‘Eternals’ Director Will Not Be Helming Kevin Feige's ‘Star Wars’ Movie After All
Despite rumors swirling earlier in the month leading into the release of Marvel's Eternals, Academy award winning director Chloe Zhao was tapped to direct an untitled and unknown Star Wars project for Kevin Feige. Zhao herself stated she would like the chance to work within the franchise, going so far as to say she has reverence for the franchise. However, critical and fan displeasure for the recent Marvel movie may have shelved those plans for now.
As reported from numerous sources earlier in the week, Zhao was the newest director to work on an as yet to be clarified Star Wars movie from Kevin Feige and written by Michael Waldron, the head writer and executive producer for the Disney+ series Loki. The original decision to have Chloe Zhao direct a new Star Wars movie really heated up when the Rogue Squadron project was shelved indefinitely due to director Patty Jenkins’ commitment to other projects. It was then decided that Feige's project could be moved up to late 2022 or early 2023 to fill the void.
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Critics and fans alike were critical of The Eternals and whether Chloe Zhao could handle large scale worlds and worldbuilding like the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), and by extension the Star Wars Universe. Many believe Zhao, while a great director, should tell smaller stories in a grander style then trying to offer her entry into a bigger scope. The Star Wars and Marvel fanbase can certainly be rabid with their properties if people do not get what they want. There is precedent for people to be leery about first-time directors or directors who fail to perform up to expectations. All you need to do is look at the Rian Johnson's entry for Star Wars: Episode VIII- The Last Jedi and how fans felt it was a departure from what was expected, which led to J.J. Abrams being brought back in as director for Episode IX. With the announcement earlier this week that Lucasfilm head Kathleen Kennedy has signed on for another three years she may have seen other opportunities within the franchise or other directions to take. Thus, bringing Chloe Zhao in to direct a potential new tentpole in the galaxy far, far away is not something Kennedy wants to leave as a legacy.
If I was to suggest something, Chloe Zhao could direct a movie within the Star Wars universe. I think giving her a spin-off from the main characters such as taking the reins to some Mandalorian episodes in season 3, or perhaps expanding one of the successful Star Wars: Visions shorts like “The Duel” to a larger format may be good for her.
As for Feige's Star Wars project, its content has yet to be decided. Given Feige's love of the series and Waldron’s unique writing style and his ability to build a world around a solitary idea like a trickster god trying to navigate through time, fans are excited for what is to come despite Zhao’s involvement.
On the flip side, The Eternals will fit as Star Wars content if you look at it on its own and not as a part of a larger cinematic universe. Elements like grand scenery, complex characters with deeply ingrained issues, visually stunning effects, in-depth world building, beings from another world, and the potential for merchandising are a common bond between the MCU and the Star Wars universe. If Feige is a fan, then certainly he would be eyeing some of the legacy work or even bringing the Knights of the Old Republic franchise to the big screen (or Disney+ screen). The Eternals certainly seem like something you can use to draw some inspiration from for now. As with all things Disney, no door is ever really closed for sure, even for directors.
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Source(s): CBR