Colin Trevorrow is out as director of Star Wars: Episode IX. Uh…yay? Nay? May-bay? That’s what we tried to answer on today’s Nerdist News Talks Back, along with whether Lucasfilm is in trouble, and what to make Rian Johnson’s recent comments about The Last Jedi.
Joining host Jessica Chobot on set for a Star Wars-centric show today were three people she’d never have creative differences with, Mothership writer Amy Vorpahl, Nerdist News writer Aliza Pearl, and Jessica’s Bizarre States co-host Andrew Bowser. They started with the big news of the week, Lucasfilm losing/firing/mutually agreeing to part ways with yet another director. But is losing Colin Trevorrow actually good news? And even if it is, should we be worried that almost every new Star Wars movie has seemingly had major problems during production? Is that a sign the studio should ease up on its insane schedule?
Of course, Episode IX needs a director now, so who among the rumored names under consideration would be the best choice? Is a potential second go with The Last Jedi director Rian Johnson–whose shoot has been problem-free–the way to go, or even a double dip with (replacement) Young Han Solo director Ron Howard? Or is there a first-time candidate they should bring on instead?
No matter how the latest director problem gets solved, and even if something good comes out of it, are these continuing problems an indictment of the job Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy is doing? Or is she rightfully holding the line on Disney’s vision for Star Wars?
Meanwhile, we’re just a few months away from The Last Jedi‘s release, and Rian Johnson had some interesting comments about the movie, like how Kylo Ren isn’t on a Vader level yet. Does that mean we should expect a redemption arc for him? And what to make of Johnson’s comments that we won’t learn much about Snoke in the film? Does anyone care about “definitely-not-as-awesome-as Palpatine” Snoke, or for that matter any other secrets we didn’t get answers to in The Force Awakens?
While we wait for new Last Jedi trailers to hold us over until December, remember you can get in on the discussion with us every weekday, when Nerdist News Talks Back airs live at 1:00p.m. PST on our YouTube and Alpha channels.
It’s a far more stable place to hang out than a director’s chair on a Star Wars set.
What do you make of this week’s news from the galaxy far, far away? Hit the hyperdrive on your keyboard and let us know what you think in the comments below.
Want more Star Wars talk?
- New comic reveals how Captain Phasma survived The Force Awakens.
- Nine directors who Lucasfilm should hire for Episode IX.
- The detail you missed in Snoke’s Force Friday toy.
- What does Luke’s new dark look mean?
Images: Lucasfilm
