Open Forum Friday: Who Should Direct the New Star Wars Movie?

Posted by on November 2nd, 2012   Filed under: Open Forum Friday

Let’s be honest, no one seems to be interested in discussing anything this week other than Disney’s purchase of Lucasfilm and the announcement of a new Star Wars movie. Fans continue to debate whether the news is ultimately a good thing, but I think most of us can at least agree that Star Wars was in dire need of some new blood and a different approach. The thought of a different director taking on the next movie is intriguing to say the least, but who would Disney trust with such a valuable property? More importantly, who would be willing to put their reputation on the line and take over one of the most beloved franchises of all time?

Some of the obvious choices being floated around the web include Steven Spielberg, Christopher Nolan and Joss Whedon, but it seems much more likely that they would hand it off to a talented newcomer (think Joseph Kosinski with Tron: Legacy). Sources are saying that the next movie will be an original story and that it will not draw from any of the existing Star Wars novels, which would obviously allow for some creative freedom, but many fans are calling for a straight up adaptation of Timothy Zahn’s Thrawn trilogy. What would you like to see in a new Star Wars movie? Are you disappointed that they might not adapt any of the novels? Who would you like to see direct Star Wars: Episode VII? Give us your thoughts here on Open Forum Friday.



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  • Essie

    Alfonso Cuaron

  • Jamie

    Quentin Tarantino.

  • David Valkenet

    So many people… though I’d say Tim and Eric to write, direct and star. Or maybe Roman Polanski. Or any of: Terrence Malick, Steve McQueen, Pedro Almodovar, Gaspar Noe, Woody Allen or Lars von Trier.

  • Spooksta

    People forget that Star Wars was a complete mess before it got a decent editor to save it. Most directors mentioned above will handle this well. Script and editing is key.

  • TheDude

    After some thought how about Danny Boyle? He always delivers the goods and has sci-fi experience.

  • JohnnyBlazed

    I think Spike Lee, Joseph Kahn or Jay Cheel would be great for this project.

  • T. Heilman

    Ha, ha! That’s easy, Alan Smithee!

  • That one is easy. This must be 3 consequtive director effort, that are true film fans and have some experience in it.
    That would be Jay Cheel, and the magnificient two from Half in the bag (from RedLetterMedia) – Mike and Jay.

    In all seriousness I might be intrigued in Rian Johnson.
    He showed in Looper that he can direct a story with minor and larger plot holes bluring them with intriguing characters and rumorish legend like backstory within the movie (the one about the crazy powerfull killer from the future who massacers Bums and Loopers).

  • Adam D.

    Brad Bird looks good to me.

  • Brad Montgomery

    Kevin Smith. I think he is a big enough Starwars nerd to know what it should feel like.

  • My vote’s for Woody Allen

  • James

    I would love to see a Woody Allen Star Wars!

  • Maopheus

    It depends on a lot of things. For example, is the director going to just direct the next movie, or all three? Do you want him to be the man, the overseer of everything, or simply the director? As was pointed out, the writing is far more important than overall direction. I think there are plenty of guys who are more than competent to handle the big-budget nature of the movies. That’s a given, there’s a lot of movies that in recent years have been just as big or bigger than the Episodes 1-3. It depends a lot, also, on the whole tone and aesthetic feel. Are you looking for someone to imprint their own style on the film, or to continue the Star Wars look and feel into a new generation? It makes a big difference. I think a lot of people are going off on “I want to see a David Fincher Star Wars, or something like that.” Rather, I think it’s more we want a Star Wars film directed by so-and-so. So I think you are looking for a guy who is not an absolute auteur-style director. In this case, Fincher is not the man. You’re looking for someone who obviously has the chops to handle the simple technical demands of the job, in addition to the creative. But you don’t want a guy whose style is so ingrained that you can’t separate the director from the movie. I don’t know that Brad Bird is the best candidate, but someone like him is a very good candidate. Because, basically, he tells entertaining stories, whether animated or live-action. Really, that’s the most important. I don’t think anyone can say what is Brad Bird movie, but that’s really not important. You need someone who can make the best Star Wars movie, not the best (name of director) movie.

  • Maopheus

    Actually the more I look at Bird, the more impressed I am with his resume. He ticks all the boxes, as the English say. He has TV experience, effects experience, animation, and live-action work. The industry certainly likes him. He’s 55 now, and if they lock him up for the next run of 3, which would likely be an almost year deal, (next one in 2015, then 2017/2018, then 2020/2021), he’d be 66 at the end. Interestingly enough, only 2 years younger than George Lucas is right now. It could be 2019 for the third one if they say they will do one every two years. I’d doubt he’d do the 3 after that, if they are going to do it.

  • Colin
  • Davey B

    Ridley Scott….

    Whoever suggested that is right, I just got a bit excited thinking about it!

  • Brittain

    As long as they don’t give it to that idiot Shyamalan.. He can ruin anything.
    I’d prefer someone like Joseph Kosinski, who’s name isn’t SO big.

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