New Star Wars project being developed by Sleight director J.D. Dillard

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

With STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER now behind us, the direction of the franchise seems to be somewhat up in the air, but Lucasfilm is busy developing the next slate of STAR WARS projects, both for theaters and the Disney+ streaming service. According to THR, one of those projects is being developing by J.D. Dillard, best known for writing and directing the sci-fi/thriller SLEIGHT.

Details about the STAR WARS project are currently unknown, with insiders telling THR that Lucasfilm is still undecided whether the project will be destined for theaters or Disney+. In addition to J.D. Dillard, Lucasfilm has also tapped screenwriter Matt Owens, best known for Luke Cage, The Defenders, and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., with developing the project as well. This project is said to be unrelated to the films being developed by STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI writer/director Rian Johnson and Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige. There you have it; when we know more, you'll know more. Dillard already has a connection with the franchise, as he was a receptionist at Bad Robot as well as one of J.J. Abrams' assistants during the production of STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS. He also had a cameo as a stormtrooper in STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER.

Disney CEO Bob Iger has stated that STAR WARS' future, at least for the time being, will be in television. "The priority for Star Wars in the short-term is going to be, I'll call it television for Disney+, and then we will have more to say about development of theatrical soon after that," Iger said. In addition to a second season of The Mandalorian, the studio has a variety of STAR WARS series in varying stages of production and development, including a show centering on Ewan McGregor's Obi-Wan Kenobi and another on Diego Luna's Cassian Andor.