Sorry to put a damper on your weekend, but it's looking as if director Brad Bird (The Incredibles) is out of the running for Star Wars: Episode VII.  Tops on may fans' lists of dream directors for the new sequel, Bird was considered a frontrunner due to his connections with Disney (who now owns Lucasfilm and the rights to Star Wars, along with Pixar, of course) and the involvement of screenwriter Michael Arndt (Toy Story 3) who will write the screenplay for Episode VII.  Bird's schedule grew a little more complicated recently when the epic sci-fi project 1952 landed George Clooney in a lead role.  Though the project isn't greenlit (and though Twitter isn't exactly hard journalistic evidence), it looks like this will be Bird's next picture and, sadly, not Star Wars.  Hit the jump to see what Bird had to say. The following Tweets from Bird's own account break the sad news that he's not in the helmer's chair for Star Wars: Episode VII, but will be moving forward with a "cool" sci-fi film:
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@rsavenell: You are on people's lists as top choice for Star Wars, yet haven't confirmed. Please end this tease!â Not doing Star Wars.â
@ClarkGoble: tell me your next one is the new Star Wars!â Nope. A science fiction film. Not Star Wars.â
@JoesMonster:Â@wearebuffaloz Is it Star Wars Episode VII? Because I really hope it's Star Wars Episode VII...â It's not Episode VII.â
@GeoffBreedwell: You're not doing EP7? Why not? You're perfect for it!â Thanks. But the science fiction film I AM doing is gonna be cool.â
@gregaveryowens: Totally just sawÂ@BradBirdA113Â slam Star Wars. Brilliant!â I'm not slamming Star Wars. I'm just doing "1952"! Sheesh!That said, Michael Arndt is a fantastic writer and Kathy Kennedy is a brilliant producer. I will be first in line to see the new STAR WARS.
Be sure to get caught up on all of our previous coverage on the Star Wars sequels at the links provided below:
- Disney Buys Lucasfilm for $4 Billion; STAR WARS: EPISODE 7 Will Kick Off New Trilogy in 2015 [Updated]
- George Lucas and Kathleen Kennedy Talk the Future of STAR WARS; Reveal Theyâve Already Met with Writers for EPISODE VII
- 5 Suggestions for Who Should Direct STAR WARS: EPISODE VII
- Disney CEO Bob Iger and George Lucas Talk LucasFilm Acquisition and STAR WARS
- Fox Still Owns Rights to STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE; Box Set Releases Could Be Tricky
- Could the Next STAR WARS Trilogy Feature Luke Skywalker in His 30s or 40s?
- Mark Hamill Comments on STAR WARS Sale, Meeting with George Lucas and Carrie Fisher About the Upcoming Sequel Trilogy and More!
- George Lucas to Donate Most of His $4 Billion from Lucasfilm Sale to Education Charity
- STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS Likely to Depart from Cartoon Network in Wake of Disney Purchase
- Is Matthew Vaughn in Talks to Direct STAR WARS: EPISODE VII?
- STAR WARS Sequel News: Harrison Ford Open to Returning as Han Solo in the New Trilogy
- Mark Millar Gives KICK-ASS 2 Updates; Comments on Matthew Vaughn Possibly Directing STAR WARS: EPISODE VII
- STAR WARS Sequel News: Michael Arndt May Pen STAR WARS: EPISODE VII; Brad Bird, J.J. Abrams and Steven Spielberg to Read His Treatment; Zack Snyder Out
- George Lucas and Kathleen Kennedy Talk STAR WARS: EPISODE VII Directors; Steven Spielberg and Quentin Tarantino Take Themselves Out of the Running
- STAR WARS Sequel News: Disney and Lucasfilm Confirm Michael Arndt as Screenwriter for STAR WARS: EPISODE 7
- Abrams, Favreau, Del Toro, and Trevorrow Talk about Directing STAR WARS; Plus Recap on Recent EPISODE VII News
- Frank Marshall Says STAR WARS Director Search Down to a Couple of Candidates; Joe Johnston Comments on Helming EPISODE VII
- Carrie Fisher Says Sheâs Going to Be in STAR WARS: EPISODE VII [Updated]