10 Directors Who Turned Down Star Wars Movies

While the more rational Star Wars fans were able to look past his recent affiliation with Star Trek and see the positives in his appointment, J.J. Abrams was not a popular choice with many when he was confirmed as director The Force Awakens. Things were righted when it became clear that Abrams favoured practical effects where possible, and the result was the best Star Wars film since The Empire Strikes Back 35 years previous.

However, while the man who got the current phase off to the start it sorely needed was the obvious choice when it came to picking someone to helm Episodes VIII and IX, Abrams decided against seeing out the whole trilogy due to extreme production schedule. It was a decision that part of him came to regret, however.

Abram's lifelong friend Greg Grunberg (who played X-Wing pilot Snap Wexley in The Force Awakens) revealed that the director felt an unusual pang of regret when he read the screenplay for the upcoming Episode VIII. According to the actor, Abrams said the script for Episode VIII was so good that he wished that he were the one making it, though at that point he had long since handed over the reins to Rian Johnson.

Would you have liked to have seen any of these directors take on Star Wars? Have your say down in the comments.