James Mangold’s Jedi Origin Star Wars Movie Taps Andor Writer To Script

Summary

• Beau Willimon, known for his work on
  House of Cards
  , is set to write James Mangold’s
  Star Wars
  Jedi origin movie.
• The film is a prequel for the entire franchise, exploring the first-ever Jedi 25,000 years before
  The Phantom Menace
  .
• Willimon’s experience with Lucasfilm from writing for the Disney+ series
  Andor
  makes him a fitting choice for the new
  Star Wars
  project.

Nearly a year after it was first announced, James Mangold’s Star Wars Jedi origin movie has found its writer. After taking a few years to build out the universe on Disney+ with The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, Andor and Ahsoka, Lucasfilm is turning their attention back to the big screen with mutliple new Star Wars movies in the works. Among these are The Mandalorian & Grogu, which was recently confirmed for a May 2026 release, a Daisy Ridley-led movie, a Taika Waititi-helmed film, the Solo: A Star Wars Story spinoff Lando and Mangold’s project.

The Hollywood Reporter has brought word that Oscar, Golden Globe and Emmy nominee Beau Willimon has been tapped to pen the script for Mangold’s Star Wars Jedi origin movie. The writer already has experience with the Lucasfilm franchise by having written three episodes of Disney+’s Andor, namely the show’s acclaimed Narkina 5 arc. In addition to this, Willimon has also garnered acclaim for his work on Netflix’s House of Cards, which he developed, and the George Clooney-helmed The Ides of March.

James Mangold’s Movie Will Reveal The Origin Of The Force Itself

Initially announced at 2023’s Star Wars Celebration in Europe, Mangold’s movie is reportedly being titled as Dawn of the Jedi, borrowing the name of a Dark Horse Comics story arc exploring the early days of the Jedi. Though Mangold has hinted that the word “dawn” might not even be uttered within the movie, he has confirmed that it will be set roughly 25,000 years before the events of A New Hope, with the plan being to kick off a new era within the franchise exploring the origins of The Force and the iconic religious organization.

Willimon’s attachment to the new Star Wars movie marks the first major update it’s received since it was first announced, particularly due to Mangold’s ever-growing docket. In the year since the reveal, Mangold began production on his Timothée Chalamet-led Bob Dylan biopic, A Complete Unknown, while also set to write and direct the DC Universe’s Swamp Thing movie, both of which were said to happen after Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny‘s release. As such, it seemed like Dawn of the Jedi was either being pushed back or held indefinitely in the same vein as Waititi’s movie.

Though Willimon’s hiring indicates positive progress for Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi‘s development, it does still seem unlikely to be released for another few years. Between Mangold’s busy docket and Lucasfilm’s other planned projects, including the upcoming releases of The Acolyte, another prequel exploring the High Republic era of the franchise, and Skeleton Crew, and the in-development Andor and Ahsoka season 2, the schedule is pretty full for all involved. Despite the longer wait, though, Mangold’s overall passion for the project and Willimon’s prior success with Andor are promising signs of what’s to come from it.

Source: THR