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Lucasfilm announce thatStar Wars : Episode IXdirectorColin Trevorrow would be ill-treat downfollowing originative differences . WhileStar Warshas fare back with the full force of its fandom sinceThe Force Awakensin 2015 , Lucasfilm has skin to strike a balance between individual directors ' vocalisation and the franchise ’s trade name . First , Tony Gilroy(Michael Clayton , The Bourne Legacy ) came in for expensive reshoots for Gareth Edwards’Rogue One . Then , earlier this year , Phil Lord and Christopher Miller ( The Lego Movie,21 Jump Street)left Lucasfilm ’s ungentle Han Solo movie mid - productionand werereplaced by Ron Howard(Apollo 13 , A Beautiful Mind).Now , Trevorrow ’s exit leaves Lucasfilm in an uncomfortable situation . It ’s probable that Kathleen Kennedy , the President of Lucasfilm , will not want to delay find a new film director forEpisode IX . It ’s likely that Lucasfilm will stress to use Trevorrow ’s exit as an chance to generate fresh bombilation forEpisode IX , but it ’s currently indecipherable if they will opt for a veteran filmmaker , like Ron Howard , or a proportional alien , to fill Trevorrow ’s shoes . We’ve generated a wide list of rooter - best-loved , seasoned , and up - and - come directors who could andshouldhave the chance to direct aStar Warsfilm in the future - perhaps one of them will be able-bodied to makeEpisode IXa reality .
Honorable Mentions (or who probably won’t be directing)
There are some directors who would do a fantastic job withEpisode IX , but are improbable to take on the role . This includesPatty Jenkins , the manager of the late blockbuster hitWonder Woman- it ’s clear that Jenkins is an expert film producer , but she ’s already busy with theWonder Womansequel , and it ’s unconvincing thatStar Warswould correspond in her schedule .
In a alike vein , Christopher Nolan’sDunkirkshows that he ’s at the top of his biz . However , theDark Knightdirector would likely get along with a big cost tag and want greater creative mastery than Lucasfilm would allow . Brad Bird(Tomorrowland , Mission : Impossible - Ghost Protocol ) of Pixar fame is officious withIncredibles 2 , and Pete ’s Dragon’sDavid Loweryhas a host of approaching projects let in a remaking ofPeter Pan(2018).Jordan Vogt - Roberts(Kong : Skull Island ) is tied to the upcomingMetal Gear Solidmovie , and has made it clean on Twitter that he will not impart the undertaking forStar Wars .
My heart goes out to my dear friend@colintrevorrow . For anyone asking me to step in on this movie I ’m just go to leave this right here : pic.twitter.com / uzEenkN7Dj — Jordan Vogt - Roberts ( @VogtRoberts)September 5 , 2017
Taika Waihiti , the music director of the upcomingThor : Ragnarok(2017),also commented on Twitter , sound out that fans should n’t hold out for aStar Warsfilm from him .
I ’d be fired within a week . — Taika Waititi ( @TaikaWaititi)September 6 , 2017
A number of talented filmmakers have already function to bringStar Warsto life story , includingJ. J. Abrams , Gareth Edwards , Tony Gilroy , andRon Howard . All of these directors have successfully run with Lucasfilm antecedently ; however , since Gilroy and Howard have already been lend in as " mender , " and Ron Howard ’s piece of work on the Han Solo movie will likely extend into Episode IX pre - yield , it ’s unlikely that Lucasfilm will reuse them again .
lastly , if Lucasfilm wanted to return to its creative ascendent , Kathleen Kennedy could render to pullGeorge Lucasout of retreat . Alternatively , if Lucas was n’t concerned , Kennedy could also ask close friend and seer filmmakerStephen Spielbergto step up .
George Lucas from summertime 1977 throws his hat in the ring#StarWarsEpisodeIXpic.twitter.com / WMyL6m2csn — Chris Taylor ( @FutureBoy)September 5 , 2017
11. James Ponsoldt
James Ponsoldt ’s films show his range as a director . From the romanticistic dramedyThe Spectacular Nowto the biographic dramaThe End of the Tour , he has a number of absorb and creative flick under his whack . Even though he ’s not yet forty , Ponsoldt is a veteran soldier director , with more feature of speech celluloid deferred payment than either Rian Johnson or Gareth Edwards under his belt . However , his most recent film and despoil into scientific discipline fiction , The Circlewas a critical and commercial flop , which might deter Lucasfilm from contacting him . SinceStar Warsstar John Boyega also starred inThe Circle , however , he may be able to pass along a recommendation to Kathleen Kennedy .
