STAR WARS: EPISODE VII Directors; 5 Suggestions for Who Should Direct STAR WARS: EPISODE VII

It was bound to happen some day. Star Wars: Episode VII is becoming a reality now that Disney has purchased LucasFilm, and set a release date for 2015. George Lucas has gracefully bowed out of the director’s chair, and given the reigns over to producer Kathleen Kennedy, although it remains to be seen how much influence he’ll have over future Star Wars films.

But since the director’s chair is open and we all love pretending we’re Hollywood executive, let’s play Suggest! That! Director! This is the fun part since we have no idea what the story will be and who would be appropriate for that story. However, we do have a vibe of what a Star Wars movie is, or at least what a Star Wars movie should be (i.e., the originals, not the prequels). So who’s the right director to make a worthy successor to the original movies? Hit the jump for my suggestions.

A note before my suggestions:

Every major filmmaker knows Star Wars, and a large percentage carry its impact to this day. They haven’t just seen the movies. They’ve taken them into their DNA. It’s part of their existence. And yet, these filmmakers have come to their own styles. I love the films of Guillermo Del Toro, Edgar Wright, and others, but I want to see them handle their own material. I’m more excited for Pacific Rim than I am for The Haunted Mansion, even though I’m sure Del Toro will do a great job with both. I’m keen to see Ant-Man, but I’m more eager to see The World’s End. Here’s the question you have to ask: would I rather see a director I admire do an original project, or take time to do Star Wars?

As for other obvious fan-favorites: I’m sure Joss Whedon would deliver a memorable movie, I’m not sure how I’d feel about droids spouting Whedonesque dialogue (I think his take on The Avengers works because the Marvel movies have been so flexible in their styles). Also, Steven Spielberg has said he’s done with action movies, and I think after Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, he’s content to keep his hands off George Lucas’ stuff.

The best people I see for the job are the ones who can adapt to any genre, but they’re more than journeymen. They know how to move across genres and have the talent to deliver something memorable if paired with a solid script. Furthermore, each of these directors has delivered successful blockbusters in the past, so the studio would likely be comfortable with them handling the technical demands Episode VII will likely require (otherwise Rian Johnson, Cary Fukunaga, and a few other directors would have easily made this list). While Disney has stated that they’re planning a new trilogy, at this point I’m focusing solely on the next movie because let’s be honest: studios want a trilogy out of everything and most of the time they’re willing to part with the director.

Brad Bird

It’s not just that Brad Bird is one of the best directors working today. It’s that he has the uncanny ability to come into an existing project or franchise (like Ratatouille and Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol) and hit it out of the park. He doesn’t leave an overbearing stamp on his material other than an emphasis on the importance of story above all else, and giving his audience a fun, uplifting experience without ever being cloying or condescending. If anyone can bring the old magic back to Star Wars, it’s Bird.

David Yates

There were four directors before him, but for me, David Yates is the true director of the Harry Potter franchise. He directed it through some of the most challenging stories, found the essence of the character as it best related to the demands of a movie, and always let the story come ahead of the set pieces. His passion for the material never came off as slavish or doting, but respectful and thoughtful. If there’s any franchise that could match the pressures of directing Star Wars, it’s Harry Potter. Yates made it look easy.

Matthew Vaughn

Like all of the other directors on this list, he took an established franchise and made it feel fresh without leaving behind what made the world special. If anyone other than Bryan Singer had come on to replace Vaughn for X-Men: First Class 2, I think there would have been great mourning at seeing him leave the series. Also worth noting is how Vaughn has skillfully moved through wildly different tones such as the delightful fantasy of Stardust to the bombastic to Kick-Ass without missing a beat.

Sam Mendes

After seeing Skyfall, I was once again reminded that Sam Mendes is a master of genre. Give him a strong script, and he’ll blow you away. Give him a bad script, and you get Revolutionary Road. But in terms of control, he has moved seamlessly through genres as diverse as period melodrama to indie dramedy to gangster film to spy thriller, and while he doesn’t drastically elevate the material, he directs a script to its full potential. And as you’ll see with Skyfall, he has no trouble getting into an established franchise and finding its heart.

