Michelle Rejwan

Last updated

Michelle Rejwan
Born (1982-03-08) March 8, 1982 (age 41)
NationalityAmerican
Alma mater Columbia University
OccupationProducer
Employer Lucasfilm
TitleSenior Vice-President of Live Action Development and Production

Michelle Rejwan (born March 8, 1982) is an American film producer and the Senior Vice-president of Live Action Development and Production for Lucasfilm. [1] [2] [3] She produced the Star Wars film The Rise of Skywalker , alongside Kathleen Kennedy and J. J. Abrams. [1] [2]

Contents

Biography

Rejwan went to University of California, Los Angeles for a year, transferred to University of Southern California, before deciding to take a leave of absence. She got a job as assistant to Allison Jones. [4] She later became an assistant to Jeff Garlin. After a stint in the film industry, Rejwan returned to school and graduated from Columbia University School of General Studies in 2008. [4] [5]

After Columbia, Rejwan landed a job as J. J. Abrams' assistant and rose to associate producer on Super 8 and co-produced Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker . [4] In 2019, she was named Senior Vice President of Live Action Development and Production of Lucasfilm, where she has been a member of the Star Wars "brain trust" since 2015. [3] [6] Rejwan served as executive producer for the Disney+ series Obi-Wan Kenobi , Andor , and Willow . [7] [8] [9]

In October 2022, it was reported that Rejwan had stepped down from her role of Senior Vice President for Live Action Development & Production at Lucasfilm, though she was not leaving Lucasfilm entirely. Rejwan remains at Lucasfilm in a full-time producer capacity. [10] [11]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleProducerExecutive
Producer
NotesRef.
2011 Super 8 AssociateNo [2]
2013Star Trek: Secrets of the UniverseNoYesTV documentary movie
Star Trek Into Darkness Co-producerNo [2]
2015 Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens Co-producerNo [2]
2018Monster ChallengeNoYesShort film
2019 Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker YesNo [2]

Television

YearTitleProducerExecutive
Producer
NotesRef.
2022 Obi-Wan Kenobi NoYes Disney+ limited series
Light & Magic NoYes Disney+ documentary series [12]
Andor NoYes Disney+ series
Willow NoYes Disney+ series

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Obi-Wan Kenobi</span> Fictional character in the Star Wars franchise

Obi-Wan Kenobi is a fictional character in the Star Wars franchise. Within the original trilogy, Obi-Wan is a Jedi Master as a supporting character and is portrayed by English actor Alec Guinness. In the later-released prequel trilogy, a younger version of the character serves as one of the two main protagonists, alongside Anakin Skywalker, and is portrayed by Scottish actor Ewan McGregor. In the original trilogy he is introduced as Ben Kenobi, an alias he uses while in hiding from the Empire. He is a mentor to Luke Skywalker, to whom he introduces the ways of the Jedi. After sacrificing himself in a duel against Darth Vader, Obi-Wan guides Luke through the Force in his fight against the Galactic Empire. In the prequel trilogy, set two decades earlier, he is initially a Padawan (apprentice) to Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn, and later mentor and friend of Luke's father Anakin, who falls to the dark side of the Force and becomes Vader. The character briefly appears in the sequel trilogy as a disembodied voice, speaking to protagonist Rey, and serving as the namesake of Ben Solo. He is frequently featured as a main character in various other Star Wars media, including the streaming television miniseries Obi-Wan Kenobi, in which McGregor reprised the role.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lucasfilm</span> American film and television production company

Lucasfilm Ltd. LLC is an American film and television production company founded by filmmaker George Lucas in 1971 in San Rafael, California, though most of the company's operations were moved to San Francisco in 2005. It has been a subsidiary of Walt Disney Studios since 2012 and is best known for creating and producing the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises, as well as its leadership in developing special effects, sound, and computer animation for films.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kathleen Kennedy (producer)</span> American film producer (born 1953)

Kathleen Kennedy is an American film producer and president of Lucasfilm. In 1981, she co-founded the production company Amblin Entertainment with Steven Spielberg and her eventual husband Frank Marshall.

The original Star Wars trilogy, formerly marketed as the Star Wars Trilogy, is the first set of three films produced in the Star Wars franchise, an American space opera created by George Lucas. It was produced by Lucasfilm and distributed by 20th Century Fox, and consists of Star Wars (1977), The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983). Beginning in medias res, the original trilogy serves as the second act of the nine-episode Skywalker saga. It was followed by a prequel trilogy between 1999 and 2005, and a sequel trilogy between 2015 and 2019. Collectively, they are referred to as the "Skywalker Saga" to distinguish them from spin-off films set within the same universe.

