Story perspectives

Damon Lindelof Fired Over Reformation Pitch; Mandalorian Debuts May 22

5/22/2026

Summary

Lindelof Fired

Damon Lindelof was fired from a Star Wars movie in 2023.
Lindelof, Justin Britt-Gibson and Rayna McClendon pitched a “Protestant Reformation” story that would follow Episode IX and launch a new trilogy.
Lucasfilm liked the premise but dismissed it, leading to Lindelof’s departure.
Steven Knight was hired and later left, leaving the film’s future uncertain.
The Mandalorian and Grogu will open theatrically on May 22.

Summary

Lucasfilm Unveils

Lucasfilm unveiled a slate with a Rian Johnson trilogy, a David Benioff and D.B. Weiss trilogy, and a Kevin Feige-produced Star Wars film.
Backlash to the sequel trilogy, especially The Rise of Skywalker, has left the franchise in a “strange state.”
The Mandalorian’s May 22 theatrical debut sparked speculation it could become the franchise’s central narrative platform.
Kathleen Kennedy’s departure from Lucasfilm adds uncertainty over leadership for the next major Star Wars film.

Summary

Lucasfilm Shelves

Patty Jenkins' Rogue Squadron and the Rangers of the New Republic spinoff have both been shelved.
A Game of Thrones-team-led Star Wars trilogy was dropped after the series finale disappointed viewers.
Damon Lindelof described the development process as a “tanker equation” and asked whether Din Djarin and Grogu have become the franchise’s new narrative core.
Lucasfilm has given no updates on the Rey-focused movie, leaving it in development limbo.

History

Historical Context

Disney’s $4.05 billion purchase of Lucasfilm on Oct 30 2012 placed Star Wars under a single studio, installing Kathleen Kennedy as president and launching a sequel trilogy that began with The Force Awakens in 2015. Decades-long franchise stewardship now faces upheaval: Lindelof’s 2023 dismissal and the shelving of Rian Johnson’s planned trilogy, echoing post-acquisition tensions over legacy versus new storytelling.

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Lindelof Fired

Damon Lindelof was fired from a Star Wars movie in 2023.
Lindelof, Justin Britt-Gibson and Rayna McClendon pitched a “Protestant Reformation” story that would follow Episode IX and launch a new trilogy.
Lucasfilm liked the premise but dismissed it, leading to Lindelof’s departure.
Steven Knight was hired and later left, leaving the film’s future uncertain.
The Mandalorian and Grogu will open theatrically on May 22.

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