It's High Time for a Female Director to Take the Helm of a Star Wars Movie
A pivotal moment in the Star Wars universe as the director acknowledges the need for female representation behind the scenes Time has come for a woman to shape the narrative in the vast galaxy that has captivated audiences for decades
Filmmaker Sharmeed Obaid-Chinoy, an Oscar winner, is set to direct an upcoming Star Wars film, featuring the return of Daisy Ridley as Rey. This marks the first time a woman will helm a Star Wars movie since the franchise's inception in the 1970s. In an interview with CNN, Obaid-Chinoy expressed her excitement about the opportunity, emphasizing the significance of having a woman at the helm of a story set in a distant galaxy. "We're in 2024 now, and I think it's about time we had a woman come forward to shape the story in a galaxy far, far away," she stated.
Obaid-Chinoy has won Best Documentary, Short Subject Academy Awards for the films Saving Face (2012) and A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness (2015).
In 2020, Kathleen Kennedy, the head of Lucasfilm, assured the BBC that a woman would eventually direct a Star Wars movie, stating that it would "absolutely" happen, "without question." While Victoria Mahoney served as a second unit director on The Rise of Skywalker, a woman has yet to receive top directing credit on a Star Wars movie.
The Mandalorian has showcased several female directors such as Deborah Chow and Bryce Dallas Howard. Chow has even directed the Obi-Wan TV series as well. On the other hand, while prominent figures like producer Barbara Broccoli and Skyfall director Sam Mendes have expressed their desire for a woman to direct a James Bond film, the franchise has never had a female director.
Obaid-Chinoy's Star Wars movie is shrouded in mystery, with limited information available other than Ridley's return as Rey. The film is anticipated to be the first of the three new Star Wars installments, potentially hitting theaters in December 2025. Additionally, it has been reported that Steven Knight, creator of Peaky Blinders, will be taking over writing duties for the Rey movie from Damon Lindelof and Justin Britt-Gibson.
Editor's P/S
As a passionate Star Wars fan, I am thrilled to hear that Sharmeed Obaid-Chinoy will be directing an upcoming Star Wars film. It is high time that a woman takes the helm of a Star Wars movie, and I believe that Obaid-Chinoy is the perfect person for the job. She is an incredibly talented filmmaker, and her work has shown that she has a deep understanding of the human condition. I am confident that she will bring a unique and fresh perspective to the Star Wars universe.
I am also excited to see Daisy Ridley return as Rey. Rey is one of the most iconic characters in the Star Wars franchise, and I am eager to see where her journey takes her next. I believe that Obaid-Chinoy and Ridley will make a great team, and I can't wait to see what they create together.
