20 Things You Didn't Know About Star Wars: The Force Awakens

18. Brad Bird Almost Directed It

Star Wars The Force Awakens Kylo Ren Finn Rey.jpg
Disney

Many, many directors were considered to direct the film at various points before J.J. Abrams won out, including Jon Favreau, Guillermo del Toro, Matthew Vaughn, and even David Fincher, yet there was only ever one candidate who got seriously close to helming it instead of Abrams.

And that's The Incredibles and Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol director Brad Bird, who was the top choice to take the gig, yet was forced to turn it down due to his commitments to his own blockbuster project, Tomorrowland.

It's easy to see how Bird would've been a snug, inspired choice to update Star Wars for a new generation, and considering that Tomorrowland was ultimately a critical and commercial bust, one can't help but wonder if he's ever second-guessed turning The Force Awakens down.

Needless to say, he'd still be a great pick to direct any future Star Wars film.

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Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.