Daisy Ridley’s Star Wars return hits major snag amid Disney shakeup

Daisy Ridley is still eying a comeback to the Star Wars franchise. However, her return has hit a major setback that will delay her return.

In the world of cinema, timing is everything, and sometimes, the stars just don’t align. Unfortunately, that’s the case with the much-anticipated Star Wars film starring Daisy Ridley. The originally reported release date of December 2025 has been given a “hold on, not so fast!” signal.

This news might seem like a hyperspace hiccup, but let’s look at the bright side. Back at the Star Wars Celebration 2023, it was confirmed that Ridley would be reprising her role as Rey. The next cinematic chapter finds her in the throes of rebuilding the Jedi Order after the climactic events of Rise of Skywalker.

Alongside Rey’s resurgence, two more projects were unveiled. One is a mega MandoVerse crossover event, and the other is a deep dive into the origins of the Jedi. It was initially believed that Ridley’s return would take center stage ahead of these two ventures.

But the release lane of the galaxy far, far away has been slightly rerouted. Although the untitled Ridley project was rumored (emphasis on the rumor part) to grace our screens in December 2025, it’s now targeting a fresh release date of May 22, 2026. This puts it in the cosmic vicinity of Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, slated for a May 1, 2026 release.

Furthermore, another Star Wars feature has been penciled in for December 18, 2026. As for which Star Wars film occupies which slot? That’s still a bit hazy. But given Ridley’s film is furthest along in its development journey, it’s a fair bet that it’ll snag the first slot.

So, why the delay in Rey’s return?

The fingers of blame are pointing at the ongoing writer’s strike. Depending on how long this saga lasts, we might have to brace for a few more schedule shuffles.

The writing process for the movie also appears to be in a bit of a nebula. Damon Lindelof, who was originally on board as a writer, was shown the exit just before the film was announced.

As for the storyline, it’s still cloaked in mystery. While we know Rey’s primary mission is to reconstruct the Jedi Order, the specifics are sparse. Rumors are swirling that Rey might step back into a supporting role, with new characters helming the story. There’s also buzz about John Boyega potentially rejoining Ridley in the Star Wars universe.

Whatever the case, the longing for a Star Wars theatrical experience is still alive and well. Although the journey might be longer than expected, the destination remains the same. The next Star Wars film is cruising towards a release on May 22, 2025.

So, channeling the wisdom of Master Yoda, I say  “Patience you must have, my young Padawan.”