Star Wars has been such an iconic and inspirational franchise for not just movie fans, but many filmmakers as well. It’s one of the reasons why the chance to get to work on any project Star Wars related is seen as such a privilege in the industry. It’s also a franchise which lately seems to be having a little bit of trouble in keeping directors attached to its various projects.
Firstly, we had Phil Lord and Christopher Miller fired from Solo, which saw the film been completed by Ron Howard in record time but with an inflated budget. Then we saw Colin Trevorrow leaving the final and third part of the current film trilogy which was completed by J.J. Abrams, the man who started it off, instead. Recently we’ve also heard that David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, creators of HBO’ high-profile Game of Thrones, were also no longer involved with a planned trilogy of films they were reportedly working on.
Considering these people were either difficult to work with or had recent work which was less than stellar you could argue that these losses were rather fortuitous for the Star Wars brand. However, with Disney now at the helm of Star Wars and Kathleen Kennedy completely in charge of the franchise, it’s also easy to look higher up and see that as the reason for the change in personnel.
Kennedy has a different take on things and shared in a recent interview with Rolling Stone why she believes that working on any Star Wars project is a tough prospect for people:
Every one of these movies is a particularly hard nut to crack. There’s no source material. We don’t have comic books. We don’t have 800-page novels. We don’t have anything other than passionate storytellers who get together and talk about what the next iteration might be. We go through a really normal development process that everybody else does. You start by talking to filmmakers who you think exhibit the sensibilities that you’re looking for. And I would argue that the list is very small — people who really do have the sensibilities about these kinds of movies, and then the experience and the ability to handle how enormous a job these movies are. So, we try to be as thoughtful as we possibly can about making those choices. I would also argue that sometimes people get involved in the normal development process, and then they realize, “Oh, my God, this is so much more than I ever imagined.” So, it’s pretty common that when you’re working on movies, you’re not making choices and decisions that necessarily work out exactly the way you want from the get-go.”
Considering that outside of these recent movies, the creative direction was always firmly with George Lucas, who directed all but two of the first 6 movies and was involved with the stories of each of them. So, these plights are a recent issue that Lucasfilm has never really had to deal with before. I would also argue that Kennedy’s claim of a lack of source material is a little controversial considering that the many novels and already exiting lore should provide plenty of source material and inspiration for filmmakers to draw upon.
However, I do think the biggest issue with working on a Star Wars project is the massive hype that exists around the franchise and there are few people that can deal satisfactorily with that level of fan expectation.
I do personally believe though that some of this turmoil has been a blessing in disguise as it has forced Disney and Lucasfilm to slow down a little in their approach and focus on quality over quantity. It will hopefully allow all future projects within the Star Wars universe to meet the high standards that are expected of them. Or at least try because I think very little could ever be good enough for the average Star Wars fan given how passionate they are.
Last Updated: November 20, 2019
Admiral Chief
November 20, 2019 at 13:57
EZ
Just make 6 or 9 movies out of the Old Republic Era. PLENTY of story there
Pariah
November 20, 2019 at 14:02
69 movies you say?
Admiral Chief
November 20, 2019 at 14:08
Yeah, Chewbacca topsy turvy
Pariah
November 20, 2019 at 15:52
RAAAAAAAAAAAAWR
Admiral Chief
November 20, 2019 at 16:18
Google Shaved Wookiee
Pariah
November 20, 2019 at 19:30
I already know how Geoff reacts to K44sie’s nudes. No thanks.
Admiral Chief
November 20, 2019 at 19:30
https://i.imgur.com/ZmKiagz.jpg
Pariah
November 20, 2019 at 19:51
That was less NSFW than I thought.
Admiral Chief
November 20, 2019 at 19:51
I’ll WhatsApp you the ENSFW version now
Son of Banana Jim
November 20, 2019 at 14:21
That’s exactly what Disney had planned… 69+ turds shoved right down our throats.
Son of Banana Jim
November 20, 2019 at 14:21
That’s exactly what Disney had planned… 69+ turds shoved right down our throats.
For the Emperor!
November 20, 2019 at 18:29
We need these two guys in movies/series!
https://www.propsfoundry.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/darth_revan_sith_mask_kotor_01.jpg
http://www.d20radio.com/main/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Hk24formercover.jpg
Hammersteyn
November 20, 2019 at 14:02
People that don’t know anything about Star Wars are making Star Wars movies. That’s the problem.
