With George Lucas Out of the Picture, Who Will Direct ‘STAR WARS’ EPISODE VII?

I’m actually quite shocked it has taken me as long as it has to write an article regarding the possible future of the Star Wars franchise.  Close friends of mine know how big of a Star Wars geek I am and have even heard some of my excuses for the recent prequels (granted, not everything in those films is excusable).  At the same time, I’m still trying to gather my thoughts and restrain my excitement regarding Disney’s recent purchase of the franchise.  Keep in mind, this business deal includes everything Lucasfilms Ltd. had the rights to which means the Indiana Jones property is now a Disney title as well; everyone fails to talk about.  But the real announcement that has the internet – fans and haters alike – buzzing is that ‘Episode VII’ will officially be released sometime in 2015!  Since the announcement late Tuesday afternoon, no details have been revealed regarding the story even though bloggers have speculated wildly about it, but a couple of things have been cleared up.  Let’s start with what we know NOW.

– E! Online has heard that it will in fact be “an original story” that will dictate the events of the coming films.  So those hoping to see The Truce at Bakura, Dark Empire, or The Thrawn Trilogy, will have to come to terms that those won’t be heading to the big screen any time soon.

– While most of us suspected this previously, it now sounds like George Lucas officially won’t be directing but will serve as a “creative consultant.” Actor Mark Hamill, who many know as Luke Skywalker, spoke to Entertainment Weekly and explained that Lucas told him and Carrie Fisher over a year ago that the new trilogy will be moving forward after years of rumors.  He then adds when questioned about any other possible info,

“[Lucas] was just talking about writers and the fact that he wouldn’t be directing.”

-Speaking of writers . . . the final bit of info comes from The Wrap who spoke with Dale Pollock, writer of Skywalking: The Life and Films of George Lucas. He claims Lucas gave him access to the outlines for his planned 12-part Star Wars saga story.  He tells The Wrap,

“It was originally a 12-part saga. The three most exciting stories were 7, 8 and 9. They had propulsive action, really interesting new worlds, new characters. I remember thinking, ‘I want to see these three movies.'”

Part of the deal that Disney made includes the proposed outlines Lucas previously wrote out.  Nothing  has been said though to what extent the new films will follow this.

That pretty much wraps up two and a half long and exciting days of Star Wars news.  Granted, there have been countless of rumor articles.  And while some may see this article as one of those as well, my goal here is to contemplate the REAL possibilities of who may be heading to the director’s chair to replace George Lucas on Episode VII.  It’s not realistic to think that Christopher Nolan or James Cameron could be possible contenders for the franchise.  Many have been throwing these names around with the likes of Duncan Jones and Rian Johnson even though it is damn near impossible for those two big names to be announced.  Since Cameron is deep into his own Avatar mythology and Nolan doesn’t seem to want to tackle any other genre series right now, I’m not even going to throw their names in below even though the thought would appease some fanboys.  In regards to Jones and Johnson, I honestly believe the two of them both like the idea of developing their own ideas and not contributing to an already established universe.  What I have composed is a REALISTIC list of who might spearhead the new series and why Disney would be interested in them.  Let’s see who may have the force in 2015.

 

Joe Johnston

My personal top choice for this effort is Joe Johnston. Not only did he work on the original trilogy (he served as a visual effects art director on both The Empire Strikes Back and Return Of The Jedi and helped design Boba Fett amongst hundreds of other notable characters) but he’s a terrific commercial helmer. Disney is already familiar with his work since he directed The Rocketeer for them and the Marvel film Captain America: The First Avenger (which Disney now owns Marvel as well).  Johnston is a strong and seasoned hand with a history of working with iconic characters and contributing to another existing series (Jurassic Park III).  I can only think of one person who would be a better fit to get the new trilogy off and running.  And that person is . . .

