10 Directors Who Said NO To Star Wars

George Lucas completely changed the game back in 1977, unleashing a thrilling space opera unlike anything anyone had ever seen before. And in the decades since that first Star Wars picture arrived in theatres and blew the minds of children and adults alike, folks have continued coming back for subsequent Episodes, spin-offs, TV shows, and more.

It's a powerful and magical series that has consistently inspired both audiences and creatives, with many of the latter actually going on to craft their own exciting tales. 

You'd think, then, that just about any director on planet earth would jump at the chance to play in that glorious sandbox originally built by Lucas all those years ago.

But that's not always the case.

For a whole host of different reasons, some of the most talented and respected filmmakers in our own galaxy - many of them being huge Star Wars fans themselves - have either rejected the opportunity to jump to hyperspace or taken themselves out of the running before a film was even offered to them.

Some directors simply fell out of love with a franchise they once adored, others just didn't have the time to steer this particular space ship. Whatever the reason, when the idea of directing a Star Wars movie came up, this lot all responded with a "no."

Quentin Tarantino movies are known for many things.

Graphic violence, brilliant dialogue - a lot of feet - but they're not what you'd class as "family-friendly" pictures.

Still, if the legendary filmmaker fancied having a go at making a new Episode or spin-off story for the ever-growing galaxy far, far away, there's a good chance it would be one of the most compelling, jaw-dropping, and singular Star Wars projects to date.

However, based on how Tarantino reacted when asked about the idea of directing a future story within the franchise a decade or so ago, it'd be wise not to get one's hopes up about the prospect.

When asked by Entertainment Weekly (via Vanity Fair) about taking over from George Lucas for the then-upcoming sequel movies, the Pulp Fiction director responded with a blunt "I could so care less,” before following those words with "No, sorry. Especially if Disney’s going to do it. I’m not interested in the Simon West version of Star Wars."

Tell us how you really feel Quentin.

Tarantino also infamously ranted about Disney forcing the Cineramadome to play Episode VII - The Force Awakens instead of The Hateful Eight, with the mega-company apparently threatening to not let that theatre or any other ArcLight cinemas show the film if they insisted on honouring their contract to play Tarantino's movie. So, this "no" to Star Wars probably won't be changing any time soon.