With “The Avengers” earning $1 billion and change, Joss Whedon has unofficially become the guru of how to take a franchise property, and turn it into a mega smash hit that does the rare trifecta of pleasing fanboys, audiences and critics all at once. And so course, he gets asked about what he would do given the chance the helm to “Star Wars: Episode 7,” a gig he revealed earlier this year is certainly something he would have loved to take on. And the folks at Disney (who own Marvel, fyi) might not like to hear what he has to say.
“You know, I wouldn’t go back, I’d go forward. I would want to create characters that would resonate the way that they did,” he told Digital Spy, adding: “I would want to explore a very different part of that universe.”
His thoughts echo our own, when we offered our advice around the time that rumors were floating about standalone films centering on a young Han Solo, Boba Fett and Yoda. And with the sequels largely expected to revolve around the children of Luke, Han and Leia — with Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher all pretty much set to appear as well — perhaps Whedon never had a fighting chance at the job anyway. Remember, Disney views “Star Wars” as a major licensing opportunity and we wouldn’t be surprised if the focus on the central trio of characters continued past ‘Episode VII.’
So is Whedon right? Is there a big galaxy out there worth exploring instead? Or do you have faith in J.J. Abrams and Michael Arndt to do right by the series and the beloved classic characters? Let us know below.
