Denis Villeneuve directed one of the biggest sci-fi blockbusters since Star Wars, but he doesn’t care to join the galaxy far, far away. Though the first film inspired him, Villeneuve never forgave the franchise for Return of the Jedi. On The Town podcast, the Dune director claimed that George Lucas’s trilogy “became crystallized in its own mythology.” Villeneuve dismissed Star Wars as a “recipe” with “no more surprises.”
Denis Villeneuve exploded into English-language success with a triple shot of terrific thrillers. Prisoners, Enemy, and Sicario dropped jaws and left audiences begging for more. Against all odds, Villeneuve pivoted hard and became one of the biggest names in science fiction adaptations. Arrival, Blade Runner: 2049, and Dune reveal a deep love and understanding of the genre, establishing Villeneuve as one of its best students.
Denis Villeneuve Quit Star Wars After Return of the Jedi
Two directors go out into the desert with a head full of classic sci-fi and a dream, but they come home with very different movies. The original Star Wars awakened something in 10-year-old Denis Villeneuve, even now stating, “I adore Star Wars.” Villeneuve probably felt kinship with 1970s George Lucas as he braved the heat in Jordan. To paraphrase Lucas, it’s like poetry; it rhymes. Unfortunately, the Force lost its hold on Villeneuve when he saw Return of the Jedi at 15. He characterized the controversial third entry as “a comedy for kids” before digging into deeper critiques. Villeneuve’s most brutal take is that the once-magical world of Star Wars “feels like code.” You can unquestionably find some of Star Wars in Villeneuve’s take on Dune. You can’t find any Return of the Jedi.
Star Wars isn’t the only multi-billion-dollar franchise to earn Villeneuve’s ire. In the same interview, he admitted a lack of interest in the Star Trek universe. Beyond science fiction, Villeneuve is one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s most vocal critics. Speaking to El Mundo (via The Direct), Villeneuve characterized the Marvel movies as “cut and paste” jobs. Beyond that, the director suggested that the glut of superhero cinema may “have turned us into zombies a bit.” The MCU is a common target for visionary directors, most notably Martin Scorsese. Though Villeneuve has no time for Disney’s biggest acquisitions, the Dune director still has endless hope for the blockbuster cinema scene. Citing Christopher Nolan and Alfonso Cuarón, Villeneuve eagerly supports “big and expensive movies of great value.” He would certainly know, given his experience with one of the finest examples in decades.
For all the negativity he expresses, Villeneuve is a champion of blockbuster cinema. He loves big-screen entertainment as much as he loves making it. Villeneuve has no patience for Star Wars or Marvel, but his heart clearly remains open. I do, however, really want to know what he thought of Andor.
