As broke today by several outlets, Colin Trevorrow and Lucasfilm have agreed to mutually parts ways which means Trevorrow will no longer be directing Star Wars Episode IX set to hit theaters in 2019. First off let me say it sucks to see someone get let go from a job especially when it's a job you've dreamed of having since you were a little kid\ and that's what this was for Trevorrow a "dream job." I honestly feel this is the right move for both parties for several reasons. One being that when Lucasfilm announced they were making new Star Wars films, books, games, comics, toys,etc., and announced that everything from the day Lucasfilm was purchased by Disney was going to be cannon they put themselves in a bind from day one and it really limits the creativity when everything is connected and eventhough you want to do something, it better fit the the universe currently being built or else it won't last. \
That philosophy right there is why Phil Lord and Chris Miller were let go of directing the Han Solo spin-off film and I'm afraid that's what has happened with Trevorrow, although it does seem that Lucasfilm and Trevorrow are going out on better terms than what they did with Lord and Miller. When he was announced as the director of Episode IX, I myself was a little hesitant and I think Lucasfilm got ahead of themselves, by announcing the director for Episode IX at the same time Rian Johnson was announced for Episode VIII. I feel had they waited until say this past spring at Celebration things would've worked out a little better for both parties. Colin Trevorrow is a fantastic director and if you've not seen Safety Not Guaranteed then go see it now and despite the big criticisms of Jurassic World, it was a tough task making a new Jurassic Park film after Steven Spielberg, but it made a lot of money and that right there is where Lucasfilm jumped the gun. They saw dollar signs with Trevorrow and they thought maybe he'll bring a lot of money into the Star Wars universe.
I'm sad to see Trevorrow go, but if it's in the best interest of the franchise then I have to end siding with Lucasfilm on this one wholeheartedly. With all of that out of the way, this news brings a lot of speculation on who will step up into the chair and I'm going to give my top 5 choice to replace Colin Trevorrow as director for Star Wars Episode IX...
5. Jon Favreau
This selection to me would be a perfect fit into the franchise. He's a fabulous director and actor and it's beacuse of him that we have the Marvel Cinematic Universe as he was the director of Iron Man the film that started it all. He's stated he is a massive fan of the franchise and at one time he was one of the front runners to direct Episode VII before J.J. Abrams was chosen and he has stated that he wouldn't mind working on a film in the franchise at some point. He would be higher on the list if it weren't for the fact that Episode IX is scheduled to start shooting in January 2018 at the same time Favreau will be working on his live-action adaptation of The Lion King which probably won't wrap on production until March or April 2018.
4. Steven Spielberg
Now some of you are rolling your eyes at this choice, but it's not as far-fetched as you would think. At one point Spielberg was supposed to direct Return of the Jedi and the fact that he and Kathleen Kennedy are really good friends and Kennedy was also the producer on the following Spielberg films... E.T., The Color Purple, Empire of the Sun, Hook, Jurassic Park, A.I. Artificial Intelligence, Munich, War of the Worlds, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn, War Horse and Lincoln and that's just the films where she was the main producer not counting the executive/associate producer. So the connection is there and people have often wanted to see the greatest directors of all-time tackle a film in the greatest franchise of all-time. The only thing that is hindering the deal is that Indiana Jones 5 is coming out in 2019 and Disney owns both franchises so if they want to move Indiana Jones 5 to 2020 and if Spielberg really wants to direct a Star Wars film then look for Spielberg to be in the chair by the end of the year, but I just think that he doesn't want to do it.
3. Rian Johnson
Why not bring back Episode VII director Rian Johnson. The film hasn't even come out yet and people are already wanting to see more from him in this franchise. He wrote the script for Episode VII and at one time he was writing the treatment for Episode IX so he already knows where the franchise is going. Plus you keep the continuity going with the cast and continue to build the relationships you've already made whilst working on Episode VIII. However while it does seem like a great idea there are a few problems with that. First off one of the great things about the original trilogy is that each film had their own separate director in George Lucas, Irvin Kershner and Richard Marquand and one of the biggest complaints off the prequels was that George Lucas directed all three of the films so bringing back Johnson for Episode VIII seems great in theory, but you're doing something that fans have already criticized on the past and you don't want to face the backlash. The second an main reason for this is that I think while Rian Johnson had a fun time on the film, these types of films can be emotionally draining and I think he would want to focus on a much smaller project like Looper or Brick before going back to a major blockbuster.
