David Fincher Almost Directed a STAR WARS Movie Set After THE RISE OF SKYWALKER
When I think of directors for a Star Wars movie, David Fincher isn’t the first name that comes to mind. The acclaimed filmmaker behind Se7en, Fight Club, Zodiac, and The Social Network has built his reputation on crafting dark, methodical thrillers that explore the most unsettling corners of human nature. But believe it or not, Fincher came close to making a Star Wars film, not once, but multiple times!
Before J.J. Abrams was brought in to direct Star Wars: The Force Awakens and later The Rise of Skywalker, Lucasfilm reportedly considered Fincher for both of those projects. Now, new details have surfaced revealing that Fincher also discussed helming a separate Star Wars movie that would have taken place after The Rise of Skywalker.
According to industry insider Jeff Sneider, Fincher had conversations with Lucasfilm about directing a film set after the events of the sequel trilogy.
The story would have centered around one of the characters from that era, though it’s unclear who it would have focused on. The project ultimately fell apart when Lucasfilm refused Fincher’s request for final cut, a creative control clause that the director wasn’t willing to compromise on.
The situation feels similar to Christopher Nolan’s stalled efforts to direct a James Bond film. Like Nolan, Fincher is known for his precise visual style and tightly controlled storytelling.
Studios, on the other hand, prefer to keep the final say on franchise entries to ensure they align with the broader vision of the property and remain accessible to mass audiences. It’s funny that the executives think they know best. It’s a constant tug-of-war between artistic autonomy and brand management.
What makes Fincher’s near-collaboration with Lucasfilm especially fascinating is his long history with the company and with Kathleen Kennedy. Back in the 1980s, he worked as an assistant cameraman at Industrial Light & Magic, contributing to Star Wars: Return of the Jedi and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.
Years later, Kennedy produced Fincher’s The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, which went on to earn a Best Picture nomination. So there’s a real creative history there, one built on mutual respect and proven talent. But, not enough respect to give Fincher final cut.
If Fincher were ever to make his Star Wars debut, Lucasfilm would need to give him the level of creative freedom he demands. He’s not exactly a director who plays by studio rules, and he doesn’t need to, especially now.
Fincher is currently working on The Adventures of Cliff Booth, a follow-up to Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. With his career thriving, he’s in no rush to compromise his artistic standards for a galaxy far, far away.
Interestingly, Kennedy has recently spoken about a new direction for Star Wars films, one that focuses on standalone stories instead of massive interconnected sagas.
“We want filmmakers to come in and tell stories that interest them,” she explained earlier this year. If that approach continues, maybe there could still be a window for Fincher to bring his vision to the franchise, perhaps with a story set in a completely different corner of the galaxy where he could fully unleash his creative instincts. But, Realistically, that boat has probably sailed.
As Star Wars prepares for its cinematic comeback with The Mandalorian and Grogu, a David Fincher-directed entry is definitely something I’d be interested in seeing.