Kevin Feige developing a Star Wars film!

In a surprising move (which shouldn’t actually surprise anyone), The Hollywood Reporter brings word that Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige is developing a Star Wars movie with Kathleen Kennedy. Walt Disney Studios co-chairman and chief creative officer Alan Horn confirmed the news in a statement to THR, saying:

“We are excited about the projects Kathy and the Lucasfilm team are working on, not only in terms of Star Wars but also Indiana Jones and reaching into other parts of the company including Children of Blood and Bone with Emma Watts and Fox. With the close of the Skywalker Saga, Kathy is pursuing a new era in Star Wars storytelling, and knowing what a die-hard fan Kevin is, it made sense for these two extraordinary producers to work on a Star Wars film together.”

The trade notes that the project does not stem from a potential move of Feige from Marvel Studios to Lucasfilm, but simply the producer’s passion for the franchise. Kennedy remains the president of Lucasfilm and will stay in that position for the foreseeable future.

Further speaking about the film, THR notes that Feige has reportedly “told a major actor” that there is a role for them in the film if the project gets off the ground.

Feige has long been a vocal fan of the Star Wars franchise, going so far as to include a character getting a hand/limb severed in EVERY Phase 2 movie from Marvel Studios as a nod to Luke Skywalker’s hand amputation in The Empire Strikes Back. Countless jokes and references to the galaxy far, far away have been peppered into the MCU as well, such as Peter Parker’s reference to “that old movie” (also referring to Episode V).

When could the film be released? It’s unclear, but might not be for a few years. Both Feige and Lucasfilm have their hands full with a variety of projects. Marvel Studios just unveiled a slate of films and television series through at least 2022, plus the recent acquisition of the 20th Century Fox brand means the X-Men and Fantastic Four will be having their own homecoming to the MCU in the near future. As for Lucasfilm, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker will debut this December, with three more untitled Star Wars movies already set for 2022, 2024, and 2026. It’s believed that these release dates belong to the trilogy from Game of Thrones creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss’, but a trilogy from The Last Jedi director Rian Johnson also remains in development with likely other unannounced Star Wars projects in the wings (not to mention Indiana Jones and Children of Blood and Bone).

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