Watchmen Creator Damon Lindelof "Was Asked To Leave The Star Wars Universe"

Damon Lindelof, creator of The Leftovers and Watchmen on HBO, used to be one of writers on the screenplay for the upcoming Star Wars film that focuses on Rey's Jedi academy after the the events of the new trilogy. Now he isn't.

"I joined the ‘Star Wars’ universe, and was asked to leave the Star Wars universe," Lindelof quipped in a video interview on Esquire. But he wanted to be clear that he's not holding a grudge about it.

"Will I get back in line outside the club and try to get back in again? Absolutely."

The Rey movie, which was announced at Star Wars Celebration earlier this month, will be directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy from a screenplay by Steven Knight, creator of TV series like Peaky Blinders and Taboo, and writer and director on the Tom Hardy film Locke.

Despite basically being fired from this gig, Lindelof said he'd be happy to take another crack at a Star Wars project in the future.

"This movie was the alpha and the omega," he said, referring to the original Star Wars film. "It was the first movie I saw in a movie theater. I love all the storytelling in that world. And if at first you don’t succeed, try and try again. Or again again try, as Yoda would say."

Last week, Lindelof told Variety that his scrapped screenplay, written with Justin Britt-Gibson, was a "labor of love."

"I wish them all the best of luck. Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy is an incredible director, and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with."

Photo Credit:Unique Nicole/Stringer