Denis Villeneuve, the acclaimed director of ‘Dune,’ has shared his thoughts on the ‘Star Wars’ franchise during a recent interview on ‘The Town’ podcast. While he has fond memories of the original ‘Star Wars’ films, he reveals that he has no interest in directing a movie within that universe. Villeneuve cites ‘Return of the Jedi,’ which was released in 1983, as the turning point that derailed the franchise for him. He recalls being a young fan, deeply affected by the original trilogy, particularly ‘The Empire Strikes Back,’ which left a lasting impression on him. However, he expresses disappointment with the direction the franchise took after ‘Return of the Jedi,’ describing it as having become overly formulaic and predictable. ‘Star Wars’ has become ‘crystalized in its own mythology,’ he says, lacking the surprises that initially drew him in.
In addition to his feelings about ‘Star Wars,’ Villeneuve also addressed his lack of interest in the ‘Star Trek’ franchise, stating, ‘I’m not a Trekkie.’ Despite this, many regard him as a significant figure in the science fiction genre, particularly due to his work on ‘Dune.’ He is currently working on a sequel, ‘Dune Messiah,’ which is based on Frank Herbert’s second novel in the Dune series. Villeneuve emphasizes that while he is in the process of writing a third film, it won’t simply be a continuation of a trilogy but will aim to have its own unique identity. ‘Dune Messiah’ is set 12 years after the events of the first film, and Villeneuve acknowledges the challenge of aging up the young cast, which includes Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya. However, he is confident in his ability to navigate this transition as he continues to develop his vision for the next installment in the Dune saga. Villeneuve’s candid remarks highlight the evolving landscape of science fiction cinema and his commitment to creating original narratives within it.