J.J. Abrams

Yes, it will be the most secretive production in history. While I haven’t been over the moon about the stories of Abrams’ movies, I believe he is a talented director, and more importantly, he can make a strong picture when working with a less than stellar script. If Abrams gets a strong screenplay and can pair it with the earnestness he showed with Super 8, it should be a nice fit with Star Wars.

Of course, the most important challenge is getting the story right, and we have no idea what that story will be. This is the problem with speculation. We have favorite directors, and we want them to do big things, but we don’t know if they’ll be a good fit. And it’s impossible to know who would be best suited to the material (although I can think of some names that I would prefer to stay away from Star Wars), so we’ll just have to wait and see.

Please sound off in the comments about who you’d like to see direct Star Wars: Episode VII.

For more of our coverage on Disney buying LucasFilm:

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Andy201

“There were four directors before him, but for me, David Yates…”

Just a correction, there were only three before Yates: Columbus, Cuaron and Newell.
Yates was the fourth and the last director of the Potter franchise.

Interesting article though.
Andy201

\"There were four directors before him, but for me, David Yates…\"

Just a correction, there were only three before Yates: Columbus, Cuaron and Newell.
Yates was the fourth and the last director of the Potter franchise.

Interesting article though.
Andy201

\\"There were four directors before him, but for me, David Yates…\\"

Just a correction, there were only three before Yates: Columbus, Cuaron and Newell.
Yates was the fourth and the last director of the Potter franchise.

Interesting article though.
Andy201

There were four directors before him, but for me, David Yates..

Just a correction, there were only three before Yates: Columbus, Cuaron and Newell.
Yates was the fourth and the last director of the Potter franchise.

Interesting article though.
Doug

I bet James Cameron is involved in ep vii. He’s in cohoots with Disney with avatar land and what other director could take those reigns?
Snakebitey

As long as its in 3D and not directed by Lucas it will be good. I would say Nolan to but he doesn\’t know how to do 3D yet. i think the best choice would be James Cameron. H knows how to do space movies and did the first 3d movie.
Now that I think about it now though Nolan would be bad. if he had directed the first movies, Darth Vader wouldn\’t have died in the end.
Diego

Brad Bird would be a nice pick… but why did anybody mention Joe Kosinsky? Andrew Stanton had a great debut (well, not finantially though) with John Carter and a SW movie would be his redemption… also, Rupert Sanders, I think, did a good job with Snow White and I think he could pull it off with a good script. Gore Verbinski anyone? Ben Affleck did sound interesting indeed. Now, the risky one: I know you guys will hate me for this but, I’d really love to see a Michael Bay directed Star Wars movie. I mean, you always say Transformers as an example of his void talent (although I enjoyed all three…. well, the second not that much) but the guy also directed The Rock, Armageddon and The Island! We still have to see Pain and Gain but I really think that, with the right script (and I’m pretty sure the guy loved Star Wars), we would have not only a visually gorgeous Star Wars film but also one that kick ass!! (Remember, he’s not that into CGI, Transformers and Pearl Harbor required that but he uses a lot of practical effects).
Afilmguy

For those suggesting Nolan: No. Mostly because this is a type of genre-filmmaking that is entirely outside of his strengths. He is a mystery, suspense, detective, and philosophical type of a director. Things that aren’t too blown up (other than TDKR, which, compared to Star Wars, still isn’t as big) but his script and thematic values are top-notch.
For those ranting on why Nolan shouldn’t be: read above. He’s not a bad director just because he can’t do a Star Wars film. His films are recognized quite widely by film scholars.
For those suggesting JJ Abrams: I think it would be ok. But like I read from someone here he’s already done Star Trek which can be used both as a pro and con as to why he would do it.
For those suggesting Peter Jackson: Maybe. He’d definitely get the grip of the spectacle and I think his organization of it would be quite good.
For those suggesting David Fincher: He might be good. But, again, his style doesn’t necessarily fit the universe create, though it may depend on the story being told. But picture this Disney Presents a David Fincher film? Yeano.
For those suggesting Michael Bay: You have just come across what could possibly be worse than Lucas. It would be horrible.
For those suggesting (and I’m not saying there are…in fact I highly doubt there are any) Uwe Boll: SHUT. THE. HELL. UP.
Afilmguy

