From SlashFilm · Jeremy Smith · · 1m
Ben Affleck Turned Down Star Wars Directing
Ben Affleck declined directing Star Wars: The Force Awakens, saying he lacked passion for the franchise.
In brief
Ben Affleck declined directing Star Wars: The Force Awakens, saying he lacked passion for the franchise. Ben Affleck turned down directing Star Wars: The Force Awakens because he felt others had more passion for the franchise. Originally reported by SlashFilm.
Ben Affleck's Star Wars Interest
Ben Affleck was approached by Lucasfilm to direct Star Wars: The Force Awakens but declined.
“They came to me and asked me, 'Are you interested in this?'”
Affleck's Reason for Declining
Affleck said he lacked the passion to direct Star Wars compared to others who had more enthusiasm for the franchise.
“I just think someone else who has more passion for this is going to do a better job.”
Affleck's Rationale
Affleck felt Star Wars had a strong fan base with toxic opinions that he wasn't equipped to handle.
“Some have done really well, and you've got this whole fan base that's got its own very strong opinions.”
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Star Wars: The Force Awakens was released in 2015 after Ben Affleck turned down directing.
Current Star Wars Director
J.J. Abrams directed Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which was released in 2015.
The bottom line
Ben Affleck turned down directing Star Wars: The Force Awakens because he felt others had more passion for the franchise.
