‘Let’s Do the Protestant Reformation Inside Star Wars’ — Damon Lindelof Reveals New Details on His Canceled Version of Daisy Ridley’s New Jedi Order Movie
Screenwriter Damon Lindelof, creator of Lost, has revealed new details about his canceled Star Wars: The New Jedi Order film, which was set to feature Daisy Ridley reprising her role as Rey Skywalker. Lindelof departed the Lucasfilm project in 2023, and has now opened up about his creative vision in an interview with The Ringer-Verse.
According to Lindelof, the film would have centered on a thematic conflict between nostalgia and reinvention within the Star Wars universe. He characterized this ideological battle as “the Protestant Reformation inside Star Wars,” describing it as a clash between the “Force of nostalgia” and the “Force of revision.” Rather than simply continuing established narratives, his approach sought to explore the creative tension between honoring the franchise’s legacy and pushing it forward in new directions.
The cancellation marks another shift in Lucasfilm’s strategy for Star Wars film projects. With this project shelved, the studio continues to navigate the complexities of expanding the beloved franchise while balancing fan expectations with creative vision. Lindelof’s willingness to discuss his conceptual approach offers rare insight into the behind-the-scenes creative philosophies that shape major Star Wars productions and how studios approach evolving iconic franchises.