Since yesterday, we've heard comments from a few directors saying that they're not interested in directing the recently announced
Star Wars: Episode VII.
Man Of Steel's Zack Snyder,
Raiders Of The Lost Ark's Steven Spielberg (who was said to be one of three directors to be sent writer Michael Ardnt's story treatment for the sequel), and
Django Unchained's Quentin Tarantino all denied interest in helming a
Star Wars movie. Now, you can add another name to the list.
Hollywood Life recently spoke with directors Jon Favreau (
Iron Man 1+2,
Cowboys & Aliens) and J.J. Abrams (
Super 8,
Star Trek) about these rumors, and if either of them would be interested in helming the project. Abrams was also sent Ardnt's story treatment, as well as
Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol's Brad Bird.
"Look, Star Wars is one of my favorite movies of all time," said Abrams.
"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!"
Favreau, however, sounds a little more interested in directing a
Star Wars movie.
"I think both J.J. and I come from a generation of people who formed our whole creative persona around what we experienced as kids from watching those films, and I have had the good fortune of working with George [Lucas] and around George, and whether it is doing a voice on Clone Wars, or being at the Skywalker Ranch mixing Iron Man – so I have been very happy and lucky to just experience the culture that Lucas has created, both in my own life growing up as a kid and professional – whether it was interviewing him at film festivals on stage, he is just a really wonderful, talented gifted guy who has changed the business so much, so I am 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."
Who do you want to direct
Star Wars: Episode VII? The film is targeting a 2015 release.