Doug Chiang is an American film designer and artist. He currently serves as vice president and executive creative director of Lucasfilm.

<i>Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy</i> 2004 documentary film by Kevin Burns

Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy is a 2004 documentary film directed by Kevin Burns and narrated by Robert Clotworthy. It documents the making of the original Star Wars trilogy: Star Wars (1977), The Empire Strikes Back (1980), and Return of the Jedi (1983), and their impact on popular culture.

The Star Wars sequel trilogy is the third trilogy of the main Star Wars franchise, an American space opera created by George Lucas. It is produced by Lucasfilm Ltd. and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. The trilogy consists of episodes VII through IX, chronologically following the prequel trilogy and the original trilogy, serving as the final act of the "Skywalker saga". Lucas had planned a sequel trilogy as early as 1976, but canceled it by 1981. He produced only the first six episodes, and for a time described these as comprising the complete story. The sequel trilogy concept was revived when the Walt Disney Company entered negotiations to acquire Lucasfilm in 2011. Lucas produced new story treatments, but these were largely discarded. Both the acquisition and plans to produce the trilogy were announced in late 2012.

<i>Star Wars</i> Celebration Fan gathering related to Star Wars

Star Wars Celebration is a large fan convention held to celebrate the Star Wars franchise. The event is usually held annually in varying locations around the world, and commonly features a host of Star Wars project announcements, panel discussions featuring actors, producers and writers, screenings, exhibits, cosplay and merchandise sales. It began in 1999, when Lucasfilm held the first Star Wars Celebration in Denver, Colorado to celebrate the upcoming release of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace.

<i>Star Wars: The Force Awakens</i> 2015 film by J. J. Abrams

Star Wars: The Force Awakens is a 2015 American epic space opera film co-produced, co-written, and directed by J. J. Abrams. The sequel to Return of the Jedi (1983), it is the seventh film in the "Skywalker Saga". Set thirty years after Return of the Jedi, The Force Awakens follows Rey, Finn, Poe Dameron, and Han Solo's search for Luke Skywalker and their fight in the Resistance, led by General Leia Organa and veterans of the Rebel Alliance, against Kylo Ren and the First Order, a successor to the Galactic Empire. The ensemble cast includes Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong'o, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Max von Sydow.

<i>Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker</i> 2019 film by J. J. Abrams

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is a 2019 American epic space opera film produced, co-written, and directed by J. J. Abrams. Produced by Lucasfilm and Abrams' production company Bad Robot Productions, and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, it is the third installment of the Star Wars sequel trilogy, following The Force Awakens (2015) and The Last Jedi (2017), and the final episode of the nine-part "Skywalker saga". Its ensemble cast includes Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Anthony Daniels, Naomi Ackie, Domhnall Gleeson, Richard E. Grant, Lupita Nyong'o, Keri Russell, Joonas Suotamo, Kelly Marie Tran, Ian McDiarmid, and Billy Dee Williams. Set one year after The Last Jedi, The Rise of Skywalker follows Rey, Finn, and Poe Dameron as they lead the Resistance's final stand against Supreme Leader Kylo Ren and the First Order, who are aided by the return of the Galactic Emperor, Palpatine.

Rey (<i>Star Wars</i>) Fictional character in Star Wars

Rey is a character in the Star Wars franchise and the main protagonist of the sequel film trilogy. She was created by Lawrence Kasdan, J. J. Abrams, and Michael Arndt for The Force Awakens (2015), the first installment of the trilogy, and is primarily portrayed by Daisy Ridley. She also appears in the film's sequels, The Last Jedi (2017) and The Rise of Skywalker (2019), and related Star Wars media.

<i>Obi-Wan Kenobi</i> (TV series) American television miniseries

Obi-Wan Kenobi is an American television miniseries created for the streaming service Disney+. It is part of the Star Wars franchise and stars Ewan McGregor as the title character, reprising his role from the Star Wars prequel trilogy. Set ten years after the events of Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005), the series follows Kenobi as he sets out to rescue the kidnapped Princess Leia from the Galactic Empire, leading to a confrontation with his former apprentice, Darth Vader.