2. Brad Bird
Some of you have absolutely no idea who this guy is, but if I said the guy behind The Incredibles 1 & 2, Ratatouille and The Iron Giant, then you would know who I am talking about. Bird has been a lot fans dream director for a Star Wars film for a lot of reasons and one of those ways is how he brings emotion to big screen whilst also creating a fun adventure film for all to enjoy. He already has a working relationship working with Disney in the fact that he is one of Pixar's top directors and he even directed Tomorrowland for the studio as well so he has the connections much like Spielberg does with Kennedy. The only hesitation with Bird as the director is that he's only directed two live-action films both being the the aforementioned Tomorrowland and Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol and he's mainly been focused on animation so putting in a guy as green as him behind a Star Wars film is a big risk, however on the flip side of the risk, all of his films outside of Tomorrowland all have ratings of 93% or higher on rottentomatoes.com so the critics really love him and that could be a driving force behind him landing this job.
1. Denis Villeneuve
That's right folks, I'm on the bandwagon of Villeneuve and I think he is the perfect choice to direct a Star Wars film. Since coming out with Prisoners back in 2013, Villeneuve has been on a complete tear when it comes to his filmmaking. Since then he has directed Enemy, Sicario and Arrival with the latter being nominated for Best Picture earlier this year at the 89th Oscars. He is currently doing promotion for Blade Runner 2049 which is a film I am looking forward to mainly because of Villeneuve. This will be his second sci-fi film in a row and while Star Wars isn't a sci-fi film (it's a space opera) I think his visual storytelling will lend perfectly to this franchise. He much like Brad Bird is a director who critics and audiences both love and to see a guy like Villeneuve cap off his amazing run with a Star Wars film would honestly be a great notch on your belt when going down as one of the greatest directors of all-time. The one thing holding him back is his desire to direct the remake of Dune which is a passion project of his. However if Lucasfilm comes calling you have to expect he will at least listen to their offer and maybe he can hold off directing Dune for at least one more film. If he agrees to that, then look for this new trilogy to be capped off in style.
So ladies and gentlemen with that being said who do you want to see take over the director's chair for Star Wars Episode IX and what are your thoughts on Trevorrow being let go from the project? Let me know in the comments section below and let your voice be heard.
Jonah Sparks
That philosophy right there is why Phil Lord and Chris Miller were let go of directing the Han Solo spin-off film and I'm afraid that's what has happened with Trevorrow, although it does seem that Lucasfilm and Trevorrow are going out on better terms than what they did with Lord and Miller. When he was announced as the director of Episode IX, I myself was a little hesitant and I think Lucasfilm got ahead of themselves, by announcing the director for Episode IX at the same time Rian Johnson was announced for Episode VIII. I feel had they waited until say this past spring at Celebration things would've worked out a little better for both parties. Colin Trevorrow is a fantastic director and if you've not seen Safety Not Guaranteed then go see it now and despite the big criticisms of Jurassic World, it was a tough task making a new Jurassic Park film after Steven Spielberg, but it made a lot of money and that right there is where Lucasfilm jumped the gun. They saw dollar signs with Trevorrow and they thought maybe he'll bring a lot of money into the Star Wars universe.
I'm sad to see Trevorrow go, but if it's in the best interest of the franchise then I have to end siding with Lucasfilm on this one wholeheartedly. With all of that out of the way, this news brings a lot of speculation on who will step up into the chair and I'm going to give my top 5 choice to replace Colin Trevorrow as director for Star Wars Episode IX...
5. Jon Favreau
This selection to me would be a perfect fit into the franchise. He's a fabulous director and actor and it's beacuse of him that we have the Marvel Cinematic Universe as he was the director of Iron Man the film that started it all. He's stated he is a massive fan of the franchise and at one time he was one of the front runners to direct Episode VII before J.J. Abrams was chosen and he has stated that he wouldn't mind working on a film in the franchise at some point. He would be higher on the list if it weren't for the fact that Episode IX is scheduled to start shooting in January 2018 at the same time Favreau will be working on his live-action adaptation of The Lion King which probably won't wrap on production until March or April 2018.
