David Fincher The Latest Name Interested In A ‘Star Wars’ Directorial Job; Jon Favreau Also In The Mix
The speculation over who might directStar Wars Episode VIIis downright ridiculous. It’s at the point where people are analyzingevery single quotefrom actors and directors, word by word, to try and figure out who Kathleen Kennedy and Disney want to make the movie. But let’s face it: it’s fun, and a fantastic topic for discussion because we never thought anyone but George Lucas would make aStar Warsfilm ever again.
The only name that’sbeen discussed seriouslyover the past few weeks is Matthew Vaughn, whilemost directorshave come out and flat out denied any involvement. A new report onDeadline, though, confirms rumorswe’ve culled from TwitterthatJon Favreauis, indeed, attempting to get the gig. It also adds asort-of-surprising new nameinto the mix:David Fincher. He’s reportedly “game for one of these news films” and has a strong relationship with LucasFilm’sKathleen Kennedy, who producedThe Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
There’s more below, including a video of Fincher’s talking about working at Industrial Light & Magic.
A big hat-tip toThe Playlistfor picking up the following quote in a seeming un-Star Warsrelated article onDeadline:
As much as I’ve heard the Vaughn rumor, I’ve also heard Jon Favreau is panting after this job, and even that David Fincher, who apparently worked for Lucas’s ILM in a menial job as a teen, might be game for one of these new films. Unfortunately, we are getting nothing out of Lucas Land on what they call speculation. I broke a story recently that Lawrence Kasdan and Simon Kinberg will write futureStar Warsinstallments, most likely the second and third installments of the new trilogy, I’d heard. Lucas, through Disney, denied every speck of this, but I ran it anyway. They won’t comment or clarify these things because they want to announce it themselves on their own Twitter or website or whatever they’ve got.
Favreau recently hadthe movie he was working on,Jersey Boys, go away and Fincher has yet to commit to a new film – though it seems like once likely20,000 Leagues Under The Seawas slipping away. That film, too, was supposed to be with Disney, LucasFilm’s new owner, so maybe that’s where discussions started. It’s also interesting that one of Fincher’s earliest jobs was as an “assistant cameraman” for ILM working onStar Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. He also worked onTemple of Doomand many of his films have had their effects done at ILM.
Fincher is well-known for being a demanding, meticulous force on set, which might not blend with the corporate interests a newStar Warsmovie brings. That said, I don’t see this actually happening, but I do find it cool that he’s interested. Do you think Fincher would actually direct aStar Warsfilm? What would that be like?
