It's not unfair to say that it feels like a lot of Star Wars movies have failed to materialise since The Rise of Skywalker, but Lucasfilm is finally getting the franchise back on the right track.
That was evident from a huge Studio Showcase panel at today's Star Wars Celebration, and while we didn't get any title announcements, the Star Wars timeline just increased significantly. As you can see below, "The Old Republic" has been added to that, but James Mangold's (Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny) movie will take place during "Dawn of the Jedi."
Taking us deep into the past, it will tell the tale of the first Jedi to wield the Force and harness it as a liberating power in an era of chaos and oppression.
How far back are we going? Try 25,000 years. The filmmaker compares it to a "Biblical epic."
Dave Filoni, meanwhile, was positively giddy over the chance to finally direct a Star Wars movie and it's been confirmed that he will orchestrate the escalating war between the Imperial Remnant and the fledgling New Republic. We're not sure if this means The Mandalorian is nearing its end, but we expect the "heir to the Empire," Thrawn, to be front and centre.
The big news, of course, was Daisy Ridley's return to Star Wars for a movie set 15 years after the events of The Rise of Skywalker. As we mentioned earlier today, Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy will tell the story of rebuilding the New Jedi Order and the powers that rise to tear it down.
"I have spent the better part of my life meeting real heroes who are overcoming oppressive regimes and battling impossible odds," the filmmaker told over 4500 fans. "And I think that is the heart of Star Wars."
What sinister forces will rise in the wake of Emperor Palpatine's demise? And could this be the movie we see a far more mature Grogu make an appearance? Fingers crossed.
As you might expect, this era of storytelling will take place in what's being called the "New Jedi Order." Hopefully, we get more news soon as Kathleen Kennedy promised additional updates in the months ahead.