Disney’s Star Wars Rey Movie Descends into Chaos: Woke Director Backlash and Writer Shake-Up Spark Fan Fury
Disney’s Star Wars franchise, once a cultural juggernaut, has faced turbulent times since the sequel trilogy concluded with The Rise of Skywalker (2019). The upcoming New Jedi Order film, centered on Daisy Ridley’s Rey Skywalker and directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, was meant to herald a bold new era for the galaxy far, far away. Announced at Star Wars Celebration 2023, the project promised to explore Rey’s journey to rebuild the Jedi Order 15 years after the sequel trilogy. Instead, it has become a lightning rod for controversy, branded a “woke disaster” by fans on X and beyond. The recent departure of screenwriter Steven Knight, replaced by a new writer, has intensified fears that the film—already mired in backlash over Obaid-Chinoy’s activist reputation—could spell another misstep for Disney’s beleaguered franchise. What’s driving this chaos, and can Star Wars recover? Let’s dive into the drama, from fan outrage to creative upheaval, and explore why this Rey movie is igniting such fierce debate.
A Franchise in Crisis: Star Wars’ Post-Sequel Struggles
Since Disney acquired Lucasfilm in 2012 for $4.05 billion, Star Wars has delivered massive highs and crushing lows. The Force Awakens (2015) grossed $2.07 billion globally, but The Last Jedi (2017) and The Rise of Skywalker (2019) divided fans with their handling of legacy characters like Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa. The sequel trilogy’s lack of cohesive vision—blamed on creative clashes between directors J.J. Abrams and Rian Johnson—left many feeling betrayed. Standalone films like Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) underperformed with $393 million against a $275 million budget, while Disney+ series like The Acolyte (2024) faced review-bombing and “woke” criticism, earning a 14% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Star Wars hasn’t returned to theaters since 2019, with The Mandalorian & Grogu now slated as the next cinematic release in 2026.
The Rey movie, tentatively titled New Jedi Order, was announced as a flagship project to restore Star Wars’ theatrical glory. Directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, a Canadian-Pakistani filmmaker with two Oscars for documentaries on women’s rights in Pakistan, the film aims to depict Rey establishing a new Jedi Academy. Daisy Ridley expressed excitement in a January 2025 AlloCiné interview, calling it a “fantastic exploration of the Star Wars world” with a “different direction.” Yet, the project’s development has been rocky, marked by delays, writer changes, and fan backlash that threatens to derail it before production begins.
The “Woke” Backlash: Obaid-Chinoy’s Controversial Reputation
The heart of the controversy lies with Obaid-Chinoy, the first woman and person of color to direct a Star Wars film. Her April 2023 announcement sparked excitement for some, but her activist background—rooted in documentaries like Saving Face (2012) and A Girl in the River (2015), which tackled acid attacks and honor killings—drew scrutiny from conservative fans. A 2015 Women in the World summit clip, where she jokingly said she likes to “make men uncomfortable” through her art, resurfaced in late 2023, igniting accusations of anti-male bias. The quote, taken out of context from a discussion about social issues in Pakistan, was falsely tied to her Star Wars vision.
Obaid-Chinoy’s January 2024 CNN comment, “It’s about time we had a woman come forward to shape a story in a galaxy far, far away,” further fueled the fire. Conservative pundits like Ben Shapiro and Matt Walsh labeled the film “doomed,” with Walsh calling it “Disney’s biggest flop yet” on X. Libs of TikTok claimed Disney’s “woke” push is bleeding money, despite evidence that films like The Little Mermaid (2023, $570 million) and Barbie (2023, $1.4 billion) succeeded despite similar criticism. X posts, like one from @LucasSWGirl, accused Disney of a “divide-and-conquer” strategy, alleging Obaid-Chinoy’s hiring was a calculated move to deflect criticism as sexism or racism.
Rumors of Obaid-Chinoy’s firing, sparked by YouTuber Mike Zeroh in January 2024, claimed Disney axed her amid backlash. Lucasfilm debunked these, telling Gizmodo the film was in pre-production and awaiting Knight’s script. Yet, the rumors persisted, with FandomWire and The Direct noting fans’ distrust of Disney’s handling of the project. That Park Place speculated Obaid-Chinoy was pushing “DEI language” to protect the film’s budget, citing insider WDW Pro, though no evidence supports this. The backlash mirrors attacks on other “woke” projects, like The Acolyte and Snow White (2025), which faced review-bombing for diverse casting and feminist themes.
Writer Shake-Up: Steven Knight’s Exit and New Blood
The Rey movie’s development has been a revolving door of talent. Initially penned by Damon Lindelof and Justin Britt-Gibson, the script was handed to Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders) in 2023 after Lindelof’s amicable exit. Knight’s departure, reported by Variety in October 2024, stunned fans, with no official reason given. GameRant noted the film was “back to square one,” with no writer, delayed production, and a release likely pushed to 2027. On January 25, 2025, YouTube channels like RKOutpost announced a new writer—rumored to be Simon Kinberg, known for X-Men: Days of Future Past—though Disney has not confirmed this. The shake-up fueled speculation of creative discord, with Reddit’s r/StarWars decrying Disney’s “zero vision and cohesiveness” under Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy.
