Damon Lindelof Says He Was Removed From Star Wars Film

Screenwriter and producer Damon Lindelof has stated he was removed from a planned Star Wars film after two years of development on a story that would have directly engaged with a central debate within the franchise's fanbase. Lindelof, known for creating series such as Lost and Watchmen, confirmed the departure in a recent podcast interview.

Lindelof said he was initially hired after pitching his vision for the project. He described the core concept as an attempt to dramatize the ideological tension between preserving Star Wars mythology and pursuing new creative directions, likening it to a "Protestant Reformation" within the fictional universe. He worked on the screenplay with writers Justin Britt-Gibson and Rayna McClendon.

The film was intended to follow the character Rey, played by Daisy Ridley, after the events of 2019's Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, with Ridley expected to reprise the role. The project was formally announced in April 2023, with Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy stating it would be set 15 years after that film and focus on Rey rebuilding the Jedi Order.

According to Lindelof, studio executives appeared to like the premise, but the writing process...