For those suggesting Nolan: No. Mostly because this is a type of genre-filmmaking that is entirely outside of his strengths. He is a mystery, suspense, detective, and philosophical type of a director. Things that aren\’t too blown up (other than TDKR, which, compared to Star Wars, still isn\’t as big) but his script and thematic values are top-notch.
For those ranting on why Nolan shouldn\’t be: read above. He\’s not a bad director just because he can\’t do a Star Wars film. His films are recognized quite widely by film scholars.
For those suggesting JJ Abrams: I think it would be ok. But like I read from someone here he\’s already done Star Trek which can be used both as a pro and con as to why he would do it.
For those suggesting Peter Jackson: Maybe. He\’d definitely get the grip of the spectacle and I think his organization of it would be quite good.
For those suggesting David Fincher: He might be good. But, again, his style doesn\’t necessarily fit the universe create, though it may depend on the story being told. But picture this Disney Presents a David Fincher film? Yeano.
For those suggesting Michael Bay: You have just come across what could possibly be worse than Lucas. It would be horrible.
For those suggesting (and I\’m not saying there are…in fact I highly doubt there are any) Uwe Boll: SHUT. THE. HELL. UP.
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Chris

I’m sorry but nowhere in that interview did Spielberg say that he was done with action movies. He just said that action doesn’t attract him. That doesn’t mean that he’s not doing action movies anymore. Therefore, I nominate Steven Spielberg to pick up the reigns of a new Star Wars movie.
ben

If Disney had the balls to bet on him, Genndy Tartakovsky doesn\’t have any competition. He\’d be the spot-on best person to give the keys to the SW kingdom. But that will never, ever happen. I\’m sure he\’ll end up involved though, in some capacity!

PS. Collider… your Captcha isn’t working. I’ve entered the correct code in three times in a row and it’s not processing my comment. You dudes are falling apart!
ben

Just to add in a fun never-will-happen name, I think the family friendly shlock that Sam Raimi has been putting out qualifies him for a movie that would be epic, technically competent, campy in a way that is appropriate to episodes 4-6, and in-line in terms of being just disappointing enough to get fanboys (such as myself) to bitch incessantly and leave room for yet ANOTHER kick-it-down-the-line reboot.
tom

like the Hobbit, Guillermo del Toro would be perfect for Star Wars. but that will never happen and probably SHOULD never happen. he needs to keep making original films (Pan’s Labyrinth is brilliant). JJ Abrams is another good choice, if this news came out in 2007. after Star Trek, there’s no way he’d be involved. Brad Bird sounds like a realistic option, and i have no gripes with that. but to me the obvious choice is Jon Favreau. he loves SW. he handles character, action, effects, and story fairly well and he’s no stranger to family-friendly fare. but i don’t think it matters who’s directing. we’re all gonna go see it, and Disney knows that. they’ll throw some no-name, up-and-comer on the project and oversee the shit out of it. hell, Lucas and Kennedy will probably be on set at all times.
Franklin

Maybe one reason (among many) Lucas sold to Disney is that he likes their current stable of directors and writers who are currently signed to them. So I’ll bet that the directors being considered to direct any one of the movies in the next trilogy are: Joseph Kosinski, Andrew Stanton and Joe Johnston. Gore Verbinski would seem very appropriate to help produce the entire trilogy.
spongefist

There are only 4 people who can do this and they come as sets of two:

The Farrelly Brothers
The Wachowski Brothers
ssr

JOSS WHEDON……
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FILMfan

Uwe Boll !!!
FILMfan

Maybe Uwe Boll can set aside some time from his busy schedule to direct
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cry

David Yates as true director of Harry Potter series??? Sorry, but i don’t see him as a potential director for episode 7 and true director for Harry Potter was and always will be Alfonso Cuaron.
- Michael
  
  Alfonso did one single HP films. Yates took care of the whole second half of the franchise, the hardest HP books and stories. Cuaron only brought some of the flaw that the films had after the third one (invented scenes, Kloves shipping Harry and Hermione and ignoring several characters).
William Muniz

People!! as much as I would love for Whedon to direct this, keep in mind that Disney has it for 2015 and there is also a little superhero sequel coming on 2015 that is written and directed by Whedon… maybe episode 8???
Corey

