‘It’s About Time That We Had a Woman’ Direct a ‘Star Wars’ Movie, Says Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy

“Star Wars” director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy is celebrating making franchise history.

The four-time Emmy winner and “Ms. Marvel” helmer told CNN that “it’s about time” a female filmmaker was behind a “Star Wars” film franchise installment. “Wonder Woman” filmmaker Patty Jenkins was previously attached to direct “Rogue Squadron” when it was announced in 2020; the film was removed from the Lucasfilm production calendar in 2021 and officially shelved in 2023.

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“I’m very thrilled about the project because I feel what we’re about to create is something very special,” Obaid-Chinoy said of her upcoming sequel to “The Rise of Skywalker,” adding, “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.”

Television director Obaid-Chinoy will make her narrative feature directorial debut with “Brilliance,” starring Will Smith. She will then helm the as-yet-untitled sequel starring Daisy Ridley as Rey Skywalker, picking up 15 years after the events of “The Rise of Skywalker.” The film is set to follow Rey as she rebuilds the Jedi Order.

Obaid-Chinoy will be the first female filmmaker to direct a “Star Wars” movie in its half-century history. George Lucas created franchise, which debuted in 1977. Directors like J.J. Abrams, Rian Johnson, Ron Howard, Dave Filoni, and Gareth Edwards have all directed franchise installments.

In addition to Obaid-Chinoy, franchise newcomers James Mangold and Taika Waititi will direct respective new films.

As for Obaid-Chinoy’s untitled installment, while details remain slim, when it was announced at Star Wars Celebration in April, the studio confirmed that the film “will tell the story of rebuilding the New Jedi Order and the powers that rise to tear it down.” While Damon Lindelof was originally set to pen the script for Obaid-Chinoy’s film, he and co-writer Justin Britt-Gibson departed the project earlier this year. “Peaky Blinders” screenwriter Steven Knight quickly joined the project, and will take over scripting duties.

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