Genre film studios have been having a turbulent time of late;Â Warner Bros. and DC Films seems to be all over the map, what with another Joker film in the works and the very real, daunting possibility that Ben Affleck is leaving the Batman role (he will, it’s just a matter of when). Yet, things are starting to look equally dire over at Lucasfilm, the gatekeepers of the expanding “Star Wars” films. It’s no big secret Tony Gilroy directed the reshoots of “Rogue One” and supervised the post-production when Gareth Edwards lost his way, “The LEGO Movie,” directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller were recently fired from the untiled Han Solo spin-off film, and this week, “Jurassic World” helmer Colin Trevorrow parted way with Lucasfilm, allegedly over “Star Wars: Episode XI” script differences. But trade reports suggest that Lucasfilm doyenne Kathleen Kennedy and Trevorrow soured in recent months which sounds like a bit of a trend, perhaps the veteran producer’s grip is becoming a little too tight for comfort. And/or, she’s got a precise idea for what a “Star Wars” movie should be and isn’t landing on the same page with her directors.
READ MORE: Colin Trevorrow Exits ‘Star Wars: Episode IX’
Whatever the case, “Star Wars: Episode IX,” the final chapter in the new “Star Wars” trilogy is on the hunt for a new director to take the lead and prepare it for a May, 2019 release. Â Here’s who we think could take over the movie, but be advised, it’s part wish list, and part practical thinking: trying to step into Kennedy’s shoes and think who she might hire.
Rian Johnson
Obviously, Johnson is rumored to be Lucasfilm’s top choice to direct ‘Episode IX,’ and it makes a lot of sense: Johnson, like J.J. Abrams appears to be one of the few filmmakers that hasn’t been met with Kathleen Kennedy’s wrath. By all accounts, Johnson’s made some bold choices with the story and not only has she been cool with them, but incredibly supportive. It appears the Lucasfilm president and the rest of the company are very happy with “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” and if they weren’t, perhaps Johnson would be dusting off his resume. Johnson could easily take on the role, but it’s a matter if he wants it or not. He’s suggested in the past through Twitter that he’d be totally game to take on another “Star Wars” film, but who knows who he feels after a two-year grueling production that has consumed his life. Â If he doesn’t direct it, some choices include…
READ MORE: Rian Johnson Leads Shortlist To Direct ‘Star Wars: Episode IX’
Michelle MacLaren You might have never heard of two time Emmy and PGA winner Michelle MacLaren and, yet, she’s a TV directing veteran: “The X-Files,” “Breaking Bad,” The Walking Dead,” “Westworld,” “Better Call Saul,” “Modern Family,” and “Game of Thrones.” Her resume is spotless, but so is her experience with top-notch action and visual effects. She was originally supposed to direct “Wonder Woman” before Patty Jenkins took over, but left due to creative differences. As it stands, she’s never made a theatrical movie, but it seems like she’s ready to make the jump at any moment. Up next for MacLaren is HBO’s already critically-acclaimed series “The Deuce.” Frankly, she feels like the best, most obvious choice if Johnson passes. Lucasfilm has already been accused of being a boys club and has felt the pressure to diversify their filmmakers. McLaren is a total no-nonsense pro providing the stability that Kennedy is clearly seeking, plus, obviously she’s female. Narratively she feels like the perfect choice. It’s likely just a matter what Johnson does though.
Ryan CooglerÂ
We don’t know if Ryan Coogler’s “The Black Panther” will turn out to be as great of a studio picture as “Creed,” but we’re also sure Disney has seen a few rough cuts of the movie and, if impressed, Â might want to give the 31-year-old writer-director a well-deserved shot at Trevorrow’s now vacant spot. It all depends on how he manages the action sequences in “The Black Panther,” but we were astonished by his reinvention of the boxing match in “Creed.” Though there’s also one tricky part. He’ll be working on ‘Black Panther,’ up until February and ‘Episode IX’ wants to shoot in early 2018. Plus, how’s he going to have time for months of pre-production?
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Guillermo Del Toro
Guillermo Del Toro is about to have a very busy awards season schedule with the release of his festival favorite “
The Shape of Water.” We all know Del Toro is a master of visuals, sci-fi and storytelling, which fits right into the soulful core of “Star Wars.” There’s also the fact that he is a major Star Wars fan. He even had meetings with
Kathleen Kennedy and is
reportedly talking withÂ
Disney to direct a
Jabba the Hut spinoff movie which he said would be a gangster movie ala “
The Godfather.” He’s a master of visual effects and this would be as dreamy a partnership as any fanboy can expect in this day and age. One problem would likely be “The Shape Of Water” itself — he’s got a busy few months of promotion ahead of him and will have little to no time for all-consuming pre-production.
Kathryn Bigelow
You want great action? How about hiring Kathryn Bigelow, who might just be the best action director in the business. Her incredibly controlled direction in “
The Hurt Locker” changed the way we saw action films and reinvented the possibilities for the new century. Not to mention she’s responsible for the taut, tense and terrific  sequences that are in “
Point Break, “
Near Dark” and “
Strange Days.” It’s not surprising that Bigelow was the first woman awarded the Best Director Oscar. Hiring her for ‘Episode IX’ would not only bring social (media) plaudits, but also an art-house allure to the biggest blockbuster franchise in the world. Oh, and Bigelow just directed
John Boyega this past summer in “
Detroit.” The problem? Bigelow develops her own fact-based, journalistic-styled movies and likely isn’t interested.
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