Damon Lindelof on Star Wars Exit: I “Was Asked to Leave” the ‘Rise of Skywalker’ Sequel

In a new interview with Esquire, Lost creator Damon Lindelof directly addressed his mysterious exit from the Star Wars universe earlier this year. The writer had been working on the next Star Wars movie at the time, though the film is still being developed by Lucasfilm despite his exit.

“I was in more than talks to join the Star Wars universe,” Lindelof said. “I joined the Star Wars universe and was asked to leave.”

Lindelof was originally attached to write the next Star Wars installment with Ms. Marvel director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy attached to direct. He later brought on Justin Britt-Gibson as a co-writer, and together, he said, they created a script that was “a true labor of love.”

“Will I get back in line outside the club and try to get back in again?” Lindelof said. “Absolutely. If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again… or again again try, as Yoda would say.”

Obaid-Chinoy is still set to direct the movie while Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight has signed on to write the script.

Lucasfilm’s plan for the next installment was announced at the recent Star Wars Celebration: It will be a sequel to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and will bring actress Daisy Ridley back to the franchise. It is unclear if other characters from the Star Wars films will also be making a comeback.

Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy revealed the sequel will take place 15 years later and will follow Rey as she tries to rebuild the Jedi Order.

“Well, we’re 15 years out from Rise of Skywalker, so we’re post-war, post-First Order, and the Jedi are in disarray. There’s a lot of discussion around, ‘Who are the Jedi? What are they doing? What’s the state of the galaxy?’” Kennedy said at the time. “She’s attempting to rebuild the Jedi Order, based on the books, based on what she promised Luke.”

Lindelof is certainly not running out of things to work on, but the Watchmen creator does seem open to working with Lucasfilm again in the future.

“The movie is still happening, but unfortunately not with me,” he confirmed at the recent premiere of his Peacock series Mrs. Davis. “I wish them all the best of luck. Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy is an incredible director, and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with.”