Son of Banana Jim
November 20, 2019 at 14:27
And now JJ Abrams will screw up superman as well. Who is giving this man so much work? Does he have Epstein’s blackbook or something? Is he blackmailing himself into top jobs? I just don’t get it. How did Rian Johnson get his little greasy fingers on the last jedi? Why didn’t Bob Iger intervene?
Why does Kathleen Kennedy still collect a salary? How can one person be so incompetent? Does this mean Elizabeth Banks will also fail upwards?
Why is this world so weird???
Original Heretic
November 20, 2019 at 14:27
Another big issue is that all these guys want to come in and make changes, to make things “fresh”.
All they end up doing is pissing off most of the fans.
It is completely possible to craft amazing stories within the rules that have already been established. Many great storytellers out there have done it.
Admiral Chief
November 20, 2019 at 14:27
Everyone’s an “artist” with no respect for clearly defined lore and continuity
Original Heretic
November 20, 2019 at 14:27
It’s the lore that makes it all so damn interesting.
If you are going to make changes to it, it should be for a VERY good reason, not just because “it would be cool if…”
Admiral Chief
November 20, 2019 at 14:27
There should be a big Wookiee next to all the directors and writers, that gives them a big-ol-Wookie-slap if they say “it would be cool if”
RAAAAAAAWWWRRR (means NO)
Original Heretic
November 20, 2019 at 14:32
I know a guy! He doesn’t even really need a suit. He’s so damn hairy, I’m sure he has wookie blood.
Admiral Chief
November 20, 2019 at 16:18
+1
Tbone187
November 20, 2019 at 16:18
I still don’t see the logic in getting a Star Trek director to do Star Wars. Awful, awful decision.
Spathi
November 20, 2019 at 14:08
KATHLEEN! KATHLEEN!! FFS Kathleen, these Starry War pictures are from the devil I tell ya Kathleen.
Yozzie
November 20, 2019 at 14:08
This is the happiest day of my life KATHLEEN!
Pariah
November 20, 2019 at 14:08
Admiral Chief
November 20, 2019 at 14:27
Nou DIS kak depressing
Yozzie
November 20, 2019 at 14:32
Some PG13 naughty word warning
Admiral Chief
November 20, 2019 at 14:42
YES
THE FLAG
Tbone187
November 20, 2019 at 16:31
These people in charge could learn a lot from the crew of the Clone Wars Animated series. I say just dump the lot and bring those guys in.At least the writers.
konfab
November 20, 2019 at 16:43
“Every one of these movies is a particularly hard nut to crack. There’s no source material. “We don’t have comic books.”
Of course they don’t since they retconned an entire universe out of existence.
HvR
November 20, 2019 at 18:52
Jip no source material, no source material to see here folks move along…..
http://www.starwarsreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/230200_10150236754595932_511375931_9048204_6951118_n.jpg
https://static.makeuseof.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/star-wars-games-670×335.jpg
Son of Banana Jim
November 20, 2019 at 13:57
I guess it all boils down to optics why she hasn’t been fired yet. She was given the keys to the kingdom by Lucas himself and she not only squandered it but ruined Star Wars. Now Feige has to clean up her mess and she still collects a salary….
Disgusting!!
Pariah
November 20, 2019 at 14:02
Give us stories from the Old Republic or the outer rim or things like that. Tell us stories of how the Sith came to be. The Zeffa. Give us more than just the tired old Jedi *puke*. Rogue One was proof that it works. Still needs to be a good movie (looking at you, Solo), but tell us more.
For the Emperor!
November 20, 2019 at 18:29
Problem 1: “Kathleen Kennedy completely in charge of the franchise”
Problem 2: “There’s no source material” – She be delusional! Clearly knows nothing of SW.
Problem 3: “filmmakers who you think exhibit the sensibilities that you’re looking for” – She be looking for SJW writers and directors.
Problem 4: Yes, it is over hyped and that could put off a lot of competent people of all races, genders and agendas.
HvR
November 20, 2019 at 18:53
Somebody mail Mr Zahn to tell him to identify as a woman so we can finally have a Mara Jade movie/series
Gerhard
November 21, 2019 at 10:35
Wow! So many negative comments. I really enjoy the Star Wars movies and have watched all of them many times (not SOLO).They are entertaining and well made. Love the franchise and hope for more of the same with the last one.