‘Peaky Blinders’ Creator to Write Next ‘Star Wars’ Film

Steven Knight, creator of the hit BBC drama ‘Peaky Blinders’, will script an upcoming yet-to-be-revealed Star Wars film.

This news, as reported in Variety, follows the development from 21st March that the previous screenwriter on the project, Damon Lindelof (Prometheus, Star Trek: Into Darkness), will no longer work on the movie.

Lindelof, best known for co-creating ‘Lost’ and HBO’s ‘Watchmen’, had reportedly been working on a script since at least October 2022. He co-wrote a story with Justin Britt-Gibson (‘Counterpart’), who also departed the project.

Outside of ‘Peaky Blinders’, British screenwriter Steven Knight might be best known for penning the Academy Award-winning script for Dirty Pretty Things, as well as Locke and, more recently, Spencer. The quick turnaround on bringing Knight in implies that Lucasfilm are eager to get this film made, as Star Wars has been absent from the silver screen since 2019’s divisive Skywalker Saga conclusion The Rise of Skywalker.

The currently untitled film will be directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy. No plot details are known but the film is believed to be set after The Rise of Skywalker. Obaid-Chinoy is a two-time Academy Award-winning filmmaker for her documentary work. More recently, she directed two episodes of ‘Ms. Marvel’ for Disney Plus.

It is unclear whether Knight will build on Lindelof’s existing script or start an entirely new treatment. Knight will have a busy schedule on his hands, as he is reportedly also penning a Vertigo remake with Robert Downey Jr. eyeing the leading role.

This shakeup follows a pattern at Lucasfilm, who have seen multiple directors leave projects, like Phil Lord and Christopher Miller who departed Solo, and had some films cancelled altogether, such as Patty Jenkins’ Rogue Squadron and an untitled project that was to be produced by Marvel Cinematic Universe head Kevin Feige.

In other galactic news, Star Wars Celebration 2023 is fast approaching, taking place from 7-10 April in London. Fans can expect plenty of announcements regarding their film and TV slate, including possible details on the Obaid-Chinoy/Knight feature.

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