4. Steven Spielberg
Now some of you are rolling your eyes at this choice, but it's not as far-fetched as you would think. At one point Spielberg was supposed to direct Return of the Jedi and the fact that he and Kathleen Kennedy are really good friends and Kennedy was also the producer on the following Spielberg films... E.T., The Color Purple, Empire of the Sun, Hook, Jurassic Park, A.I. Artificial Intelligence, Munich, War of the Worlds, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn, War Horse and Lincoln and that's just the films where she was the main producer not counting the executive/associate producer. So the connection is there and people have often wanted to see the greatest directors of all-time tackle a film in the greatest franchise of all-time. The only thing that is hindering the deal is that Indiana Jones 5 is coming out in 2019 and Disney owns both franchises so if they want to move Indiana Jones 5 to 2020 and if Spielberg really wants to direct a Star Wars film then look for Spielberg to be in the chair by the end of the year, but I just think that he doesn't want to do it.
3. Rian Johnson
Why not bring back Episode VII director Rian Johnson. The film hasn't even come out yet and people are already wanting to see more from him in this franchise. He wrote the script for Episode VII and at one time he was writing the treatment for Episode IX so he already knows where the franchise is going. Plus you keep the continuity going with the cast and continue to build the relationships you've already made whilst working on Episode VIII. However while it does seem like a great idea there are a few problems with that. First off one of the great things about the original trilogy is that each film had their own separate director in George Lucas, Irvin Kershner and Richard Marquand and one of the biggest complaints off the prequels was that George Lucas directed all three of the films so bringing back Johnson for Episode VIII seems great in theory, but you're doing something that fans have already criticized on the past and you don't want to face the backlash. The second an main reason for this is that I think while Rian Johnson had a fun time on the film, these types of films can be emotionally draining and I think he would want to focus on a much smaller project like Looper or Brick before going back to a major blockbuster.
2. Brad Bird
Some of you have absolutely no idea who this guy is, but if I said the guy behind The Incredibles 1 & 2, Ratatouille and The Iron Giant, then you would know who I am talking about. Bird has been a lot fans dream director for a Star Wars film for a lot of reasons and one of those ways is how he brings emotion to big screen whilst also creating a fun adventure film for all to enjoy. He already has a working relationship working with Disney in the fact that he is one of Pixar's top directors and he even directed Tomorrowland for the studio as well so he has the connections much like Spielberg does with Kennedy. The only hesitation with Bird as the director is that he's only directed two live-action films both being the the aforementioned Tomorrowland and Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol and he's mainly been focused on animation so putting in a guy as green as him behind a Star Wars film is a big risk, however on the flip side of the risk, all of his films outside of Tomorrowland all have ratings of 93% or higher on rottentomatoes.com so the critics really love him and that could be a driving force behind him landing this job.
1. Denis Villeneuve
That's right folks, I'm on the bandwagon of Villeneuve and I think he is the perfect choice to direct a Star Wars film. Since coming out with Prisoners back in 2013, Villeneuve has been on a complete tear when it comes to his filmmaking. Since then he has directed Enemy, Sicario and Arrival with the latter being nominated for Best Picture earlier this year at the 89th Oscars. He is currently doing promotion for Blade Runner 2049 which is a film I am looking forward to mainly because of Villeneuve. This will be his second sci-fi film in a row and while Star Wars isn't a sci-fi film (it's a space opera) I think his visual storytelling will lend perfectly to this franchise. He much like Brad Bird is a director who critics and audiences both love and to see a guy like Villeneuve cap off his amazing run with a Star Wars film would honestly be a great notch on your belt when going down as one of the greatest directors of all-time. The one thing holding him back is his desire to direct the remake of Dune which is a passion project of his. However if Lucasfilm comes calling you have to expect he will at least listen to their offer and maybe he can hold off directing Dune for at least one more film. If he agrees to that, then look for this new trilogy to be capped off in style.
So ladies and gentlemen with that being said who do you want to see take over the director's chair for Star Wars Episode IX and what are your thoughts on Trevorrow being let go from the project? Let me know in the comments section below and let your voice be heard.
Jonah Sparks
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