Star Wars is basically in a state of high-stakes reinvention right now. After years of focusing on the Mando-verse on Disney Plus, Lucasfilm is finally heading back to the big screen with a project that feels like a massive gamble. We’re talking about the movie directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, which aims to jump fifteen years past the events of The Rise of Skywalker. Naturally, everyone wants to know about the cast of Star Wars New Jedi Order because, let's be real, a movie is only as good as the people swinging the lightsabers.
The project was officially announced at Star Wars Celebration 2023 in London. It was a big moment. Daisy Ridley walked out on stage, and the crowd went wild. It was the first "official" confirmation that Rey Skywalker wasn't just a memory of the sequel trilogy. She’s the anchor. The center of the storm.
Daisy Ridley is the Foundation of the New Jedi Order
Daisy Ridley is the only name we can 100% bank on right now. She’s returning as Rey, but this isn't the scavenger we met on Jakku. She’s now a Master. The pressure is on her to rebuild an entire order from the ground up, which is a daunting task considering how well that went for Luke Skywalker.
Honestly, it’s a bold move for Ridley. She’s spent the last few years doing smaller, character-driven indie projects like Sometimes I Think About Dying and the survival drama The Marsh King's Daughter. Coming back to the galaxy far, far away means stepping back into the most intense spotlight in Hollywood. She’s been quoted in various interviews, like with Variety, saying she was "nervous" but "excited" about the script from Steven Knight.
Wait—scratch that.
The production has hit some snags. Steven Knight, the creator of Peaky Blinders, was the lead writer for a long time, but recent reports from industry insiders like Puck and Variety suggest he might have moved on, leaving the script in a state of flux. This directly impacts who else joins the cast of Star Wars New Jedi Order. You can’t hire actors if you don't have a finished script for them to read.
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The Rumor Mill: Who Might Join the Cast of Star Wars New Jedi Order?
This is where things get messy and exciting. Since the movie focuses on Rey’s attempt to train a new generation of Jedi, we need students. We need padawans.
There has been massive speculation about John Boyega returning as Finn. Fans have been vocal about this. If you remember The Rise of Skywalker, it was heavily hinted that Finn was Force-sensitive. It would feel like a missed opportunity to build a New Jedi Order without him. Boyega’s relationship with the franchise has been rocky in the past—he’s been very open about his frustrations with how Finn’s character arc was handled in the sequels—but in more recent chats, he’s sounded more open to the idea of returning if the story is right.
Then there is the question of the kids.
Rumors have circulated for months about young actors being scouted. Names like Amandla Stenberg or Manny Jacinto (from The Acolyte) are off the table because they exist in a completely different era of the timeline. We are looking for fresh blood. Lucasfilm has a history of casting unknowns for these roles. Think about it. Daisy Ridley and John Boyega weren't household names when The Force Awakens dropped. Expect the cast of Star Wars New Jedi Order to feature at least two or three breakout stars in their late teens or early twenties.
Will the Legacy Characters Appear?
It's a Star Wars movie. You almost have to expect a Force Ghost or two.
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- Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker: He’s the most likely candidate. Luke is the one who started Rey on this path. It would make sense for him to show up as a guide, much like Yoda did for him.
- Adam Driver as Ben Solo: This is the one fans want most, but it’s the least likely. Ben Solo died. He vanished into the Force. Driver has also been pretty firm in interviews lately, stating he’s done with Star Wars. People change their minds, sure, but don't hold your breath.
- Oscar Isaac as Poe Dameron: Poe is a pilot, not a Jedi. Unless the movie spends significant time on the New Republic’s military, he might sit this one out.
Why Casting This Movie is So Difficult
Lucasfilm is under a microscope. The sequel trilogy divided the fanbase in a way that’s still felt today in every Reddit thread and YouTube comment section. Consequently, the cast of Star Wars New Jedi Order has to be "perfect." They need a mix of diversity, acting chops, and that indefinable "Star Wars feel."
Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy is a documentary filmmaker and an Oscar winner. She’s known for Saving Face and A Girl in the River. Her approach is likely to be more grounded and socially conscious than what we saw from J.J. Abrams. This suggests she might look for actors who can handle heavy emotional weight, not just people who look good holding a plastic stick in front of a blue screen.
The timeline is a major factor here. Fifteen years is a long time. Rey won't be the same person. The actors playing her students need to feel like they grew up in a world where the First Order is a bad memory, but the threat of the Dark Side is still a looming shadow. It’s a delicate balance.
The Reality of Production Delays
Let's talk about the elephant in the room. The movie was originally looking at a 2026 release. With the writer turnover and the ongoing adjustments at Disney regarding how much Star Wars content they pump out, things have slowed down.
When things slow down, actors' schedules conflict.
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You might have a "dream cast" in mind, but if the shoot gets pushed back six months, your lead actor might be busy filming a Marvel movie or a prestige HBO series. This is why we haven't seen a massive "cast reveal" yet. Lucasfilm is likely waiting until the script is locked and the start date is set in stone before they start signing those multi-picture contracts.
What We Know for Sure
Sometimes it's better to look at what's concrete rather than chasing every "leaked" tweet from a random account.
- Daisy Ridley is the lead. This is the only 100% confirmed cast member.
- The story is about rebuilding. The cast will primarily consist of Rey’s students and likely a new antagonist.
- Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy is directing. Her vision will dictate the "vibe" of the casting.
People often ask if the movie will bridge the gap with the "New Jedi Order" books from the old Legends continuity. Honestly? Probably not. The movie seems to be carving its own path, using the name more as a thematic descriptor than a literal adaptation of the Yuuzhan Vong war. If you're expecting those specific characters to show up in the cast of Star Wars New Jedi Order, you're probably going to be disappointed.
How to Stay Updated on Official Casting
The internet is full of "concept trailers" and fake posters. Don't fall for them. If you want the real news on who is joining the cast of Star Wars New Jedi Order, keep an eye on the trades: The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, and Deadline. When an actor signs a deal for a Star Wars movie, it’s big enough news that these outlets get the scoop directly from agents or the studio.
Also, Star Wars Celebration is the place for big reveals. If the movie is still on track for the next few years, the next Celebration event will almost certainly feature the full cast walking out on stage together.
For now, we wait. We know Rey is back. We know she’s a Master. We just don't know who is going to be sitting in her classroom yet.
Actionable Steps for Fans
- Watch Daisy Ridley’s recent work: If you want to see how she’s evolved as an actress, check out The Marsh King's Daughter. It shows a much grittier side of her that might bleed into an older, more seasoned Rey.
- Follow the trades: Bookmark The Hollywood Reporter's Star Wars tag. They are the first to report on actual casting calls and signed contracts.
- Revisit the Sequels: To understand where the New Jedi Order is going, you have to understand where Rey left off. Re-watching the final scenes of The Rise of Skywalker gives you the baseline for her mindset.
- Ignore the "Leaks" on Social Media: Unless it comes from a verified source, 90% of casting rumors are just fan-casting disguised as news. Stay skeptical until you see an official headshot from Lucasfilm.