SPECULATION Number 9... Number 9... Number 9... Number IX

LF asked him to do EPIX but he rejected the offer. So, they come up with JJ.

Hopefully JJ has an original idea and hopefully Rian is helping him out too.

 

Rian has definitely created an amazing story, but Colin's departure was due to him attempting to make his own canon. J.J's story was added to by Rian, but he never attempted to change it to suit his own views.

KK wanted Rian for IX, but he turned it down, so the offer went to J.J. It was a safe choice. He would not be tired like Rian, or stubborn like Colin. It was his story and he would know it best. He was also involved in VIII, and knows the plot.

J.J is aware of how similar TFA was to the OT and said he would have done other things if he cold have, so I am pretty sure IX will be very different.

 

I heard a quote somewhere from JJ, not sure of the source so take it with a grain of salt, he basically said something to the affect of "The script is amazing, I wish I had written it." in regards to TLJ. I don't have a doubt in my mind that TLJ probably lit a creative fire in the guy, it must be great. *knocks on wood*

 

I've said it elsewhere, but JJ's dependence on his mystery box film philosophy is what I think people are referring to specifically when they think he is the wrong choice for IX, but that's exactly what you need a director to do when making a firm foundation for an ongoing story. We went into TFA with a lot less questions than we came out with, but that is exactly what that film should have done.

However, of course, closing out a trilogy is entirely different (unless knowledge of the next trilogy being green lit is made evident to JJ prior to the production of IX) and I think he will rarely have to open his mystery box, especially with RJ being the one who'll be answering a lot of questions in VIII.

My only hope is that, behind the scenes, RJ has written a treatment for IX from which JJ is free to pick and choose the best parts as I have very little faith in co-writer Chris Terrio (Oscar winner though he may be, BvS didn't exactly set the world on fire in any way at all, let alone the script) right now (of course, I hope Justice League and November will change this).

 

Episode VIII is probably a winner, and J.J. regrets not having filmed it, he was also suprised by the overwhelmingly positive reception (critical and fan) of TFA. The new trilogy is still a bit his baby. He knows the old adagium is always true: glory is fleeting but obscurity lasts forever.

 

Although Chris Terrio initially wrote a script for JL, I think that most of his work was scrapped and replaced with what Joss Whedon has written for the reshoots.

 

Then I'd argue that this instills me with even less faith in Chris Terrio's current writing capabilities

 

I'm pretty sure it's his work for Argo that got him the job for IX.

 

The part that worries me is that I think you're right, and it's concerning that he hasn't done much since then, and absolutely nothing that can be compared to Star Wars' style, let alone get close to that quality.

It's one of my biggest problems with the entertainment industry in a nutshell (so not just in film): individuals/groups being held in utmost esteem based purely on one great success and getting handpicked for the top jobs despite having underperformed for a number of years.

 

It has been quite a few years. I am hoping the movies themselves were just poorly directed and SW can be the new Argo.

 

I could be totally wrong, but I have a feeling the EPIX news that's been coming out this past week is not directly related to any issues with EPVIII.

For all we know, Johnson may have just thought Abrams was the better pick to finish this trilogy. Or perhaps he's already making plans for after TLJ.

I get that it may seem like a Star Wars film should be every director's dream, but I imagine that while Johnson probably had a good time with TLJ, he's probably looking forward to some more freedom in upcoming projects, too.

 

Doing such a major movie could give RJ the leverage he needs to spark interest in some passion project that would otherwise be hard to get off the ground. One for them, one for you. Plus, he simply might not want to devote another two years of his life to Star Wars: you need to do what inspires you.

 

It wasn't was like"Yeah, uh, Rian wouldn't do, so help us JJ Wan Abramkenobi you're our only hope."

Since JJ was producing TLJ he knew every facet of Rian's story, but more than that they have obvious faith in him and he's free from anything else apparently. JJ even said quite awhile back that he's jump at the chance to do another one.

 

I think RJ will produce a great movie. Esp if you have the cast of characters saying it is different and not what they expected. GIven what happened with Colin and with what the actors have said, even though It is different, it is in line with what LFL wanted.. IF not RJ would have been let go also.

I don't think it's anything negative by RJ turning down IX. GL comment the trilogies took up 10 years of his life to do and it was his baby. I can see an individual director being honored to direct one but needing a break after. JJ has had a break and is fresh but very knowledgable about VII.

 

I was personally calling for RJ to return, but JJ may ultimately be the best choice. If I had any reservations about him doing a SW film, TFA assuaged them; it was exactly what I was hoping for. In my eyes, TFA recaptured the "feel" of SW. He's enthusiastic, and I'm anxious to see what he comes up with for IX. He certainly deserves (at least IMHO) the benefit of the doubt this time around.

 

I agree with @MarsPhoenix that the behind the scenes turmoil we've seen on IX and Han Solo is reason to be feel good about RJ's handling of TLJ. Kathy Kennedy is obviously pretty confident in RJ's vision and what he's created. She's referred to him as one of the greats.

I understand why somebody might question her recent decision-making, but I love Kennedy's commitment to a quality cinematic experience for the rest of us. She believes in this enough that she's willing to risk triggering a crisis of confidence in her leadership in order to stay true to the vision. This is a person who's not afraid to admit when she's made a bad decision (in choosing talent) and do something about it.

I bet she's as aware of JJ's limitations (and strengths!) and TFA's faults (and brilliance!) as the rest of us, but feels that the narrative RJ built off of JJ's very loose foundation is strong enough to mitigate JJ's storytelling weaknesses and really bring out the best in him.