Fans fear the new writer signals a rushed or compromised vision. World of Reel reported in March 2024 that Disney had “quietly scrapped” the project, citing EmpireCity, though Ridley’s continued enthusiasm contradicts this. Reddit users like u/TheCrowMoon argued Kennedy’s track record—announcing projects like Rian Johnson’s trilogy and Taika Waititi’s film, which remain stalled—shows a pattern of “creative interference” driving talent away. Lindelof, in an Esquire interview, expressed hope to return to Star Wars, suggesting his exit was not acrimonious, but Knight’s silence has left fans wary. The new writer’s identity and approach remain critical, as the film’s concept—Rey rebuilding the Jedi—requires a delicate balance of nostalgia and innovation.
Why the Rey Movie Is Polarizing
The Rey movie’s troubles reflect deeper issues in Star Wars’ fanbase and Disney’s strategy. The sequel trilogy’s divisive reception—The Force Awakens (88% Rotten Tomatoes), The Last Jedi (91%), and The Rise of Skywalker (51%)—left scars. Fans felt Rey’s arc, from scavenger to “Skywalker,” lacked payoff, with The Rise of Skywalker criticized for retconning her Palpatine lineage. GameRant argued interest in Rey is “low,” citing Ridley’s post-Star Wars flops like Chaos Walking (2021, $26 million) and The Bubble (2022, $2 million). Her Young Woman and the Sea (2024) earned praise on Disney+ but failed to draw theatrical crowds, raising doubts about her box office pull.
Obaid-Chinoy’s activist background and comments have amplified fears of a “woke” agenda. Forbes noted that conservative critics, like Benny Johnson, seized on her feminist remarks, ignoring her acclaimed work on Ms. Marvel (98% Rotten Tomatoes). Meanwhile, defenders on Reddit’s r/StarWars argued Star Wars has always tackled social issues, from Leia’s leadership to the diverse casts of Rogue One and Andor. The backlash parallels The Acolyte’s, where a diverse cast and lesbian themes drew ire, and Snow White’s, where Rachel Zegler’s feminist comments sparked review-bombing. Spiked argued Disney’s “lecturing” tone risks alienating fans, pointing to The Marvels’ $206 million gross as a cautionary tale.
Disney’s broader struggles add context. The Hollywood Reporter noted Kennedy faces scrutiny, though claims of her “woke” push are overstated, as she doesn’t control Disney’s overall slate. The Marvels and Snow White’s losses—$237 million and $115 million, respectively—have made executives cautious, with That Park Place reporting fears of another flop. Yet, The Mandalorian & Grogu’s hype and Andor’s critical acclaim (96% Rotten Tomatoes) show Star Wars can still succeed with focused storytelling.
Can the Rey Movie Save Star Wars?
The Rey movie’s fate hinges on overcoming its current chaos. A new writer must deliver a script that honors Star Wars’ legacy while appealing to a fractured fanbase. The Direct noted Lucasfilm’s history of dropping directors—like Josh Trank and Colin Trevorrow—suggests flexibility, but also instability. Obaid-Chinoy’s vision, if balanced with Star Wars’ mythic tone, could resonate, but her “uncomfortable” remarks risk overshadowing her talent. Ridley’s commitment is a bright spot, but GameRant suggested a comic or novel might better suit Rey’s story, given the high cost of a theatrical release.
The backlash, while vocal, may not represent all fans. The Daily Beast argued Obaid-Chinoy’s critics are a loud minority, and The Force Awakens’ $2 billion gross shows Rey’s potential draw. However, Reddit’s r/FuckMarvel and X posts like @ScriptTrooper’s calling Obaid-Chinoy a “World Economic Forum activist” reflect deep distrust. Disney must navigate this polarization, balancing progressive themes with the saga’s universal appeal. The Mandalorian’s success ($1.2 billion in cultural impact, per Forbes) proves Star Wars thrives on broad, non-divisive stories.
What’s Next for Star Wars and Rey?
With production stalled and a release likely years away, the Rey movie faces an uphill battle. Disney’s pivot to The Mandalorian & Grogu suggests a safer bet, leveraging Baby Yoda’s popularity. World of Reel’s claim that the Rey project was scrapped remains unconfirmed, but the writer shake-up and fan unrest signal trouble. Obaid-Chinoy’s ability to weather the “woke” storm will be crucial, as will the new writer’s vision. For now, Star Wars fans remain divided, with X posts decrying “Disney’s disasters” and others holding hope for a Jedi revival. Whether New Jedi Order soars or crashes, its journey is already one of the franchise’s most contentious chapters.
