After Solo: A Star Wars Story became bogged down in creative differences that ultimately led to a change in directors midway through shooting, the movie underwhelmed at the box office and Lucasfilm abandoned plans for future spin-offs.
The Skywalker Saga still hadn't ended by that point, of course, and fans had high hopes for The Rise of Skywalker. Unfortunately, it quickly became the franchise's most divisive instalment to date - no easy feat after The Last Jedi - and similarly underperformed (and, similar to Solo, changed hands when Colin Trevorrow was replaced by J.J. Abrams, albeit much earlier in the production process).
After that, the franchise stalled on the big screen and a number of projects, including Patty Jenkins' Rogue Squadron, have fallen by the wayside. Star Wars Celebration brought some big announcements, though, including a movie starring Daisy Ridley's Rey that's set 15 years after the Skywalker Saga's conclusion.
Damon Lindelof was originally writing the script before being replaced by Steven Knight and we recently learned what he had planned for the project.
Now, though, he's finally confirmed that his departure from this Galaxy Far, Far Away wasn't his decision. "I was in more than talks to join the Star Wars universe," Lindelof tells Esquire. "I joined the Star Wars universe and was asked to leave."
"Will I get back in line outside the club and try to get back in again?" he continues. "Absolutely. If at first you don't succeed, try and try again, or again again try, as Yoda would say."
The fact Lindelof hopes to return to Star Wars may suggest that his split with Lucasfilm wasn't on bad terms. Kathleen Kennedy has made a habit of clashing with creatives over the years, so it's possible the writer is just choosing his words carefully here after parting ways with the studio over those all-too-familiar "creative differences."
We may find out more down the line, but excitement for Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy's upcoming Rey-led movie remains high among fans anxious to revisit this franchise in theaters.