We might be seeing Chloé Zhao stepping into theStar Warsuniverse. Just recently, the new movieEternalspremiered in theaters, marking the latest release from theNomadlanddirector. With the movie now playing on the big screen, new rumors have emerged via One Take News that Zhao is either “very close” to signing on, or has already signed on, to direct a newStar Warsmovie for Kevin Feige. The unconfirmed news has not been officially addressed by Zhao or Marvel at this time.
While this is not yet verified, the idea ofChloé Zhaopotentially directing Feige’sStar Warsmovie makes a lot of sense. Zhao has been very open about her desire to direct aStar Warsmovie if given the opportunity, even speaking about it recently while promotingEternals. In an interview with The Playlist last month, Zhao said she would direct theStar Warsmovie that Feige is developing, and she said he would “do anything Kevin asked me to do.”
In a separate interview with Uproxx, Zhao added, “Look, I’ll be lucky if I get toplay in the Star Wars universe. But, as you know, again, just like the MCU, the universe is so grand with so many incredible characters. And I think if I ever get the chance, it’s got to be the right story, the right character.”
We also know thatKevin Feigehas had some very high praise for Chloé Zhao, which led to her getting the job directingEternals. Per Rolling Stone, Feige described the filmmaker’s pitch forEternalsas the best he’d ever heard. These discussions have also convinced Feige that Zhao had plenty else to offer outside ofEternals, which also could have led to further talks about having Zhao come in to direct aStar Warsproject.
“Not only does [Zhao] make remarkable, small, personal movies in a remarkable, small, personal way, but she thinks in grand, cosmic, gigantic terms, which fit perfectly with what we wanted to do.Eternalsis a very big, sweeping, multimillennial-spanning story. And she just got it,” Feige said.
An official announcement as to who will direct Kevin Feige’sStar Warsmovie has not been made, though the screenwriter was previously revealed. Michael Waldron, whose writing credits includeLokiand the upcoming sequelDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, is on board to pen theStar Warsscript. No details have yet been announced about the plot or any potential characters from theStar Warsuniverse who might appear.
This project is separate from anotherStar Warsmovie in development which already has its director. Taika Waititi is also planning to direct aStar Warsfilm using a screenplay he’s co-writing with Krysty Wilson-Cairns. Meanwhile, several new projects from the universe will also be developed for the small screen with moreStar Warsshows heading to Disney+. That includes another season ofThe Mandalorian, which is now in production, along with spinoff shows likeThe Book of Boba Fett, which just recently had a new trailer released. The rumors of Zhao directingStar Warscome to us fromOne Take News.
