Time for your daily “Star Wars 7” update. Since George Lucas’ involvement (or lack thereof) in the new “Star Wars” trilogy was confirmed, the internet has breathlessly speculated about who would take the reins of the franchise. With a quick succession of fanboy-favorite directors counting themselves out, a couple more rumored/wishlisted helmers have weighed in on the sequel.
While just yesterday Guillermo del Toro was talking about tackling two other franchises, it was inevitable that the “Pacific Rim” helmer would be asked about the famed space opera. Talking to Fanhattan (via Slashfilm), Del Toro downplayed any rumors of his involvement, saying “You know, I saw it on the Internet, but I haven’t approached them, they haven’t formally approached me. I mean, I heard some rumblings, but to me it’s really — I have so many projects to discuss or think about. [For] something that is not a possibility yet, I don’t do that. You know, because I have so many things that I need to catch up with."
To further drive the point home, the “Hellboy” director mused: "If this becomes ever a reality, and there’s an approach to do it, I would then think about it, but — it’s like thinking if I want to date a supermodel. I don’t think about these things."
Del Toro, however, isn’t the only director being asked about the new “Star Wars” trilogy. In an interview with the Swedish site Filmmixern, “Safety Not Guaranteed” helmer Colin Trevorrow — recently rumored for the gig — waxed on the importance of Lucas’ beloved franchise, saying that he’s “deeply aware of how profoundly important it is, to billions of people. It really is a mythology and possibly even a belief system for a lot of people.” And whereas previous rumored directors have hedged their bets and been diplomatic, Trevorrow was straightforward in saying “I can definitely say that I would absolutely love to direct a ‘Star Wars’ film at some point in my life. That would be incredible, I’m not daunted by it.”
And the indie director further added that whatever happens, the new films need “to feel consistent with the movies that came before it. [‘Star Wars 7’ would be] a sequel to ‘Return Of The Jedi,’ that’s a very specific world and a specific style of filmmaking and a presentation.” Trevorrow’s also looking to the future of the franchise, which looks very much like Disney’s plan, which would follow in Marvel’s footsteps and “take a universe that seemed unlimited and really prove that it’s unlimited.” He also recognizes that “they’re gonna be making ‘Star Wars’ films for the rest of our lives… I think that’s just an undeniable fact.”
All the fanboys caught up in the rumors of which A-List director will take the wheel should remember that while Lucas courted David Lynch for the first two sequels in the '80s, the jobs ended up going to the lesser-known Irvin Kershner and Richard Marquand. The series comes with a lot of baggage and expectations (something J.J. Abrams pointed out), which may make many top-tier helmers resistant. So an up-and-comer with something to prove seems far more likely. That said, with Oscar winner Michael Arndt writing the screenplay, it will certainly add a curiosity and quality factor to anyone kicking the tires on the project.
Meanwhile, file under Total Rumor & Possibly BS: British tabloid Express is reporting that the Mouse House is looking to bring back Darth Vader from the dead. If this were true, then it pretty much extinguishes any interest we have in the future of the franchise, but seeing as the source comes from the notoriously spotty British tabloids — remember Cher being courted to play Catwoman? — there’s probably nothing to worry about. Stay tuned, folks, 2015 is a long time from now.
