# Ben Affleck Turned Down Star Wars Directing

> Ben Affleck declined directing Star Wars: The Force Awakens, saying he lacked passion for the franchise.
- Title: Ben Affleck Turned Down Star Wars Directing · SlashFilm
- Summary: Ben Affleck declined directing Star Wars: The Force Awakens, saying he lacked passion for the franchise. Ben Affleck turned down directing Star Wars: The…
- Keywords: ben affleck, star wars, the force awakens, lucasfilm, j.j. abrams, directing, star wars franchise, entertainment, culture, Ben, Affleck, Turned
- Source: SlashFilm — https://slashfilm.com/2284725/why-ben-affleck-turned-down-directing-star-wars-the-force-awakens
- Author: Jeremy Smith
- Published: 2026-10-12T21:26:17+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: ben affleck, star wars, the force awakens, lucasfilm, j.j. abrams, directing, star wars franchise, entertainment, culture
## 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.
## Key takeaway

Ben Affleck turned down directing Star Wars: The Force Awakens because he felt others had more passion for the franchise.