Jon Favreau And J.J. Abrams On Possibly Directing STAR WARS: EPISODE VII

Jon Favreau (Iron Man) and J.J. Abrams (Star Trek) share their thoughts on those Star Wars: Episode VII director rumors. Favreau sounds open to the possibility of helming the Disney/LucasFilm project, while Abrams says he'll likely see it "as a paying moviegoer".

By PaulRom - Nov 09, 2012 02:11 PM EST

Filed Under: Star Wars

Since yesterday, we've heard comments from a few directors saying that they're not interested in directing the recently announced Star Wars: Episode VII. Man Of Steel's Zack Snyder, Raiders Of The Lost Ark's Steven Spielberg (who was said to be one of three directors to be sent writer Michael Ardnt's story treatment for the sequel), and Django Unchained's Quentin Tarantino all denied interest in helming a Star Wars movie. Now, you can add another name to the list. Hollywood Life recently spoke with directors Jon Favreau (Iron Man 1+2, Cowboys & Aliens) and J.J. Abrams (Super 8, Star Trek) about these rumors, and if either of them would be interested in helming the project. Abrams was also sent Ardnt's story treatment, as well as Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol's Brad Bird.

"Look, Star Wars is one of my favorite movies of all time," said Abrams. "I frankly feel that – I almost feel that, in a weird way, the opportunity for whomever it is to direct that movie, it comes with the burden of being that kind of iconic movie and series. I was never a big Star Trek fan growing up, so for me, working on Star Trek didn’t have any of that, you know, almost fatal sacrilege, and so, I am looking forward more then anyone to the next iterations of Star Wars, but I believe I will be going as a paying moviegoer!"

Favreau, however, sounds a little more interested in directing a Star Wars movie. "I think both J.J. and I come from a generation of people who formed our whole creative persona around what we experienced as kids from watching those films, and I have had the good fortune of working with George [Lucas] and around George, and whether it is doing a voice on Clone Wars, or being at the Skywalker Ranch mixing Iron Man – so I have been very happy and lucky to just experience the culture that Lucas has created, both in my own life growing up as a kid and professional – whether it was interviewing him at film festivals on stage, he is just a really wonderful, talented gifted guy who has changed the business so much, so I am just giddy, first and foremost as a fan, to see what happens with it. I think there is a lot of question marks of how they are going to do it, and who they are going to do it with, and what the story is going to be about; but to say that I am not excited about it is definitely an understatement. We’ll see."

Who do you want to direct Star Wars: Episode VII? The film is targeting a 2015 release.

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69 Comments

1 2

toco89 - 11/9/2012, 2:33 PM

Abrams was clear on his stance, too bad, I hope who ever gets it is at least as good. But his stance is more than understandable, a fresh mindset with a little background knowledge made for an enjoyable movie in Star Trek.

Favreau seems to really appreciate Lucas. I'd say he was cozying up for the job, but it isn't Lucas' call anymore.

Nick56 - 11/9/2012, 2:35 PM

Joseph Kosinski should direct

devil - 11/9/2012, 2:50 PM

jj abrams

Funsize - 11/9/2012, 2:54 PM

I love both of those directors and i think it would be cool if they were up for the job

xizorkatarn - 11/9/2012, 2:56 PM

Favreau could be brilliant... I hope he's offered the job at least

jimpinto24 - 11/9/2012, 3:06 PM

Peter Jackson or J.J. Abrams.

SugarYumYum - 11/9/2012, 3:14 PM

Abrams is already on Star Trek, I'd rather he stick to one "star" series so cool if he's not up for it. Favreau?... Eh, I can't imagine that going well tbh... Yes, it seems whoever is brave to step up to the plate will have a tough job indeed.

spidey1994 - 11/9/2012, 3:16 PM

Please let Jon Favreau direct Episode VII!!!!

fanboy03191 - 11/9/2012, 3:17 PM

All of these big timers are backing away! Wonder why. Do they know something we don't?

marvel72 - 11/9/2012, 3:21 PM

personally i can't wait to see it but i don't envy whomever they get to direct it,the star wars fans will be rabid if we get another star wars film that is below par.

@ charlie2094

episode one has done $1,027,044,677 now,i know it was released again in 3D,episode seven should destroy episode one.

MiracleMe - 11/9/2012, 3:25 PM

I dunno about Favreau. The last time he worked with Ford the results were disappointing.

thatdylhooper - 11/9/2012, 3:31 PM

Loving all this news

Chrono - 11/9/2012, 3:43 PM

I'm hoping for Brad Bird :)

DoomXfactor - 11/9/2012, 3:47 PM

Just pick Brad Bird and get this speculation shit over with

DarthLaney - 11/9/2012, 3:54 PM

Matthew Vaughan...you don't leave a big franchise like X-men for no reason or to direct a shitty small film.

pud333 - 11/9/2012, 4:01 PM

Favreau would be horrible. The action in IM and IM2 was terrible and the entire movie was so small- minded. In order to do SW justice, they're going to need a director who can handle an epic space opera.

DetBullock - 11/9/2012, 4:15 PM

Jon Favreau, a comedy director that wouldn't know how to shoot good action scenes if they hit him in the face.
JJ Abrams, the guy who keeps accepting scripts from his friends who don't know how to write films.

nld3 - 11/9/2012, 4:17 PM

What did anyone expect from someone already in charge of Star Trek. His idea's will stay there.

PapaEmeritus - 11/9/2012, 4:18 PM

Disney needs to think bigger.

THRILLHO - 11/9/2012, 4:25 PM

Yeaton10 - 11/9/2012, 4:31 PM

Favreau would be a great choice, but my number one choice would still be Ridley Scott--who is also know for directing Harrison Ford in Blade Runner.

Minato - 11/9/2012, 4:31 PM

I just got the job to direct the new Star Wars films.

Wingding - 11/9/2012, 4:42 PM

Rian johnson. Looper was an awesome, darker, scifi film, and did well. Star Wars needs to be a little darker, while still keeping the fun. The phantom menace light kiddy CRAP, needs to be GONE. Also, Peter Jackson would be good because he can handle the scope, and he has already done a very successful trilogy. Just my two cents.

OtakuPapi - 11/9/2012, 4:57 PM

J J Abrams is perfect for a New Star Wars, i don't know many who are outside of him

marvel72 - 11/9/2012, 5:13 PM

i wonder if this guy has an account on comicbookmovie.com

NovemberGrey - 11/9/2012, 5:13 PM

I honestly feel JJ Abrams would be the perfect man to take helm of the Indiana Jones franchise. What he did with Super 8 showed me he had the sensibility to capture both the fun and adventure needed for a great Indy film but also the heart. He made a Spielberg-ian film, better than Spielberg has in years. Though to be fair Spielberg's worst is better than most directors best.

continuezero - 11/9/2012, 5:29 PM

I think I don't want JJ to do it only because I associate him with Trek and as much as I love both I love them each for separate reasons. He does make a good point about the burden of doing this because if its done wrong fanboy world will crucify them. I think JJ is great but just not the right situation for him.

Keep my Trek and Wars seperate.

evilness - 11/9/2012, 5:31 PM

3 people were sent the script. spielberg, abrams, and bird.
spielberg and abrams said no.
which means the opportunity is bird's to lose now.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE

SAY YES!

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