Wonder Man's Yahya Abdul

Last October, it was announced that Damon Lindelof (Lost, Watchmen) is developing a new Star Wars movie for Lucasfilm. Lindelof will co-write the new movie along with Justin Britt-Gibson (The Strain).

Plot details for the new film are being kept under wraps however it will be set after the events of Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker. The film is not a continuation of the Skywalker Saga but could feature characters who were introduced in the sequel trilogy.

According to a new rumor, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II has been tapped as one of the leads in the upcoming film. The news comes from scooper Jeff Sneider in the latest episode of The Hot Mic podcast. You can see what Sneider said below:

"We talked about how the leads are black, right? It's a black man and a black woman. I was told, and I think I’ve said this before, so make sure to note this when you’re doing it, I’ve already said this – the black actor came attached to the movie. Who does Damon Lindelof have a relationship with? You know, who did he just work with on his last thing that got him this job? You wanna say it so I don't have to? [Yahya Abdul-Mateen II] I mean did he fit the description that I was given about an actor that's gone back and forth between film and television, and yet has never been a lead of his own film? I guess you could say that. Furiosa, I consider him a lead in that movie, but again the movie is called Furiosa, so he technically fits that description. Are we looking at Yahya in Star Wars? I think it's a possibility."

As always, since nothing has been confirmed by Lucasfilm or Disney, we will treat this as a rumor for now.

Abdul-Mateen is best known in the superhero sphere for his work on HBO's Watchmen, having won his first Emmy in 2020 for his turn as Cal Abar/Dr. Manhattan in the show based on the DC Comics from Dave Gibbons and Alan Moore. The actor first tied himself to DC with 2018's Aquaman and will reprise his role as David Kane aka Black Manta in the sequel Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, which is slated for release on December 25, 2023. The actor has also been tapped for the lead role in Marvel's upcoming Wonder Man live-action Disney+ series.

According to Deadline, Oscar-winner and Ms. Marvel director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy is in talks to helm the project.

Another recent report from The Hot Mic Podcast, indicated that the film may hit the big screens earlier than previously thought.

According to what Sneider has heard, Damon Lindelof's Star Wars movie will be the next Star Wars film to release in theaters in December 2025. You can see what Sneider said below:

"I do think it's going to happen, in fact I think it has a release date. I’m trying to keep track of what I’m allowed to say…I think it's going to come out in December 2025. December 19th, 2025. I’ve been saying that since I reported it, and I reported that story in March and I followed it up this Summer saying he's been seen on the [Lucasfilm] lot and that kind of stuff." – Jeff Sneider

Sneider went on to say, that he believes Lindelof's film will inherit Taika Waititi's Star Wars film release date.

"This is the release date Taika [Waititi] has right now, December 19th, 2025, but fans can read between the lines and look at what's being reported, and yeah I don't think he's really there yet. Damon [Lindelof] will inherit that date." – Jeff Sneider

According to World of Reel, Damon Lindelof's Star Wars movie will start shooting in April of this year.

Source: The Hot Mic via Murphy's Multiverse