Directing a Star Wars movie is no ordinary gig. The first film after George Lucas's original six had to satisfy longtime fans while introducing fresh faces who could carry a new trilogy. Whoever took the reins would also inherit decades of expectations about what a galaxy far, far away should look and feel like.
J.J. Abrams ultimately stepped up for The Force Awakens, bringing the saga back to theaters on December 18, 2015. The movie paired Daisy Ridley's Rey and John Boyega's Finn with returning favorites like Harrison Ford's Han Solo, setting up a new conflict with the First Order. But before Abrams signed on, another established filmmaker had the chance to consider that first trip back.
Ben Affleck has now confirmed that Lucasfilm approached him about directing The Force Awakens, and he turned it down because he didn't think he was the right fit. Speaking with Josh Horowitz on Happy Sad Confused, Affleck admitted he enjoys Star Wars but felt the job required someone with a deeper connection to the franchise. "Someone who has more passion for this is going to do a better job," he explained.
Why Affleck Passed on the Galaxy Far, Far Away
Affleck's reasoning was straightforward. Lucasfilm asked if he was interested, and he weighed whether his enthusiasm would be enough to make the movie work. "I thought, 'I like Star Wars, and I'm a fan, but I'm not the person to direct this movie,'" he recalled. It's an honest distinction from a filmmaker who could have seen the opportunity's size as reason enough to accept.
He also questioned what he could bring to a franchise with such a defined identity. Affleck said he didn't know if he could make a great Star Wars film or reinvent it, pointing to the difficulty of that task. His concern was about delivering, even with a property he enjoyed. Liking the movies didn't give him an immediate answer on how to make the next one.
Looking back, Affleck noted that the challenge has persisted for those who did take it on. "It hasn't been easy for them to reinvent that franchise," he said, while acknowledging some have done well. He pointed to a fan base with strong opinions, something any director entering Star Wars must contend with. His comments don't single out any particular movie or filmmaker as the problem.
Abrams directed The Force Awakens and later returned for The Rise of Skywalker. The next trip to a galaxy far, far away hits theaters May 28, 2027, with Shawn Levy's Starfighter. For more on Affleck's recent work, check out how his latest film is performing on Netflix and its critical reception.
