Steven Spielberg Directing The Next Star Wars Movie?
Steven Spielberg could be headed to the Star Wars galaxy.
This article is more than 2 years old
The Star Wars cinematic universe has seen a number of ace directors helming its films but for one reason or another, Steven Spielberg never got the chance to direct any of the projects under the franchise. There have been rumors that he came close to directing Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, as he was George Lucas’ first choice. In later years, however, Steven Spielberg has made it explicitly clear that he is not interested in helming a Star Wars film. But if a recent report by insider Daniel Richtman is to be believed, then Lucasfilm is planning for the Jurassic Park director to lead the next Star Wars film.
Unfortunately, that’s all Richtman has reported and while we would love to see a Steven Spielberg directed Star Wars film in the future, there has been plenty of evidence to date that doesn’t really support his claims. Like in 2002, Spielberg shared that he wanted to direct a Star Wars film years ago and even asked George Lucas for the same, but he won’t “let me do one.” The duo has worked together on the Indiana Jones films but Spielberg understood that Star Wars is Lucas’ “baby,” it’s his work, his vision, and he wouldn’t ever share it with him.
In 2012, when Disney acquired Lucasfilm and announced a new trilogy of films, many expected that now Steven Spielberg would finally helm a project. But by then, the celebrated director had moved on from his desire to direct a Star Wars film one day. He clarified that he no longer had an interest in directing Episode VII or any other film under the franchise as it’s not his genre but his best friend George’s who created the series in the first place.
His interest in the galaxy far, far away didn’t improve with time and even when he finally collaborated with Disney for the 2016 film, The BFG, he was clear about his decision- never to make a Star Wars film. Steven Spielberg further added in his chat with Toronto Sun that the genre belongs to his buddy, the “Thomas Edison of science fiction”, George Lucas. Despite saying in the past that he wanted to helm at least one Star Wars film, he stressed that the franchise is not for him and he is just its fan.
And whether Steven Spielberg has an upcoming Star Wars film on his schedule or not, his plate is already pretty full with multiple projects that are either waiting to be released and are currently being planned. There is the upcoming musical drama film, West Side Story, based on a 1957 musical of the same name and starring Ansel Elgort and Rachel Zelger, which Spielberg has directed and co-produced. He is also attached as producer to the fifth, yet untitled Indiana Jones film that is currently slated for a 2022 release. He is also the executive producer of Jurassic Park: Dominion, is also onboard Transformers 7, as well as a Paramount+ series, Halo, based on the video game of the same name.
