By Chad W. Shreeves

With Lucasfilm trying to get their film slate back up and running in the years following 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker, one movie has regularly been near the top of fans’ most anticipated list. Director James Mangold of Logan and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny fame has been tapped to direct a film centered around the dawn of the Jedi and the origin story of the mythical heroes.

Today, in a scoop by The Hollywood Reporter, it appears that the Mangold directed film has taken a big step forward. It was reported that Beau Willimon, the Emmy nominated writer most famous for spearheading the American adaptation of House of Cards has been brought on to write the script. Willimon is no stranger to the Star Wars universe, having recently worked on a couple episodes of Andor, including the universally loved episode No Way Out.

While plot details are mostly kept under wraps, it’s been reported this new film will take place nearly 25,000 years prior to the Skywalker Saga, meaning Mangold and Willimon can do just about anything with the universe and characters without effecting continuity too much. It will feature the origins of the Jedi and how they became the protectors of the Galaxy.

No release date has been set, but Mangold is expected to turn his attention fully to the project after finishing his Bob Dylan biopic starring Timothee Chalamet.

Star Wars finally returns to the big screen when the next film, The Mandalorian and Grogu, hits theaters May 22, 2026. There is also the untitled Rey Skywalker film featuring the return of Daisy Ridley as the titular character, that does not have a release date.