Daisy Ridley is set to make a return as Rey Skywalker in the newly developed project of Star Wars: New Jedi Order. With the development of the New Jedi Order in full swing, screenwriter George Nolfi has been officially brought on board to craft the storyline of the galaxy far, far away. The writer recently shared his approach to crafting the new movie and how he’s drawing inspiration from George Lucas’ original vision for Star Wars, including the timeless political themes that have been the cornerstone of the Star Wars universe.
While the sequels failed to impress the audience, especially Rey’s character, who earned a fair amount of criticism, the New Jedi Order needs a unique approach to counteract the past criticisms. Nolfi’s insights have ignited a renewed sense of hope among Star Wars fans. First announced at the 2023 Star Wars Celebration, New Jedi Order will see Daisy Ridley reprise her iconic role as Rey Skywalker, 15 years after the events of The Rise of Skywalker. As Rey embarks on the task of rebuilding the Jedi Order, the movie promises a fresh chapter in the Star Wars saga.
The Banker fame director, George Nolfi, who joined the project in 2025 after multiple writers cycled through, has been vocal about his approach to the scripts. In a recent interview with Film Stories, Nolfi emphasized his intention to continue exploring themes that were central to George Lucas’ original version of Star Wars. Nolfi explained that Star Wars has always been steeped in broad political notions. He mentioned, “If you think about George Lucas’ movies that he did and the universe that he created, it’s actually very steeped in the broad notion of politics.” He specifically pointed to the political and societal cycles that were woven throughout the franchise, themes that Lucas addressed in his movies from the rise and fall of empires to the constant battle between order and chaos.
Nolfi continued, “The democracy of the Roman Empire collapsing and becoming an empire and the perennial story of human beings organizing themselves against chaos, and then the tools that help human societies tamp down on chaos become oppression.” This perspective aligns with Lucas’ inspiration from history, especially the decline of the Roman Republic. In this light, Nolfi sees Star Wars as a story about the tension between order and chaos—how even the Republic, an institution designed to bring order, eventually falls into oppression.
What makes Nolfi’s approach especially intriguing is his view of Star Wars not merely as a battle between the light and dark sides of the Force, but as a much larger, galactic-scale conflict. For him, the Star Wars universe is about the struggle between organized structures and the chaos they are meant to control. Following the polarizing reception of The Rise of Skywalker, the Star Wars franchise has faced difficulties in maintaining its momentum, with Lucasfilm working to find a clear direction for future movies.
People on X expressed that betting on Ridley’s Rey and sequels might be a mistake, arguing that the movie should stay away from the narrative of the sequels. One person also expressed that it might be too late for that, stating, “Huge mistake betting on Rey and Sequel cast that destroyed fans’ love for the franchise. If LucasFilm had any sense at all, they would distance the next trilogy from Sequels into the far future or past.”
However, Lucas’ approach is welcomed by some fans, emphasizing it is the only way to save the project. One fan asserted, “George Lucas is the key. If we aren’t connecting with him on some of the lore ideas, the project is over. Finally, we have a writer who actually understands *hopefully* the core principles of what makes Star Wars great. Wow! It’s almost like he actually got the point! Unlike most of these new writers. He actually understood the goddamn movie!”
While the sequels have been criticized for Rey’s character and for focusing too heavily on nostalgia, Nolfi’s approach—drawing from Lucas’ original ideas rather than simply leaning on past references—offers the potential for a fresh narrative that respects the franchise’s legacy while introducing new concepts. As Star Wars continues its cinematic evolution under Disney, Nolfi’s commitment to maintaining Lucas’ legacy of political and philosophical exploration may be key to restoring the thematic depths that defined the original films.
Despite many franchise struggles, Nolfi’s focus on the roots suggests that the movie could offer more than just spectacles; it might also provide the substance that has always been the heart of Star Wars. As fans eagerly await the film, the pressure is on to deliver a story that not only captures the audience’s imagination but also satisfies long-time followers of the saga. Star Wars movies and shows are streaming on Disney+.
