Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, an Oscar-winning director born in Pakistan, will make history as the first woman and person of color to helm a Star Wars picture. On Friday, studio heads said that they are working on three new Star Wars films, the first of which will hit theatres in 2025. British actor Daisy Ridley will reprise her role as Rey 15 years after the conclusion of the last film, with director Shari Obaid-Chinoy at the helm. The latest trilogy concluded in 2019 to mixed reviews.
In the upcoming film, audiences will see as Rey tries to restart the Jedi order. “I was intrigued to the hero’s journey,” Obaid-Chinoy said of the Star Wars world. Obaid-Chinoy has won two Academy Awards for documentaries that condemn violence against women. “I spent the better part of my life meeting actual heroes who are defeating repressive regimes and beating unimaginable odds,” she remarked. Ms. Marvel, a television series from last year that featured a Muslim heroine, was directed by Obaid-Chinoy. According to Lucasfilm CEO Kathleen Kennedy, the three films will focus on distinct eras of the Star Wars saga. Lucasfilm was acquired by Disney in 2012. And they’ll all be directed by various people. After directing the next installment in the Indiana Jones series, which is scheduled for release later this year, James Mangold, who has been nominated for an Oscar twice, will take charge of another film in the franchise.
His movie will go back thousands of years before the original plot and explore the early days of the Jedi order. David Filoni, a veteran of the Star Wars world who has created many TV shows including the massively popular The Mandalorian (now in its third season), will helm the third feature. Convention-goers also saw American actress Rosario Dawson in her debut appearance as Ahsoka, a female Jedi fighter from the animated series. Due out in August, the television series will include the character after she proved popular with Star Wars fans.
