Star Wars Episode 10 leak: two new leads, Rey as mentor

A new Star Wars Episode 10 plot leak says the next saga film will be built around two new leads, with Rey serving as their mentor. Honestly, this all sounds pretty good to me, and I think it could be a way for Star Wars to reset.

The report comes via Comic Book Movie. It says Episode 10 is moving forward at Lucasfilm with Jon Watts directing a script from Simon Kinberg, continuing the Skywalker saga after The Rise of Skywalker.

What The Episode 10 Leak Says About The New Leads

According to that report, an insider has learned that Episode 10 will have two leads, with Rey as a mentor to them. The report says her own movie isn't dead but is on hold, and it suggests that project has likely been sidelined so her story can continue here instead.

A trusted Star Wars insider reportedly added more context. Lucasfilm is said to be looking for a male and a female lead, likely unknowns in their early to mid twenties. The dynamic is described as very much the Finn and Rey archetype, but with a more clearly defined romantic component.

The male lead reportedly comes from a harsh orphan background, like Rey, and gets swept into the story after being implicated in a killing. The female lead reportedly comes from high society, perfectionist royalty, and brings him onto the larger stage of Star Wars characters we know. The insider also said the male lead won't be the unnamed character from Star Wars: Starfighter, despite rumors pointing to that character becoming one of Rey's apprentices.

Why A High Society Lead Could Bring Back Star Wars Politics

I like the idea of a male and female lead, and I love the idea of the female lead coming from high society. It's an oldie but goodie, reminiscent of Princess Leia, and it's something we haven't seen much in Star Wars recently. The sequel trilogy mostly left out the political side of things, apart from the Canto Bight sequence, which was more window dressing than anything else.

That matters to me because right now we have no idea what's going on in that galaxy. We're roughly five to ten years after The Rise of Skywalker, I believe. The First Order is done, and the government is in shambles after Hosnian Prime blew up. Are the Jedi leading? Is Rey leading? A character tied to that world gives us a shot at finding out, and pairing a low, scrappy scoundrel type with a high society type is always a good combination.

Is Rey's Standalone Movie Still Alive?

Rey being in Episode 10 is no surprise. Her movie still being alive, I don't know about that. I think they have to say that. One idea Luke and I discussed behind the scenes is whether Daisy Ridley agreed to fold into Episodes 10 through 12 in exchange for still getting her own movie.

If so, the Rey film could become more of a side plot movie between the trilogies, a smaller sidebar project. She does have a fan base, whatever people say. But the trilogy is what matters right now. We're in a reset universe, Dave Filoni's first real effort will be Episode 10, and this trilogy is going to define the Filoni era and whether it lasts.

I still don't think the Rey movie is happening anytime soon, and I don't think Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy is still attached. My take is that it's potentially not dead, more shoved to the side while they see how Episode 10 rolls.

Why Jon Watts And Simon Kinberg Give Me Hope

I always said Jon Watts was a good choice. I think he's a safer choice, but he has great work behind him, including Cop Car. Skeleton Crew showed he has a great Star Wars sensibility. It was a very Goonies, Amblin style Star Wars aimed at a younger audience, which I think was an awesome counterpoint to the darker, more mature Andor. I hope we see Jude Law's character come back in this trilogy, because he was a highlight of Skeleton Crew.

Some people are very down on Kinberg, and I understand why. His directing track record stinks, and he's been involved with some stinkers. But I have a lot of faith in him as a writer and shepherd because of Rebels. He co-created it with Dave Filoni, works well with him, and co-wrote some of its most highly regarded episodes. If he gets proper directors like Watts, I think it could be something special, or at least something fun and worthwhile.

Starfighter is still Kathleen Kennedy's baby, so we'll have to see what Filoni does now that he's in charge. I hope Starfighter is closer to the Star Wars feel of the first Mandalorian seasons, and that Shawn Levy doesn't lean too hard on comedy.

Lord And Miller Make Peace With Their Solo Exit

Dark Horizons reports that Phil Lord and Chris Miller say they've made peace with being dismissed from Solo: A Star Wars Story partway through production. On The Town podcast, they said they never wished the film ill, telling the crew, "If you want to do something to support us, make a great movie with Ron." They also said Kennedy reached out to congratulate them on Project Hail Mary, and on returning to the franchise, never say never.

I think they'd be willing to come back now that Kennedy and Lawrence Kasdan are no longer involved, though I don't know if they actually would; they might just be speaking softly about it. From what I've heard from people behind the scenes, and I don't have great sources, it was even more Kasdan than Kennedy. He had real ownership of Han Solo and didn't like their improvisational approach. I think Lucasfilm was probably fearful of something like Thor: Love and Thunder happening to Star Wars, though Lord and Miller aren't Taika Waititi.

I see both sides. I would have loved to see their version, which would have been a big swing at potential greatness. I'm also happy with Ron Howard's safer film. Alden Ehrenreich did enough for me, and I loved Woody Harrelson and Chewbacca in it. Those hesitations probably proved unfounded and were probably the wrong decision.

Kathleen Kennedy Takes Over The 2028 Olympics Ceremonies

The Hollywood Reporter says Kennedy has been tapped to replace Peter Rice as head of ceremonies and content for the LA 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, after Netflix hired Rice as chief content officer. Rice will stay on as an executive producer.

