Vulture reports that director director Zack Snyder (300, the forthcoming Man of Steel) is developing a Star Wars project for Lucasfilm that will be “parallel to the next trilogy.”
It will be an as-yet-untitled Jedi epic loosely based on Akira Kurosawa’s 1954 classic Seven Samurai, with the ronin and katana being replaced by the Force-wielding knights and their iconic lightsabers.
Within hours, Snyder’s representative denied the rumors to The Hollywood Reporter. “While he is super flattered because he is a huge fan, Zack is not involved in any way with the new Star Wars. He is currently in post on his two films, Man of Steel and 300: Battle of Artemisia.”
Vulture is standing by their report, claiming their source says Snyder had met with Lucasfilm. They say the denial has to do with studio politics regarding the possibility of a Man of Steel sequel.
Meanwhile, Variety’s Jeff Sneider tweeted:
No clue how REAL the Zack Snyder – Star Wars offshoot rumors are but I GUARANTEE he met with Kathy Kennedy to pitch her that Seven Jedi idea
— Jeff Sneider (@TheInSneider) January 15, 2013
Alrighty then.
I admit I rather hope the denial stays the status quo… Snyder’s made some decent action flicks, but he’s not someone I’m salivating to see take on Star Wars.
This isn’t the first rumor regarding possible side projects. Still unconfirmed are the reports of a Kasdan/Kinberg project, which was also described as being “separate” from the new episodes.
Possibly the TV series?
PS I really despise Snyder. He can’t make a good movie and I’m not even sure he even knows what cinema is. He shouldn’t be let near the wars.
Didn’t The Clone Wars already do this?
Could be an interesting development if ti’s true. I think Snyder is a technically competent film-maker with a good eye for visuals…but he’s not much of a storyteller. Coupled with a good script and a steady, guiding hand on Lucasfilm’s side of things, this could be a wonderful opportunity to pay some more tribute to the director and type of film that so very much informed the original Star Wars.
Snyder says it isn’t true:
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/zack-snyder-shoots-down-report-412336
However, everyone I know, including some people that are on the inside of things, say otherwise. I’m really confused.
Well, given that the denial is the ONLY thing coming from anyone remotely official…
I’m not that connected but a person I know who has been good for many years on confirmation and small things here and there stands by this. I guess we will have to wait and see.