 

Genndy Tartakovsky

The brain and artist that started the highly acclaimed Clone Wars TV mini-series.  His initial short series went on to be the basis for the popular Clone Wars computer-animated series that is currently now airing its fifth season.  It goes without saying that Tartakovsky knows this universe better than anyone else.  Well . . . maybe George knows a thing or two more.  If someone had told me fifteen years ago that an animated “kids” show was going to have five entertaining and successful seasons and do a better job than three live-action films directed by the man behind the original film I would have said you are nuts.  Other directors have gone on and carried the show over the years in the style Tartakovsky initially set-up for the show.  However, he will always be the one remembered for paving the way and igniting a series that outshines the prequels.  As evidence in Brad Bird directing Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol after only directing animated films, Disney could take a gamble and let Tartkovsky direct his first live action feature especially after the commercial success he achieved from the recent animated blockbuster he directed: Hotel Transylvania.

 

 

Dave Filoni

The man has directed 34 of the most recent Clone Wars TV show episodes since joining the show in 2006.  He was a hired gun that proved himself and has since gone on to direct more episodes that anyone else in the series!  Around the third season is when the show really started taking on some darker story lines which have spawned even more adult fans than kids.  Previous projects for Filoni include working on the Avatar: The Last Airbender TV show and Mission Hill.  As I stated with Tartakovsky, Disney could take another chance as they did with Wall-E and Toy Story director Andrew Stanton.  Although Stanton’s live-action feature John Carter is considered by many to be a huge commercial failure for Disney, the film is making up some ground on its DVD/Blu-ray release and shows Disney isn’t afraid of taking chances on young talent with a past in character driven animation.

 

 

Brad Bird

If there was ever proof to let a director with little experience take over a big-budget, effects heavy, action-packed series, than it would be Brad Bird.  I wasn’t as crazy about M:I – Ghost Protocol as most fans and critics were, but I still acknowledge that Bird handled the directing duties extremely well given the mediocre script.  Bird is at the top of many people’s list of who they think and want to tackle the new Star Wars films.  I don’t doubt that he would be a great choice.  His sense of scope and talent for creating some thrilling sequences is evident in his animated work for Pixar (again . . . now owned by Disney) and last year’s hit film.  Outside of a mystery project entitled 1906 which he’s attached to write and direct – which doesn’t even have a year listed for release – Bird is open for business and could have the time for a big project like this for the next few years.  He very well could be on Disney’s short list of proposed directors.

 

 

Jon Turtletaub

A Disney veteran who made a modest name for himself with the profitable National Treasure films and the not as profitable Sorcerers Apprentice film, Turtletaub is someone who may be in the running simply because Disney clearly likes the guy.  He essentially started their own version of Indiana Jones with the Nic Cage National Treasure films which have both made a fair chunk of change for Disney.  Experience and familiarity could win out in this competition since Disney has such a long history with him going back to the 1992 film Cool Runnings.  That was twenty years ago!  This may not seem to be the most exciting choice in the world for Star Wars fans.  Yet, he may end up being the wild card Disney has in their deck that could surprise fans if he is able to work with a solid story.

 

 

Gore Verbinski

Say what you will about the quality of the Pirates of the Caribbean films, one thing you cannot deny is the power they have had over the box-office and the general public.  Whether it is the popularity of Depp, the huge scale brought to each of the films, or a combination of both, the films have done exceptionally well for Disney and this was all under the man Gore Verbinski.  Sure, Jerry Bruckheimer had a lot to do with that as well, but Disney must have recognized Verbinski’s talent as they have brought him along to start up another potential series for the company with next year’s Lone Ranger. Depending how that film turns out, we may be seeing many more collaborations with this director and Disney.  I love the initial Pirates film and adore the imagination put into the criminally under-seen Rango.  Not to mention for horror fans, he gave us the American remake of The Ring.  It would be happy news for me if he ends up getting the job.

 

Other possibilities that might be in the running:

Joseph Kosinski (Tron: Legacy)

Sam Raimi (Evil Dead, Spider-Man, Oz: The Great and Powerful)

Rupert Wyatt (Rise of the Planet of the Apes)

Gavin Bocquet (production designer on all three prequels and worked on Return of the Jedi)

 

Keep in mind, this is all speculation but I hope that I gave some reasoning and sense to who and why I suspect may be up for the job.  Please chime in and list your guesses in the comments below.  I’m sure Star Wars fans will continue to obsess over what story the coming films will follow and who will be directing as the next couple of months go by.  My only hope is that we will get more info sooner than later.  Until more info is released . . . May the force be with you.