Now we Have Three Star Wars Movie Directors

What's This?

The inscrutable Josh Trank, director of the latest Star Wars spin-off, at a Hollywood event back in 2003.

Image: Amanda Edwards

By Chris Taylor2014-06-04 16:53:21 UTC

Until 2013, only three people in history had been named as the director of a Star Wars movie: the late, great Irvin Kershner, Richard Marquand, and some guy named George Lucas.

Now in the space of a year, we have another three directors set to present their on-screen visions of the Star Wars universe. The latest was announced by Lucasfilm Wednesday morning: Josh Trank, the relatively unknown director of small-scale superhero movie and teenage parable Chronicle, and the director of next year's Fantastic Four reboot.

Trank, who is a mere 30 years old, joins Godzilla director Gareth Edwards, another relative newcomer, who will also direct an unnamed spin-off movie, and of course J.J. Abrams, who just wrapped up his first location shoot in Abu Dhabi for Star Wars Episode VII.

See also: J.J. Abrams Laments 'Star Wars' Set Photos in 'Star Wars' Set Photo

Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy praised Trank as "an incredible talent" with "a great imagination and sense of innovation." Trank's statement on his appointment echoed Edwards' in its fanboy-ish glee: "The magic of the Star Wars universe defined my entire childhood. The opportunity to expand on that experience for future generations is the most incredible dream of all time."

Of course, we can only hope that Trank and Edwards won't be too reverential towards the source material. If the Star Wars universe is to survive and thrive, it needs to incorporate a bold new vision — especially in these untried, untested spin-off movies.

See also: Godzilla Guy to Direct Star Wars Spinoff Movie

Chronicle, a commercial and critical hit in 2012, has one thing in common with the original Star Wars: its low, low budget was in the realm of $12 million.

Topics: Entertainment, Film