David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, who were supposed to produce a new saga set to launch in 2022 for the George Lucas-created franchise, decide to exit 'Star Wars' to focus on their Netflix projects.

• Oct 29, 2019

AceShowbiz - Disney and Lucasfilm are facing a setback in the development of a planned new "Star Wars" trilogy. "Game of Thrones" creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, who were tapped to usher in the post-Skywalkera era of the George Lucas-created franchise set to launch in 2022, have walked away from the deal, citing their packed schedule.

"We love 'Star Wars'," Benioff and Weiss say in a statement released on Monday, October 28. "When George Lucas built it, he built us too. Getting to talk about 'Star Wars' with him and the current 'Star Wars' team was the thrill of a lifetime, and we will always be indebted to the saga that changed everything. But there are only so many hours in the day, and we felt we could not do justice to both 'Star Wars' and our Netflix projects. So we are regretfully stepping away."

Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy has also released a statement addressing the writer duo's withdrawal. "David Benioff and Dan Weiss are incredible storytellers. We hope to include them in the journey forward when they are able to step away from their busy schedule to focus on 'Star Wars'," she says, hinting that the exit is amicable.

Disney and Lucasfilm announced in February 2018 that Benioff and Weiss would write and produce a new series of films, which will be separate from the trilogy that "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" director Rian Johnson is developing, and will also stand alone from the Skywalker saga which includes "The Last Jedi" released last December and the upcoming "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" from J.J. Abrams.

Later in August of this year, the "Game of Thrones" creators signed a five-year, $250 million overall deal with Netflix.

Meanwhile, Disney announced last month that Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige would develop a new "Star Wars" movie.