REPORT: Damon Lindelof Exits His Long In-Development Star Wars Project

Writer Damon Lindelof has reportedly exited an upcoming Star Wars project.

According to Above the Line, Lindelof and fellow screenwriter Justin Britt-Gibson have left the untitled Star Wars film, the script of which they were brought on board to write in 2022. Lindelof and Britt-Gibson seemingly turned in their draft to Lucasfilm in mid-February, and shortly thereafter parted ways. The company then hired a new writer, though it is unknown if they will be re-working Lindelof and Britt-Gibson's script or writing a new one entirely.

Canadian journalist and filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy is still on board to direct the project, which has a planned release date of Dec. 19, 2025. In terms of the cast and premise, Lucasfilm has yet to reveal any new information. The studio has stated it will be set after the final film of the sequel trilogy, though will likely not be a continuation of the Skywalker Saga. More details will likely be revealed at Star Wars Celebration 2023, which is set to take place April 7-10.

Lindelof's Connection to Star Wars

Just recently, Lindelof cast doubt on his involvement with the movie, saying that the "degree of difficulty" when it came to making the film was "extremely, extremely, extremely high." He added that "if it can't be great, it shouldn't exist." He also said that the quality of such a project was of personal significance to him, as Star Wars played a monumental role in his childhood.

Lindelof is best known for creating and showrunning a number of critically acclaimed shows, beginning with ABC's LOST in 2004. He then went on to co-create The Leftovers on HBO alongside author Tom Perrotta, followed by the Watchmen miniseries, in 2019. He has also worked on the screenplays of several Star Trek projects, including the 2013 film Into Darkness, as well as some uncredited contribution to the 2009 film directed by J.J. Abrams. Apart from Star Wars, Lindelof has a few other projects in the works, including another TV series called Mrs. Davis, set to premiere on Peacock in April 2023. The series stars Betty Gilpin, and is about a nun using her faith to take on technology.