Denis Villeneuve, the acclaimed director behind ‘Dune,’ has shared his thoughts on the ‘Star Wars’ franchise, emphasizing that he has no desire to direct a film in that universe. In a recent interview on ‘The Town’ podcast, Villeneuve reminisced about his childhood admiration for ‘Star Wars,’ particularly George Lucas’ original trilogy. Despite his early obsession, he believes that the franchise lost its way with the release of ‘Return of the Jedi’ in 1983.
Villeneuve explained that as a 10-year-old, he was captivated by ‘Star Wars.’ He fondly recalled how ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ was a film he eagerly anticipated and watched numerous times, leaving a lasting impression on him. However, his enthusiasm waned after ‘Return of the Jedi,’ which he feels derailed the franchise’s trajectory. He expressed frustration over the film’s tone, particularly the inclusion of Ewoks, which he found to be more comedic than epic.
According to Villeneuve, the ‘Star Wars’ mythology has since become rigid and formulaic, lacking the surprises that once captivated audiences. He stated, ‘It’s crystalized in its own mythology, very dogmatic,’ suggesting that the magic of unpredictability has vanished from the series. As a result, he has no aspirations to work within this franchise, nor is he interested in directing ‘Star Trek,’ asserting, ‘I’m not a Trekkie.’
Despite his disinterest in these iconic franchises, Villeneuve has established himself as a significant figure in the sci-fi genre through his work on ‘Dune.’ He is currently in the process of developing a third installment based on Frank Herbert’s novel ‘Dune Messiah.’ Villeneuve indicated that this upcoming film will not simply be a continuation of a trilogy but will possess its own distinct identity. He remarked on the challenges of aging up the cast, which includes stars like Timothee Chalamet and Zendaya, but assured listeners that he has a plan in place.
‘If I do a third one, it’s to do something that feels different and has its own identity,’ Villeneuve said, hinting at an exciting future for his interpretation of Herbert’s universe. Fans of ‘Dune’ can look forward to a continuation that respects the original source material while exploring new narrative avenues. For further insights, listeners can tune into Villeneuve’s full interview on ‘The Town’ podcast.
