Another day, another "Star Wars: Episode 7" nugget. Word around the sequel has been ranging from speculation to hard news (the latest being that Michael Arndt will be writing the screenplay, and that the movie is now in pre-production). But the biggest question facing fans right now is who is going to direct the next installment. Matthew Vaughn has been rumored, while Steven Spielberg, Quentin Tarantino and Zack Snyder all took themselves out of the running. Now, a couple more fan favorite helmers have weighed in on the prospect of taking on the universe created by George Lucas.
Already at the helm of one mega geek franchise, J.J. Abrams is well aware of the baggage that will come with 'Episode 7,' which seems to be the biggest disincentive from him taking it on (and we'd wager that's the case for many big name directors). “Look, 'Star Wars' is one of my favorite movies of all time,” he told HollywoodLife. “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 than anyone to the next iterations of 'Star Wars,' but I believe I will be going as a paying moviegoer!”
But he perhaps summed up what everyone is thinking about this by telling EW: “Part of me? Thrilled. Part of me? Terrified. Most of me? Thrillified.”
As for Favreau, he doesn't come right out and say he wouldn't direct, and seems curious about the direction this next series of movies will go. Moreover, he's already been part of the "Star Wars" franchise, having lent his voice to "Clone Wars," and has interviewed George Lucas at film festivals as well. And because of that he's "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.”
He also told EW: “The idea of another trilogy that further shrouds the Force in mystery as its secrets are lost to time – that’s extremely compelling. I want so bad for it to be good. Can you imagine?”
Abrams out, perhaps Favreau in? Thoughts? Let us know below.