Favreau or Brad Bird. Favreau might be able to get Harrison Ford to return as an older Han Solo.
Jeff Bonivert

Genndy Tartakovsky. His STAR WARS: CLONE WARS have an epic big screen look and
feel to them. Really had his Lucas-Mojo working on that series. You could see the love.
David Slade. Proves he knows characters. A real film-maker.
Shaun

So I wasn\’t the only one thinking Affleck… I agree that Argo makes a good case for him. All the reasons you stated, plus I think his love for sci-fi/Star Wars showed in Argo. He\’s a gifted filmmaker, and I\’d like to see what he could do, playing with those \"toys.\" (I mean, hey, did you see all those old Stars Wars/Star Trek toys at the end of Argo?)
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feloniousmax

Cronenberg, Gilliam, George Miller, Alex Proyas would all do really interesting takes.
Percy

Come on! David Yates. hell no!
My list:
Guillermo del toro
Alfonso Cuaron
Peter Jackson
Josh Trank & Jay Alaimo
Wachowski’s

I believe on them.
saintsyn

I’m going to think outside the box here and suggest John Woo (see Red Cliff for how to handle some enormous battles) or Takashi Miike (think of Jedi being directed by the guy that did 13 Assassins, and he’s actually done family movies too). They may seem odd choices, but the whole conceit of Jedis would be great if handled by directors who know how to stage a well choreographed fight scene AND have character development.
saintsyn

I\’m going to think outside the box here and suggest John Woo (see Red Cliff for how to handle some enormous battles) or Takashi Miike (think of Jedi being directed by the guy that did 13 Assassins, and he\’s actually done family movies too). They may seem odd choices, but the whole conceit of Jedis would be great if handled by directors who know how to stage a well choreographed fight scene AND have character development.
Chris

All your choices are waaaaay too obvious, people! Think outside the box!

McG – (Charlies Angles…in space!!!

Uwe Bol – Probably could still create a better movie than Episode I

Ryan Murphy – It’s about we got a gay musical story line in Star Wars

Frank Oz – Actually, that would be interesting. Yoda behind the camera…
Chris

For those of us who what a director who will become the faithful keeper of the Star Wars mythos:

There is no bigger Star Wars fanboy director than Kevin Smith. He’d be extremely loyal to the material, but I think this is way outside his comfort zone.
Nate

Its Disney so I imagine Gore Verbinski’s probably a noted choice.
Mr.Rich316

Mike Figgis( for much better dialogue), Roland Emmerich(Proven Sci-Fi record),Joe Carnahan(for a fun action flick), or Kevin Smith (for a true fan boy film).
Sean

Olivier Megaton. He’s good right….
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Tralfadore

Oh Shit!!!! You\’re a fucking genious! I\’ve been so wrapped up in this E-7 shit that I didn\’t consider this! BTW Val Kilmer is a fat ass now!
Tralfadore

Go fuck yourself if Mark Hamil isn’t in this!!!
Anonymous

O.J. Simpson should direct and play every part.
Anonymous

O.J. Simpson should direct and play every part!
Publius

I’m noticing that most of the comments tend to suggest each person’s favorite directors. The problem is, the real task is finding the best *Star Wars* directors. I love Christopher Nolan, but I don’t think he’s right for the Star Wars franchise. Likewise with Joss Whedon. Frankly, I have the same opinion of J.J. Abrams — his reboot of Star Trek was spectacular, but I can’t envision him in the director’s seat for this sort of project.

My favorite is still Brad Bird. He’s family friendly, has a good grasp of storytelling (something this series desperately needs), and has proven himself capable of action set-pieces (especially in M.I.-4). The others you list would probably be good, but this is the one I’m rooting for.
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Bill F

One piece of speculation I heard is that Bird is already signed up to direct a Disney movie called 1952 that is supposed to be huge and lead to “multi-platform” success (like video games, theme parks, etc) and that it could be a cover for an already-in-development Episode 7. If that turns out to be more than speculation, Bird might be the guy.
Daniel

Chan-wook Park

5 Suggestions for Who Should Direct STAR WARS: EPISODE VII

by Matt Goldberg Posted: October 30th, 2012 at 3:51 pm

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