmed that the trilogy did not develop further than the conceptual phase and was no longer in development.
Development
Announcement and early work
- "No it isn't true, I'm still working on the trilogy. With all due respect to the movie bros, who I'm sure are lovely kind bros with good fraternal intentions."
- ―Rian Johnson on Twitter dispelling rumors of cancellation
The Last Jedi director Rian Johnson is tapped to create a new Star Wars trilogy.
On November 9, 2017, before the release of his sequel trilogy film Star Wars: Episode VIII The Last Jedi, Lucasfilm announced that director Rian Johnson would develop a new trilogy set in the Star Wars universe.[1] After a positive experience making The Last Jedi, Johnson pitched the idea of the trilogy, which would "go someplace new, meet some new folks, tell a new story."[5] On January 16, 2018, Johnson teased more details about his trilogy, indicating that he hasn't ruled out the possibility of including some familiar characters from the other films.[6] On September 4, Johnson revealed that the trilogy's first film will be released once he finishes filming of his thriller film Knives Out, starring Daniel Craig.[7]
On February 13, 2019, Rian Johnson confirmed that his trilogy was still slated to happen, dispelling rumors that his trilogy had been cancelled.[4] According to Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy, Johnson was collaborating with David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, who were working on their own series of Star Wars films.[8] In May 2019, the four met to "lock down" their plans for their films.[9] However, on October 28, 2019, it was reported that Benioff and Weiss were no longer involved with the trilogy.[10] The pair was originally scheduled to write and produce the first film to be released after The Rise of Skywalker.[11]
Lingering development
- "The conclusion that we reached was three years was the proper amount of time to not only take a breather and reset, but to really gear up for the next films released."
- ―Disney CEO Bob Iger
In September 2018, Bob Iger said that there would be a "slowdown" on the release of Star Wars films, because he felt there had been "a little too much, too fast."[12] He reaffirmed this in April 2019, saying "We will take a pause, some time, and reset … There will be other Stars Wars movies, but there will be a bit of a hiatus."[13] On May 7, 2019, Disney released its 2020-2027 theatrical release schedule, which revealed that Star Wars films are scheduled to hit cinemas in 2023, 2025, and 2027.[14][15] The trilogy had been indefinitely postponed while Johnson worked on the Knives Out films for Netflix,[16] but Johnson—in an August 30, 2022-published interview with Empire—stated that they are still in the works.[17] In 2025, via an interview with The Independent published on May 22 of that year, Johnson repeated that his trilogy had been postponed due to his work on Knives Out, reflecting that he had "kind of went down the murder mystery rabbit hole" and was "focused on making other stuff." Rather than say his films were still in development, Johnson stated that, if he could "get back in the Star Wars universe someday," he would "be the happiest person."[18]
Cancelation
- "Nothing really happened with it. We had a great time working together, and they said, "Let’s keep doing it." I said, "Great!" I would kick ideas around with Kathy. The short version is Knives Out happened. I went off and made Knives Out, and was off to the races, busy making murder mysteries. It's the sort of thing if, down the line, there's an opportunity to do it, or do something else in Star Wars, I would be thrilled. But right now I’m just doing my own stuff, and pretty happy."
- ―Rian Johnson, in a July 2025 interview with Rolling Stone
In an interview with Rolling Stone on July 12, 2025, interviewer Alan Sepinwall asked Johnson on the status of his Star Wars trilogy. Johnson responded that while they had a great time working together with Kathleen Kennedy, including bouncing ideas off each other, nothing came of it as Knives Out happened and diverted his efforts. Johnson confirmed that he was happy creating his own stories, but if there was an opportunity to develop the trilogy or develop a different project in Star Wars, he would be thrilled. Johnson further elaborated that development of the trilogy was very conceptual, and there was never an outline or treatment for the trilogy.[2]
Sources
Rian Johnson, Writer-Director of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, to Create All-New Star Wars Trilogy on StarWars.com (backup link)- The Star Wars Show: New Star Wars Trilogy Announced! on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link)
- The Star Wars Show: We Play Battlefront II in REAL LIFE, New Star Wars Trilogy & Live-Action TV Show Announced, & More! on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link) (Posted on StarWars.com)
- "We Had Such a Great Time": Rian Johnson on the Path to Star Wars: The Last Jedi on StarWars.com (backup link)
- Game of Thrones Creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss to Write and Produce a New Series of Star Wars Films on StarWars.com (original link is obsolete)
- The Star Wars Show: GOT Creators Making New Star Wars Films, Up Close with the Falcon, and YOUR Solo Teaser Reactions! on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link) (Posted on StarWars.com)
- "Launchpad" — Star Wars Insider 181
