Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy is poised to make history as the first female director in the Star Wars franchise. The 45-year-old Pakistani-Canadian director, also the first woman of color to helm a Star Wars installment, is set to direct the upcoming part, Star Wars: New Jedi Order.
With filming scheduled to commence this year, Sharmeen expressed her excitement about the project in a New Year’s Eve interview with CNN, stating, “I’m very thrilled about the project because I feel what we’re about to create is something very special.” Reflecting on the significance of her role, she added, “We’re in 2024 now, and it’s about time that we had a woman come forward to shape a story in a galaxy far, far away.”
An Academy Award winner renowned for her documentary Saving Face, Sharmeen disclosed that the screenplay has been crafted by Steven Knight, the creator of Peaky Blinders. Additionally, she confirmed that Daisy Ridley is set to reprise her role as Rey in the film.
Sharmeen, a prominent figure in the filmmaking community, has previously directed two episodes of the Ms Marvel series. Her illustrious career includes seven Emmy Awards, two Academy Awards, a Knight International Journalism Award, and various other honors. The groundbreaking director is poised to leave an indelible mark on the iconic Star Wars franchise with her unique storytelling vision.
