Brick and Looper director Rian Johnson
recently appeared on the TalkHouse podcast with fellow director Terry Gilliam to
discuss the latter theatrical release of The Zero Theorem, but also to talk
about writing and directing Star Wars: Episode VIII, and taking of the mantle
for George Lucas.
Taking "over someone else's
world" must be tricky and nerve wreaking thing, especially one so well
known and loved, but so far Johnson is like a kid in a candy store.
"I'm just starting into it, but
so far it's been nothing but…honestly, it’s the most fun I’ve ever had writing.
It's just joyous."
In a previous interview, the director confessed that
he is a long time fan of the franchise and that he used to play with Star Wars
toys when he was a kid, and like many kids when playing, he used to imagine
stories.
"The first movies I was
making in my head were part of this world, so part of it is a direct connection
- it's almost like an automatic jacking-in into childhood in a weird way."
Gilliam, who didn't have a clue that Johnson was
writing and directing Star Wars: Episode VIII and maybe IX as well, asked if
George Lucas was going to keep an watchful eye over Johnson. The director
reminded that Lucas has nothing to do with the new trilogy and spin-offs, and
added he's trying to bring the feel of the original trilogy back while telling
his own story.
"I'm figuring it out as I go.
I'm dancing on top of the avalanche a little bit. But it's a challenge of
remembering what inspires you about [the original films], but I think you can
probably go to the wrong place by feeling too responsible to it. You have to
keep your head loose enough to tell a story you actually care about."
Being in charge of such a big and iconic franchise
must come with a ton of responsibilities and obligations, but Johnson shakes
them off.
"Well, that’s been the great
thing about it —Kathleen and her whole creative team have been so insistent on
all the filmmakers they’ve been hiring for these new movies: ‘We want you to
take it and turn it into something that you really care about.’ And we’ll see
how the process plays out, but so far, that’s a big part of the reason I’m
[doing the film]. Because that just seems like their attitude towards it. It’s
really exciting actually."
No release dates have yet been scheduled
for Star Wars: Episodes VIII and IX.
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