Denis Villeneuve, widely regarded as one of the most accomplished science fiction directors in modern cinema, has openly addressed his lack of interest in directing projects for the iconic Star Wars or Star Trek franchises. Despite his critically acclaimed work in films like Dune and Arrival, Villeneuve has made it clear that he prefers to focus on his own creative visions rather than stepping into established universes.

Criticism of Star Wars Evolution

During a recent interview on The Town podcast, Villeneuve expressed his disenchantment with the Star Wars franchise, particularly with its creative direction after the release of The Empire Strikes Back. Reflecting on his experience as a fan during his teenage years, he said:

“The franchise derailed in 1983 with Return of the Jedi. The inclusion of the Ewoks made it feel like a comedy for kids, and Star Wars became crystallized in its own mythology, very dogmatic, like a recipe with no more surprises.”

Villeneuve revealed that, as a devoted fan of the original Star Wars, he and his friend were so upset with the tonal shift in Return of the Jedi that they fantasized about traveling to Los Angeles to confront George Lucas, the creator of the saga. While his admiration for The Empire Strikes Back remains intact—he still considers it the pinnacle of the series—his frustrations with the creative trajectory that followed have extinguished his desire to be involved with the franchise.

No Attachment to Star Trek

Villeneuve’s stance on Star Trek is even more decisive. Speaking in the same interview, he admitted:

“I’m not a Trekkie.”

Unlike his early love for Star Wars, Villeneuve revealed that he has no strong emotional connection to the Star Trek universe. He acknowledged that J.J. Abrams successfully rebooted Star Trek in 2009 despite not being a lifelong fan, but he has no plans to follow a similar path.

A Focus on Personal Projects

Villeneuve has made it clear that his current priority is his Dune series. Having already delivered two chapters of the epic adaptation, Villeneuve is now working on Dune Messiah, which he intends to be the final installment of his trilogy. His commitment to adapting the world created by Frank Herbert has earned widespread acclaim, with many critics praising his ability to bring a fresh perspective to science fiction.

Villeneuve explained his affinity for creating original or reimagined works rather than contributing to pre-established cinematic universes, stating that it allows him to explore new ideas without being constrained by existing lore or expectations.

Early Star Wars Obsession

Villeneuve’s love for Star Wars began when he was 10 years old, with the release of the original movie in 1977. He described the experience as life-changing:

“The first movie was a silver bullet for me. It turned me into an obsessed fan overnight.”

His excitement reached new heights with The Empire Strikes Back, which he considers a defining moment in his appreciation for storytelling and filmmaking. However, his disappointment with the tonal and thematic changes introduced in Return of the Jedi significantly impacted his perception of the franchise.

Star Wars’ Future Without Villeneuve

While Villeneuve continues to shape modern science fiction through his distinctive storytelling, the Star Wars and Star Trek franchises remain under the stewardship of other filmmakers. Disney and Lucasfilm are set to release new Star Wars projects starting in 2026, with directors like Jon Favreau, Simon Kinberg, and James Mangold at the helm. These creators aim to expand the galaxy far, far away while ensuring its legacy endures for future generations.

Villeneuve, meanwhile, has cemented his place as a director who prioritizes artistic independence and originality. For fans of his work, this means more unique films that push the boundaries of storytelling in science fiction, even if they don’t include the universes of Star Wars or Star Trek.

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