Summary
Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Denis Villeneuve has taken the world by storm with his movies, but recently, the director stunned everyone by saying that he has no plans to direct or write aStar Warsmovie, despite his love for sci-fi.
Villeneuve has been a force to be reckoned with since he began his filmmaking career in 1998. The Canadian filmmaker received critical acclaim for his films such asIncendies, Prisoners, Sicario, Arrival,and more. However, in 2021, he received universal recognition for his movieDune, which masterfully adapted Frank Herbert’s epic novel, earning widespread praise for its epic storytelling. He continued his golden run withDune: Part Two, which is poised to win several accolades during this year’s awards season. On several occasions, the director has said thatStar Warsplayed a significant role in shaping his love for the movies. AlthoughStar Warsholds a special place in his heart, the director has made it clear that he won’t directStar Warsfor a very personal reason.
While making an appearance onThe Townpodcast, theBlade Runner 2049helmer didn’t shy away from saying how much he adored the sci-fi franchise when it came out. However, he admitted that, in his perspective, the franchise started losing some of its magic in 1983. During the conversation, Villeneuve noted that he lovedThe Empire Strikes Backwhen it was released, but things “derailed” with The Return of the Jedi. “I mean,The Empire Strikes Backis the movie that I anticipated the most in my life. I saw the movie a billion times on screen, I was traumatized by The Empire Strikes Back. I adore Star Wars, the problem is thatit all derailed in 1983 withReturn of the Jedi… I was 15 years old, my best friend and I wanted to take a cab, go to LA and talk to George Lucas.” On the other hand, he didn’t shy away from saying how he and his friends got angry with the makers after watching some of theStar Warsprojects. He added, “We were so angry. Still today, the Ewoks…it turned out to be a comedy for kids.”
As a result, Villeneuve decided not to tackle anyStar Warsprojects in his career and seemingly told fans that he wouldn’t be making a Star Wars movie in the future. “So I’m not dreaming to do aStar Wars, the code is very codified,” Villeneuve said. It is worth noting that this isn’t the first time the filmmaker has said something similar for the franchise that is loved by millions of fans. In an interview with The Playlist in October 2021, the filmmaker stated that the series took a direction he never expected it to go. AlthoughStar Warsis one of the biggest franchises of all time, even some of its ardent fans have occasionally criticized its titles for lacking seriousness. Villeneuve is no stranger to franchises with deep lore, having skillfully navigated the complexities ofBlade Runner 2049andDune. However, he has expressed that he findsStar Warsfar more restrictive compared toDune. For Villeneuve,theDuneuniverse offers a vast playground for creativity, allowing him to explore profound themes and intricate storytelling. In contrast, he feelsStar Warsis bound by its legacy and predefined expectations, limiting the freedom for filmmakers to truly innovate.
That’s one of the main reasons why the celebrated filmmaker has chosen to steer clear of theStar Warsseries despite his love for the franchise and science fiction. He has always been inclined towards stories that will allow him to tell bold and expansive storytelling because that aligns with his artistic vision and passion for exploring complex, thought-provoking narratives. But it won’t come as a shock if Villeneuve decides to join the galaxy far, far away in the future. As of now, he is busy completing theDunetrilogy.
