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| Image Credit: ALEXIS AUBIN/AFP via Getty Images |
Denis Villeneuve is known around the world for directing the recent Dune films. But there’s a reason the director wouldn’t dare explore the galaxy far, far away. During a recent episode of The Town podcast (via The Hollywood Reporter), the director opened up about why he wouldn’t want to direct a Star Wars project. According to Villeneuve, exploring the sands of Arrakis involves far more creative freedom than the process of crafting a Star Wars story. Here’s what the acclaimed artist had to say when asked if he would direct a Star Wars project:
“The problem is that everything derailed in 1983 with Return of the Jedi,” he continued. “It’s a long story. I was 15, and my best friend and I wanted to get in a cab and go to L.A. to talk to George Lucas — we were so mad! To this day, the Ewoks. It turned out to be a kids’ comedy. … Star Wars has crystallized in its mythology, very dogmatic, it seemed like a recipe, without any more surprises. So I don’t dream of making a Star Wars because it seems to me that the code is very codified.”
After Disney acquired the Star Wars franchise more than a decade ago, the studio was quick to hire J.J. Abrams to develop a new trilogy that would bring the galaxy far, far away to the big screen. The result was the release of Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens. The sequel starring Daisy Ridley and Adam Driver proved to be a very nostalgic narrative. The return of classic characters and plot points could be one of the reasons why Denis Villeneuve believes that the franchise is no longer full of surprises. Nonetheless, the investment has proven very profitable for Disney.
The sequel trilogy released in recent years has been a huge success at the global box office, without considering the television series that the studio has released on Disney+. And while Denis Villeneuve may not have the creative freedom to work on the Star Wars franchise, the director has turned the Dune films into huge hits. Dune: Part Two earned $714 million at the global box office this year. A third installment in the series is currently in development at Warner Bros.
What's next for Denis Villeneuve?
After Dune: Part Two became a huge hit at the global box office, Warner Bros. began working on developing a film adaptation of Dune: Messiah. The studio has not confirmed when the next installment in the franchise will hit the big screen. But it has been confirmed that Denis Villeneuve's next film will be released on December 18, 2026. It remains to be seen whether Paul Atreides' (Timothée Chalamet) journey will continue anytime soon. In the meantime, fans can't expect Villeneuve to work on the Star Wars franchise anytime soon. A third Dune film is set to be produced soon.
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