With Star Wars: Episode VII now in pre-production, and Michael Arndt penning the screenplay, the gears are really starting to turn on the film and the next logical step is finding a director. Many names have been tossed around, and many directors have already taken themselves out of the running. We know that Steven Spielberg, Quentin Tarantino and Zack Snyder have all stated that they won’t be directing and now we can add another name to the list of directors who won’t be helming the film: J.J. Abrams.
In a recent interview, Abrams said that while Star Wars is one of his favorite films, he just doesn’t want the responsibility of carrying on a franchise as iconic as this one.
“Look, ‘Star Wars’ is one of my favorite movies of all time,” he told HollywoodLife. “I frankly feel that – I almost feel that, in a weird way, the opportunity for whomever it is to direct that movie, it comes with the burden of being that kind of iconic movie and series. I was never a big ‘Star Trek’ fan growing up, so for me, working on ‘Star Trek’ didn’t have any of that, you know, almost fatal sacrilege, and so, I am looking forward more then anyone to the next iterations of ‘Star Wars,’ but I believe I will be going as a paying moviegoer!”
Now, one director who may be thinking of putting himself in the running is Jon Favreau, who didn’t necessarily say he’d want to direct but did express interest in the film and in where it will take the series. Check out what he told EW below.
“I’m just giddy, first and foremost as a fan, to see what happens with it. I think there is a lot of question marks of how they are going to do it, and who they are going to do it with, and what the story is going to be about; but to say that I am not excited about it is definitely an understatement. We’ll see. The idea of another trilogy that further shrouds the Force in mystery as its secrets are lost to time – that’s extremely compelling. I want so bad for it to be good. Can you imagine?”
So, where to begin? Well, I must agree with Abrams. Taking on Star Wars is a daunting task and to be the person in the director’s seat on Star Wars: Episode VII takes a lot of courage. Plus, considering the fact that he’s already at the helm of the current Star Trek series, I don’t think he’d be able to take on Star Wars as well. Logistically I think it would be a nightmare and I’m not sure how fans would react either.
As for Favreau, I’m not a fan of his, at all. I don’t think he should be going anywhere near Star Wars: Episode VII. Luckily, he didn’t exactly say he wants to direct it but it sounds like he’s pretty interested and will probably throw his name in the hat. Let’s just hope that Disney knows better than to choose him.
What do you think though? Who would you like to see direct Star Wars: Episode VII?