10. Jennifer Phang
Jennifer Phang may not have been the first person you would reckon for helmingStar Wars , but she has made quite a name for herself at Sundance . Her filmHalf - Lifepremiered there in 2008 , and she returned in 2015 with her feature - length filmAdvantageous- a scientific discipline fable pic that won the Special Jury Award for Collaborative Vision . Since then , she ’s dabble in television and demo off her all-encompassing stove of ability as a movie maker . Phang would certainly shake things up , and offer a stand thatStar Warshas never seen before . Still , while Phang as an creative person would deliver an amazing film , she may not be the solution to Lucasfilm ’s Commonwealth of Puerto Rico problem ; as a comparative stranger , her name may not persuade enough weight to generate buzz or drive fans to come out to seeEpisode IX .
9. Colm McCarthy
Colm McCarthy has directed quite a bit of television receiver , includingSherlock , Doctor Who , andPeaky Blinders . Recently , he began to transition into feature length films withThe Girl With All the Gifts , an innovative take on the " zombie spirit " motion-picture show . McCarthy has show his range of mountains , his trend , his storytelling wiliness , and his interest in skill fiction - he fits a similar profile and style to that ofRogue One ’s Gareth Edwards . McCarthy is tied to a couple of labor that have n’t started film , as well as an coming instalment ofBlack Mirror , but if Lucasfilm wanted him forStar warfare , it seems like his docket could shed light on out .
8. Jordan Peele
Get Outhas made Jordan Peele the breakout director of the year . The film effortlessly mixed revulsion , sense of humour , and societal comment to create a film that was skittish , complex , and laugh - out - loud funny . As of August of this class , Get Outwas stillthe most profitable film of 2017 . Peele might not seem like the most obvious option forEpisode IX , but he is a reality - class fibber and music director whose personal firebrand could thrive within the galaxy far , far aside . Plus , Peele ’s visibility and popularity are aided by his workplace on the sketch comedy showKey and Peele(2012 ) ; if Lucasfilm want to make a newspaper headline , Jordan Peele isa headline .
7. Dave Filoni
If Lucasfilm ’s problems staunch from having directors whose creative imagination clash with theStar Warsbrand , then perhaps the solution is charter someone on the inside . Dave Filoni , the director ofStar war : The Clone WarsandStar Wars Rebels , could be the serviceman for the occupation . Filoni ’s ebullience and bed ofStar Warscome through inClone WarsandRebels ; manyStar Warsfans spill the beans his praises , peculiarly after he re - introduced Grand Admiral Thrawn into theStar Warscanon inRebelsseason three .
Filoni also clear gravel along with Lucasfilm executives , include Kathleen Kennedy . His cinematic sight distinctly shines through in his animated series , and since he ’s already immersed inStar Warslore , he would be able to tie together the fib of the extended macrocosm in the finis of the sequel trilogy .
6. Michelle MacLaren
Before Patty Jenkins directedWonder Woman , Michelle Maclaren was attached to the task back in 2015 . Maclaren is a veteran and Emmy Award - deliver the goods television director and manufacturer who has worked onBreaking Bad , Game of Thrones , The Walking Dead , Westworld , andThe X - Files . MacLaren is an experient and level-headed director , and her experience in television illustrates that she can match a variety of tones and styles . If Lucasfilm is looking for an even - handed film director who can deliver a celluloid that rings true to theStar Warsuniverse , then MacLaren is the complete pick . Additionally , since she has forge primarily in television , Star Warswould be an opportunity to work her talents to sport films … that is , if she ’s still interested in making the shimmy .
