David Fincher Almost Made a Star Wars Movie Set After The Rise of Skywalker (After Almost Directing Episodes 7 & 9)

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David Fincher is a highly acclaimed director, but he’s not someone you’d immediately think of for a Star Wars film. He’s known for dark, complex movies like Se7en, Fight Club, Zodiac, and The Social Network – a style quite different from the usual Star Wars feel. His experience with the Alien franchise, Alien 3, was also complicated by studio meddling. Despite this, Lucasfilm actually considered Fincher to direct both The Force Awakens and The Rise of Skywalker before ultimately choosing J.J. Abrams. Now, new information has surfaced about another Star Wars project Fincher pitched that never moved forward.

According to industry insider Jeff Sneider’s latest newsletter, David Fincher talked with Lucasfilm about directing a future Star Wars movie, taking place after The Rise of Skywalker. The potential film would have focused on a character from the sequel trilogy, though it’s unclear who. The project didn’t move forward because Lucasfilm wouldn’t grant Fincher final cut – the ability to have the final say on the finished film.

Could David Fincher Ever Direct a Star Wars Movie?

This situation is similar to Christopher Nolan’s experience trying to direct a James Bond film. Producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson wouldn’t give him final cut – the last say on how the movie was made – and he ultimately didn’t direct one. Both sides had reasonable points. Directors like Nolan and David Fincher have strong, individual filmmaking styles and want complete creative control. However, studios overseeing a franchise need to ensure each film aligns with the overall vision and appeals to a broad audience, which is why they typically retain final cut.

David Fincher has a long-standing relationship with Lucasfilm and Kathleen Kennedy. He began his career in the 1980s as an assistant cameraman at Industrial Light & Magic, contributing to films like 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 received an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture. Because of this history, it makes sense that Lucasfilm would consider Fincher for the sequel trilogy. Kennedy is familiar with his talent, and it will be interesting to see if they explore a collaboration in the future.

As a film buff, the idea of David Fincher directing a Star Wars movie is exciting, but it hinges on one big thing: final cut. Honestly, I can’t see Fincher, a director known for his very specific style and control, ever agreeing to let the studio have the final say. The guy’s a perfectionist! And he’s certainly not hurting for work – he’s currently developing The Adventures of Cliff Booth, continuing the story from Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. He’s in high demand and can choose the projects he wants, so he doesn’t need Lucasfilm to revitalize his career or anything. He’s in a really good position to maintain his artistic vision.

Earlier this year, Kathleen Kennedy, the head of Lucasfilm, described a new plan for Star Wars films, focusing on individual stories that aren’t necessarily tied to existing ones. She wants to give directors more freedom to tell the stories they’re passionate about. If Lucasfilm continues with this approach, it could open the door for a director like David Fincher to join the franchise. He might be able to create a film set in a completely different time period than other Star Wars content, allowing him full creative control. As Star Wars prepares to return to the big screen after a break, having a unique and talented director like Fincher involved would be a great way to get fans excited about what’s next.

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2025-10-23 17:40