I like it. Kennedy gets a bad rap for what people didn't like about Star Wars, and you could argue all day about what she got right and wrong. I do think it was time for her to move on from Star Wars. But she's a professional who knows what she's doing, and I think this is a great place to slot her. I love the opening ceremonies, and I think she'll do wonders with them.

Could the DCU Bench Batman With a Broken Back From Bane?

One idea put to me was that the DCU's Batman could be absent because Bane has broken his back. I find it interesting. Batman could be out injured while the studio builds up the rest of the Bat family, then he could make a big return. It might annoy fans who want Batman now, and I don't know how long the franchise could stall. Much depends on when The Batman Part II arrives and whether a third film happens.

I trust James Gunn but don't love the plan to skip the other Robins and go straight to Damian Wayne. Skipping Dick Grayson and introducing him as Nightwing works for me. I would like to see Tim Drake as Robin, maybe with Jason Todd already dead. The catch is that Knightfall is a big Batman story to start in the middle of if it happens off screen. I've seen part one of the animated Knightfall, and it's really good. It makes Bane terrifying.

VisionQuest and James Spader's Ultron

I've seen VisionQuest through episode 7, and I think it's probably one of the best things Marvel has done since Disney Plus launched. WandaVision was divisive, but I think it was a big swing that was well done overall, and Loki was fantastic. Right now, Loki and VisionQuest are my top picks. James Spader has stolen the show, and I'm glad he came back as Ultron. There's also a great scene for Paul Bettany in episode 7.

Wonder Man was solid, though I hold a small grudge because Ed Harris was announced for it and then dropped after the strike. I like its mostly standalone approach. It doesn't have to be fully connected or fully disconnected, just as comics run big Avengers crossovers alongside miniseries for lesser characters. I think Disney Plus maybe should do more of those spotlight stories.

On Spader's recent comment about being asked about movies he'd never heard of, such as Avengers: Doomsday, I think he's being coy. I don't know if he's in Doomsday, but I would love to see it. There was also a leaked Scarlet Witch project I can't vouch for, though I wouldn't be surprised if VisionQuest led into one. The Dune: Part Three trailer was solid, and I plan to see both Dune and Doomsday.

Alien Resurrection, Alien 3 and the Future of the Alien Franchise

Outside Alien vs. Predator: Requiem, Alien Resurrection is my least favorite in the saga. I hate it, I feel it disrespects everything that came before, and Brad Dourif is the only good thing about it. Alien 3, by contrast, I find underrated. I understand the anger over Newt and Hicks being killed off, but I love the prison planet, Charles Dutton and the return to horror. I prefer the assembly cut, which I consider a superior version.

I loved the first season of Alien: Earth. Timothy Olyphant was phenomenal, and I'm glad a second season is coming. Going against the grain, I was a Prometheus fan and want to see the end of Ridley Scott's David trilogy alongside more from the Alien: Romulus era. I also think Alien vs. Predator should come back, with Predator back on track thanks to Prey and Killer of Killers. I'd pair those younger filmmakers, perhaps with Fede Álvarez directing one.

Crystal Lake, Project Hail Mary and an Early Word on Spaceballs 2

As a big Friday the 13th fan, I enjoyed Crystal Lake. I know some purists dislike the lore changes, but this series has changed its lore so often there is no single version. I appreciated the homages to the first couple of films in the cuts, wipes and title cards, and Linda Cardellini gives a great performance. It was a fun sci-fi monster movie romp.

My favorite film of the year so far is probably Project Hail Mary. I like The Mandalorian and Grogu but appreciate other films more. I've heard nothing but praise for Wildwood. A friend who saw an early cut of Spaceballs 2 told me it hit the mark, despite fearing it wouldn't.

Can Dave Filoni Deliver for Star Wars?

To a fan with no faith in Filoni, I'd say he is still learning live action and is very much in the Lucas vein, while Tony Gilroy has a different style. I think Filoni loves art for art's sake and will support artists telling their stories, as long as Disney allows him. Will he be too precious about the material? Maybe, and definitely about Ahsoka. I don't think he loved Andor, but I hope those artists include people like Gilroy.

I see Filoni as like Lucas: a good storyteller, but not a great script writer. I don't like that he's writing Ahsoka season 2 alone; he was always best with a writers' room. Because Simon Kinberg helped on some Rebels episodes, I have a little more faith in Episodes X through XII. I don't think Filoni prefers his own characters; from what I've gathered, he's afraid to touch Lucas's, and he was hesitant to use Anakin.

Andor's Tone and Why Star Wars Can Hold Both

On the point that Rogue One was the most watched Disney era Star Wars film in Nielsen data, I think Andor's popularity sent many people, myself included, straight into Rogue One. I see Andor as a tonal outlier, not a quality one. It's a grounded, dark political thriller, unlike the swaggering adventure of even The Empire Strikes Back and Revenge of the Sith. At its core, a rebellion against a fascist empire and finding hope in dark times, it's still Star Wars to me.

I'd defend Filoni's tension too: the Clone Wars season 7 finale arc and the Siege of Mandalore are among my favorite projects, though I can see the criticisms of Ahsoka season 1. My position is simple: I love Andor and would like more of it, but I also want Skeleton Crew. I want all of Star Wars.