The announcement was made by Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy during Disney’s investor day, where the studio made numerous creative announcements on a wide range of brands.
In a video posted on Twitter, Jenkins said she is using her fighter pilot father as an inspiration for the project and has wanted to make the “greatest fighter pilot movie ever made” for quite some time.
The plan is to release the movie on Christmas Day 2023.
While most of the Star Wars attention is focused on series work, film development is percolating. Rogue Squadron now becomes the second feature in active development alongside a project from Thor: Ragnarok director Taika Waititi. There is also one being developed by Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige.
Jenkins will be the first woman to act as the principal director of a Star Wars movie.