5. Duncan Jones
Warcraftdirector Duncan Jones may be better known for his indie scientific discipline fabrication filmMoonwhich used practical impression and originative performance to bully succeeder . While his blockbusterWarcraftmay have underperform stateside , Moongarnered praise from critics and put Jones on the map as an innovative conductor . Jones ' upcomingMute , which comes out later this year , is supposed to be closer to the spirit ofMoonthan ofWarcraft . Additionally , Jones looks like free afterMute ’s release , which means that he could depart filmingEpisode IXon docket in early 2018 . He has the benefit of having cracked the Chinese box office , where Warcraft was a monumental success . ConsideringStar Warshasn’t grab on in China to the extent Lucasfilm hop , Jones could be the Francis Scott Key they take .
4. Denis Villeneuve
Denis Villeneuve is a solid , and perhaps safe , choice for Lucasfilm . Villeneuve has recent eld directedSicario , Arrival , and the upcomingBlade Runner 2049,which come out later this yr . A masterful filmmaker , Villeneuve ’s resume should make him the ideal director forStar Wars : Episode IX . However , Villeneuve will be just envelop up theBlade Runnerreboot , and it may be hard for him to turn around to shoot in early 2018 . Because of Villeneuve ’s high-pitched profile , Lucasfilm may have to solicit him more than some director who are trying to make a name for themselves - but if major planet aligned , Villeneuve could make an Oscar - worthyStar Warsfilm .
3. Alex Garland
Alex Garland is a novelist(TheBeach),screenwriter ( 28 Days Later , Sunshine , Never Let Me Go ) , and most recently , director . His launching picture , Ex Machinastarred twoStar Warsactors ( Oscar Isaac and Domhnall Gleeson ) and beat outThe Force Awakensfor the Academy Award for Best Special Effects . With a budget of only $ 15 million ( compare toTFA ’s $ 200 million),Ex Machinais the crushed budget winner of the Oscar for Best Special Effects sinceAlien(which had a $ 11 million in 1979 ) . Garland ’s upcoming plastic film , Annihilationis based on Jeff Vandermeer ’s inscrutable novel of the same name . WhileAnnihilation ’s departure date in former 2018 would present a potential conflict with the proposed filming schedule ofEpisode IX , Lucasfilm would be lucky to have Garland .
2. Ava DuVernay
Ava DuVernay ’s Oscar Award - winningSelmaand Netflix documentary13thare both deeply moving and profound films . Her upcoming adaptation ofA Wrinkle in Timeis already generating buzz after its first dawdler came out this year . LikeAnnihilation , A Wrinkle in Timecomes out in early 2018 , which could affect the take schedule forEpisode IX . However , DuVernay ’s nigh ties with Disney and her high - profile as a movie maker make her otherwise utterly suitable for the role .
After Patty Jenkins , DuVernay is the 2nd char ever ( and the first cleaning lady of vividness ) to channelise a moving-picture show with a budget that is greater than $ 100 million ; she could easy make history again as the first woman to ever helm asStar Warsfilm . While Lucasfilm has made smashing stride to have a various cast in its sequel trilogy , thus far it has not been as successful when select diverse directors for upcoming moving-picture show . DuVernay could give Lucasfilm some much - needed positive press - not only because she would be the first woman to direct aStar Warsfilm , but because she is one of the practiced and most qualified film producer currently work in the industry .
1. Rian Johnson
TheEpisode VIIIdirector may be the clearest and in many ways best selection forEpisode IX.While Phil Lord , Christopher Miller , and Colin Trevorrow struggle to work with Lucasfilm , Johnson seems to have thrive . IfEpisode IXwas direct by Johnson , there would be clean continuity between the second and third chapters of the sequel trilogy , andEpisode IXcould construct forthwith from the bombilation generated aroundEpisode VIII . to boot , have Johnson helm the final film would signal to other filmmakers that while Lucasfilm has rigid requirements of its directors , it also repay those who toy by the rules .
BeforeEpisode VIII , Johnson antecedently directed the scientific discipline fabrication filmLooperand three critically - acclaim episode ofBreaking Bad . For his own part , Johnson has enjoin that he would commit to anotherStar Warsfilm " in a heartbeat " - he just may not have realized how soon the chance could come !
I would do another SW pic in a blink of an eye . I ’ve had the time of my life . — Rian Johnson ( @rianjohnson)July 20 , 2017
NEXT:Star Wars' Director Problems Are All Lucasfilm’s Fault
