DIRECTOR NEWS & RUMOR

George Lucas will direct Episode I, and Directors have not been selected for Episodes II & III

9/6/97 - Brent Lynch found something in Variety that may shed light on the Frank Darabont rumor AND give us a little idea about how cool the film will be:

The Force is intact

George Lucas once considered hiring ``Shawshank Redemption'' writer-director Frank Darabont to script the first of the new ''Star Wars'' films. After Lucas wrote it himself, he asked Darabont to take a look and give him criticism. In these days of scripts rewritten umpteen times, Darabont's response was unusual. ``I had nothing to tell him, not one idea,'' said Darabont. ``I said I wouldn't change a single damn word, and I hope he didn't.''

9/3/97 - From the Prequel Watch chat with True Fan:

Q: Any word on directors for Ep. II or III?

Truefan: Not at this time. Just a few names thrown around, but nothing is solid at this point...and NO Spielberg.

8/14/97 - After our report about Fincher yesterday, Eric Mohler and Shane Peterson pointed out some important facts to us. First off, we already know who the second unit director is from the Official Page's Sandstorm report. It is Roger Christian. Second, Fincher already has another project lined up that would prevent him from working on Star Wars - The Sky is Falling. So, it seems safe to say that the Internet Movie Database made a boo-boo there. Somebody should tell them. How about you? :)

8/13/97 - We were cruising through the Internet Movie Database yesterday and noticed something. David Fincher is listed as a second unit director on the prequels! Is this right? What is a major motion picture director (he directed Alien 3 and Seven) doing as a second unit director on the prequels? This is the first we've heard of this. We heard that he was in the running for Episode 2 or 3, but this was news. Hmmm! However, if it is true, it might not be so strange. After all, he did work on Return of the Jedi and Temple of Doom. Maybe he is doing it out of a love for Star Wars (like Samuel Jackson taking a bit part.) Also, and keep in mind that this is pure speculation on our part, not based in fact, and anyone who says it is fact is a moron, but maybe George is training him for directing a full prequel. Hmmm! But keep in mind that IMDB also says they have the prequel plot, which is complete and utter Bantha poodoo. Stay Tuned!

7/27/97 - As many loyal readers, such as Landon, have pointed out, George Lucas did not say Steven Speilberg would not be directing any of the other Star Wars films. The question asked at the press conference was whether or not Spielberg would be directing Episodes 2 AND 3, to which George said 'No'. So there is still an outside chance Spielly will be be doing one. George never denied it....from a certain point of view. :)

7/25/97 - George Lucas said at a press conference in Caserta Italy that Steven Spielberg would not be directing one of the new films.

7/11/97 - No Irvin Kershner?

We have heard from one of our reliable sources that Irvin Kershner was a good bet to direct one of the films (likely #2). However, today we received a note from another very reliable source who is working somewhere really important where he is in a position to know but I can't say where because he could get fired if it was learned that he leaked this. He says that the scuttlebutt around there is that Kershner will not have anything to do with the prequels. Reasons are:
He is getting too old to direct much anymore
PR problems (something to do with telling Steven Spielberg what to do with himself -ed)
Our source (who wishes to remain anonymous) points out that this most likely means that Spielberg has it wrapped up. (Score one on the prediction meter for me (Darin), though I would *much* rather see Kershner direct it than Dino-boy.)

6/10/97 - The following comes from Mr. Showbiz who got it from Entertainment Weekly. (Brian Linder sent it to us):

Steven Spielberg May Helm a Star Wars Prequel

Steven Spielberg may be taking steps to ensure his position as the highest-grossing filmmaker of all time. Entertainment Weekly reports that Spielberg will likely direct the second installment of George Lucas's Star Wars prequel trilogy. And Irvin Kershner--the magazine's source--is in a position to know. Kershner directed The Empire Strikes Back, the number two film in the original trilogy. "George told me that he believes Spielberg is going to do [part 2]," Kershner said. "He might do it for the money, because it'll be a sure thing," the seventy-four-year-old director added. The first of the prequels, rumored to be titled Star Wars: The Balance of the Force, is headed for production this September, but don't expect to see it in theaters until May 1999.

Frank Darabont, the screenwriter, will most likely direct the second prequel. (Please note that Rick McCallum, the producer of the prequels, has denied that Frank Darabont is even working on the prequels)

For the third prequel, directors being considered are David Fincher (Alien 3, Seven), Irvin Kershner (ESB), and Francis Ford Copploa. The final decision will be made in 1998.

There is also a rumor going around that Steven Speilberg has offered to direct for free in order to get Dreamworks the rights to distribute the Trilogy

However, another rumor states that 20th Century Fox will definitely distribute the prequels and the last trilogy.

UPDATE by IMPERIAL SPY JAY MAJER

This appeared in today's Daily Variety (10/15/96):

DON'T FORCE THE FORCE: That George Lucas wanted to direct the first "Star Wars" prequel hasn't been front page news since Dish revealed it in 1994.

What's new is that Lucas is straying from the widely speculated notion that he'll release his new Jedi films over three consecutive years.

Lucas toyed with the idea of shooting the new trilogy back-to-back-to-back. He's writing the scripts for all three, but will shoot the first one separately. Then he'll take a breather and do the second and third back-to-back.

That means instead of consecutive years, the films will likely be released in 1999, 2001 and 2003.

Lucas still hasn't decided where to place the films, but is giving Fox -- which released the original trilogy and will re-release the digitally enhanced, fully restored trio starting Jan. 31 -- first shot at making the distribution deal.

LUCAS TO DIRECT FIRST PREQUEL FILM!!!!

This is brought to you by our spy, Jay Majer:

This showed up on the Hollywood Reporter web site today. Usually the version at the news stand has more detailed articles. I'll check on that later today.

"Lucas keeping the Force with him" - More than two decades after "Star Wars" rewrote the box-office record books and ushered in the era of special effects megamovies, George Lucas will make his return to feature film directing. Lucas confirmed Wednesday that he will direct as well as produce the first installment of his three "Star Wars" prequels, which are set to go into production in fall 1997. The first of three "Star Wars" "prequels" planned by Lucas will essentially be the first chapter in the "Star Wars" story, documenting the background of the main characters through an exploration of their family roots. Lucas has begun circulating among his intimates a first draft of the script, which one insider said was sure to make for some eye-popping cinema, with numerous computer-generated characters. "It's practically an animated movie," the observer noted. (Paula Parisi)

Visit The Hollywood Reporter Homepage to see the article or other entertainment news!