Part I (<i>Obi-Wan Kenobi</i>) Episode of Obi-Wan Kenobi

"Part I" is the first episode of the American streaming television series Obi-Wan Kenobi, based on Star Wars created by George Lucas. It follows Obi-Wan Kenobi in a self-imposed exile on Tatooine a decade after the events of Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005) as he monitors Luke Skywalker on Tatooine to ensure his safety. It was written by Stuart Beattie, Hossein Amini, and Joby Harold and directed by Deborah Chow.

Part II (<i>Obi-Wan Kenobi</i>) Episode of Obi-Wan Kenobi

"Part II" is the second episode of the American streaming television series Obi-Wan Kenobi, based on Star Wars created by George Lucas. It follows Obi-Wan Kenobi as he attempts to rescue Leia Organa on the planet Daiyu. The episode is set in the Star Wars universe, occurring ten years after the film Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005). Its story was written by Stuart Beattie and Hossein Amini, and the teleplay was written by Joby Harold, while Deborah Chow directed the episode.

Part III (<i>Obi-Wan Kenobi</i>) Episode of Obi-Wan Kenobi

"Part III" is the third episode of the American streaming television series Obi-Wan Kenobi, based on Star Wars created by George Lucas. It follows Obi-Wan Kenobi and Leia Organa as they attempt to hide from the Inquisitors and Darth Vader. It is set in the Star Wars universe, occurring ten years after the film Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005). The episode was written by Joby Harold & Hannah Friedman and Hossein Amini and Stuart Beattie, while Deborah Chow directed the episode.

"Part IV" is the fourth episode of the American streaming television series Obi-Wan Kenobi. It follows Obi-Wan Kenobi as he collaborates with the Path network to rescue Princess Leia from the Fortress Inquisitorius. It is set in the Star Wars universe, occurring ten years after the film Revenge of the Sith (2005). The episode was written by Joby Harold & Hannah Friedman, and directed by Deborah Chow.

"Part V" is the fifth episode of the American streaming television series Obi-Wan Kenobi. It follows Obi-Wan Kenobi. It is set in the Star Wars universe, occurring ten years after the film Revenge of the Sith (2005). The episode was written by Joby Harold & Andrew Stanton, and directed by Deborah Chow.

Part VI (<i>Obi-Wan Kenobi</i>) Episode of Obi-Wan Kenobi

"Part VI" is the sixth episode and series finale of the American streaming television series Obi-Wan Kenobi. It follows Obi-Wan Kenobi. It is set in the Star Wars universe, occurring ten years after the film Revenge of the Sith (2005). The episode was written by Joby Harold, Andrew Stanton, Hossein Amini, and Stuart Beattie, and directed by Deborah Chow.

References

  1. 1 2 "Michelle Rejwan Joins the Lucasfilm Executive Team". Lucasfilm. June 17, 2019. Archived from the original on July 17, 2019. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 McNary, Dave (June 17, 2019). "Lucasfilm Hires 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' Producer Michelle Rejwan". Variety. Archived from the original on June 18, 2019. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
  3. 1 2 Couch, Aaron (June 17, 2019). "Lucasfilm Taps Michelle Rejwan as Senior VP Live Action Development and Production". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  4. 1 2 3 Sandell, Laurie (November 18, 2015). "How Michelle Rejwan Went from Assistant to 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Co-Producer". Marie Claire. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  5. CAA Arts Access (July 1, 2019). "Lucasfilm Hires Star Wars Producer Michelle Rejwan '08GS". Columbia University. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  6. "Michelle Rejwan • Lucasfilm". Lucasfilm. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  7. Couch, Aaron (February 9, 2022). "'Obi-Wan Kenobi' to Debut in May on Disney+". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  8. Weiss, Josh (July 8, 2022). "'Willow' producers not worried about fantasy competitors 'House of the Dragon' & 'Rings of Power'". Syfy. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  9. Weiss, Josh (July 7, 2022). "How 'Rogue One' prequel 'Andor' will span 5-year period across two Sarlacc-sized seasons". Syfy. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  10. Andreeva, Nellie (October 18, 2022). "Michelle Rejwan Steps Down As SVP At Lucasfilm, Returns To Producing With Overall Deal At Lucasfilm & Walt Disney Studios". Deadline. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  11. Perry, Spencer (October 19, 2022). "Lucasfilm Exec Steps Down Amid Stagnant Star Wars Movie Slate". Comic Book. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  12. "Disney+ Releases Photos From "Light & Magic" Star Wars Celebration Panel". Disney. May 26, 2022. Retrieved June 28, 2022.