Rey Skywalker’s New Jedi Order Movie Not Being Episode 10 Makes It Far More Exciting

Although many have referred to Star Wars’ upcoming post-sequel trilogy movie as Star Wars 10, the movie will be far more exciting if it’s not a new episode of the Skywalker saga. Starring Daisy Ridley, who will be reprising her role as Rey Skywalker, it’s been confirmed that she’ll be attempting to rebuild the Jedi Order 15 years after Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and Palpatine’s ultimate defeat. However, there’s a lot more freedom to be had if it’s not a new episode.

At Star Wars Celebration 2023 in London, it was revealed that Lucasfilm has begun development on a New Jedi Order movie. Directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, the new movie was announced alongside a The Mandalorian movie from director Dave Filoni and a film covering the “Dawn of the Jedi” from James Mangold. Additionally, Rey is the only returning character confirmed thus far for the New Jedi Order movie. While none of the films were given concrete titles, there are compelling reasons why Rey’s movie will be much stronger if it’s not “Episode 10”.

There’s so much more freedom if Rey’s New Jedi Order movie is allowed to stand on its own. It wouldn’t be bound by having to be an episode and the baggage that comes with it, like the expectation that Lucasfilm would need to construct an entire new trilogy. By being its own entity, the New Jedi Order doesn’t have to be confined. Lucasfilm can see if the first one’s a success before potentially green-lighting any future installments.

A New Jedi Order movie with a unique title can also be more experimental and focused on its own, having the agency to try new things and/or go deeper. By being an isolated story, the episode expectations are virtually non-existent. Case in point, the movie could zero in on Rey as she seeks to evolve the Jedi Order for a brand-new era, rather than spending as much time setting up a full trilogy or establishing the wider galactic status quo. Furthermore, the inherent opportunity of a brand-new era is all the more reason why the upcoming movie shouldn’t be Star Wars 10.

After the controversies of the sequel trilogy and mixed reception from audiences, it would make sense for Lucasfilm to create some much-needed distance by not making the upcoming movie Star Wars 10. The opportunity for Rey Skywalker’s new movie to be a standalone story or the start of a new series has greater potential and is far more exciting than simply adding it to the Skywalker saga. It can be and do more, delving deeper as an all-new journey in the Star Wars galaxy.