Renowned filmmaker Denis Villeneuve, known for his work on ‘Dune,’ has expressed his mixed feelings about the ‘Star Wars’ franchise during a recent interview on ‘The Town’ podcast. Although he grew up as a fan of the original trilogy, he has no desire to direct a ‘Star Wars’ film, attributing this to the impact of ‘Return of the Jedi’ in 1983. Villeneuve recalls being captivated by the original films, particularly ‘The Empire Strikes Back,’ which left a lasting impression on him as a child.
Reflecting on his childhood, Villeneuve stated, ‘I was the target audience. I was 10 years old. It went to my brain like a silver bullet. I became obsessed with ‘Star Wars.’ However, he noted that the franchise took a turn with ‘Return of the Jedi,’ which he felt transformed the series into a formulaic narrative devoid of surprises. He expressed frustration over the direction the series has taken, lamenting the inclusion of elements like the Ewoks, which he believed catered too much to a young audience.
The director articulated that the franchise has become ‘crystalized in its own mythology,’ suggesting that the creativity associated with the original films has been replaced by a rigid structure that lacks innovation. ‘I’m not dreaming to do a ‘Star Wars’ because it feels like the code is very codified,’ he remarked.
Additionally, Villeneuve dismissed any interest in directing a ‘Star Trek’ film, stating, ‘I’m not a Trekkie.’ Instead, he is focused on expanding his own cinematic universe, particularly with the development of a third ‘Dune’ movie, which will adapt Frank Herbert’s sequel, ‘Dune Messiah.’ He emphasized that this upcoming film would not simply be a continuation of a trilogy but rather aim to offer a unique identity and perspective.
Set 12 years after the original ‘Dune,’ the new film will require aging up the cast, which includes young stars like Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya. Villeneuve has expressed confidence in his ability to adapt the characters appropriately, although he has not revealed specific details about how this will be achieved.
Villeneuve’s insights into both ‘Star Wars’ and his future projects highlight his dedication to storytelling and his desire to create films that resonate with audiences in a meaningful way. As he continues to develop ‘Dune Messiah,’ many fans eagerly await his next step in the science fiction genre.
