It may surprise some that Denis Villeneuve, the director of Dune, one of the biggest names in cinematic sci-fi in recent years, has no interest in being involved in any of that, given Lucasfilm’s haphazard approach to announcing Star Wars film projects that may or may not end up hitting theaters. His justifications, however, are a startling blend of rationality and a nearly laudable pettiness.
Villeneuve recently discussed the likelihood that he would ever literally jump from Arrakis to Tatooine in an interview with The Town podcast, saying, “Star Wars became crystallized in its own mythology, very dogmatic, it seemed like a recipe, no more surprises.” He said and added. “So it feels like code is very codified, so I’m not dreaming of doing a Star Wars.”
Perhaps the more sympathetic side of Villeneuve’s repulsion is that in and of itself. With few notable exceptions, Star Wars has resorted to less challenging ideas of itself and more inwardly to the familiarity of what has worked and been explored before as it attempts to navigate its post-Rise of Skywalker reality—arguably even earlier than that, as it weathered the divisive reaction to The Last Jedi. It’s easy to understand why Villeneuve would believe that offers less opportunity for experimenting than something like what he’s been able to accomplish with the adaptation of i, given that obligation to that familiarity heavily shapes the franchise’s future.
“The Empire Strikes Back is the movie that I anticipated the most in my life. I saw the movie a billion times onscreen. I was traumatized by The Empire Strikes Back. I adore Star Wars,” Villeneuve explained. “The problem is that it all derailed in 1983 with Return of the Jedi… it’s a long story. I was 15 years old, and my best friend and I wanted to take a cab and go to L.A. and talk to George Lucas—we were so angry! Still today, the Ewoks. It turned out to be a comedy for kids.”
Whoa, Denis, what did Wicket do to you? One may assume that Villeneuve’s fascination with a series that can accomplish new things and occupy diverse tones would be sparked by Star Wars‘ ability to go from the darker traumas of Empire into the lighter tones of Return. Unfortunately, Villeneuve continues to believe that his youthful self outgrew the galaxy far, far away. Thus, he is avoiding it.
Frankly, I don’t believe he’s a good fit for Star Wars’ fun and pulpy vibe. I think he would fit in a lot better with something like Alien than Star Wars, even though I know everyone takes it exceptionally seriously these days.
In the meantime, perhaps don’t expect to see any tiny, fluffy freedom fighters in his upcoming Dune film.
Do you think Villeneuve would make a good Star Wars movie?
(Via Variety)