Denis Villeneuve has dismissed rumors suggesting that he might direct a Star Wars film for Lucasfilm. During an appearance on Matt Belloni’s podcast, Villeneuve revealed that he lost interest in the franchise long ago, citing that it has not been the same since 1983’s ‘Return of the Jedi.’ Villeneuve reminisced about his childhood obsession with Star Wars, particularly ‘The Empire Strikes Back,’ which he watched countless times. However, he believes the franchise lost its magic after 1983, expressing disappointment in the Ewoks and describing the franchise as becoming overly formulaic and predictable. While some fans agree with Villeneuve, many still defend the original trilogy and even the prequels, which were originally met with criticism. In recent discussions, actors from the prequel trilogy, like Hayden Christensen, have noted a resurgence of appreciation for those films, suggesting that nostalgia plays a significant role in this reevaluation. Lucas himself has expressed pride in his work and disagreed with the negative feedback the prequels received. The ongoing discourse about Star Wars continues to polarize fans, highlighting the complexities of nostalgia and cinematic legacy.
