Denis Villeneuve has firmly established himself as a master of large-scale science fiction filmmaking, standing out among his peers in the industry. His foray into the genre began with the critically acclaimed 2016 film Arrival, followed by the visually stunning Blade Runner 2049 in 2017. His ambitious dual projects, Dune: Part One and Dune: Part Two, have only solidified his reputation as one of Hollywood’s foremost sci-fi directors.
However, Villeneuve has expressed little desire to contribute to one of the most celebrated franchises in sci-fi history: Star Wars. During a recent podcast interview on The Town, he shared the profound impact that the original 1977 film, Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, and its 1980 sequel, Empire Strikes Back, had on him during his formative years, as well as the disappointment he felt with 1983’s Return of the Jedi.
Villeneuve reminisced, “I was the target audience. At 10 years old, the movie hit me like a silver bullet. I became completely obsessed. I anticipated The Empire Strikes Back more than any other film in my life and watched it countless times. I was traumatized by it; I absolutely loved the original Star Wars. The issue arose, however, with Return of the Jedi in 1983.”
He further elaborated on his feelings of discontent: “When I was 15, my friend and I wanted to take a cab to L.A. to confront George Lucas about our frustrations. We were so angry! Even now, I can’t get past the Ewoks. The tone shifted to something more comedic for children.”
According to Villeneuve, his initial adverse response to Return of the Jedi has influenced his ongoing disinterest in future Star Wars projects. “Star Wars has become too rigid in its mythology; it feels like there’s a formula that lacks surprises,” he remarked. “The idea of creating a Star Wars film doesn’t excite me because it seems highly structured.”
Although his stance might disappoint some Star Wars enthusiasts, Villeneuve’s concerns are not without merit. The franchise has frequently come under fire for adhering too closely to the same formulas and conventions that originated with A New Hope and Empire Strikes Back. Many of the releases from Lucasfilm, including Rogue One (2016), Solo (2018), and Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker (2019), have faced significant behind-the-scenes complications with their directors.
In essence, Lucasfilm may not provide the ideal framework for a filmmaker with Villeneuve’s distinct vision and bold style. Thus, it might be beneficial for both him and the franchise that he opts not to engage with the current direction of Star Wars.
