It has been a couple of weeks since Disney bought LucasFilm and announced that there was to be a new STAR WARS trilogy and now the initial shock and anger has finally started to subside in favour of some good old fashioned speculation.

As previously reported, Oscar winning script writer Michael Arndt (TOY STORY 3) has been confirmed as screenwriter, with George Lucas providing the outline for the new trilogy and staying on as a creative consultant. Now production on EPISODE VII is gradually picking up momentum we can probably expect a confirmation on who will be filling the director’s chair in the next couple of weeks.

While rumours still surround fan favourites Brad Bird and Matthew Vaughn (who recently walked away from X-MEN: FIRST CLASS sequel DAYS OF FUTURE PAST) other rumoured directors Quentin Tarantino, Guillermo del Toro and Steven Spielberg have addressed the speculation of them picking up directing duties and took themselves out of the running.

In response to Entertainment Weekly recently asking if he would be interested in directing EPISODE VII, Quentin Tarantino responded; “I could so care less” adding; “Especially if Disney’s going to do it. I’m not interested in a Simon West version of STAR WARS!”

Steven Spielberg told Access Hollywood; “No! No! It’s not my genre. It’s my best friend George’s genre.”

HELLBOY director Guillermo del Toro addressed rumours of him taking the job, telling Fanhattan that he hasn’t formerly been approached. He went on to say; “I heard some rumblings, but to me it’s really – I have so many projects to discuss or think about. For something that is not a possibility yet, I don’t do that. You know, because I have so many things that I need to catch up with. If this becomes ever a reality, and there’s an approach to do it, I would then think about it, but – it’s like thinking if I want to date a supermodel. I don’t think about these things.”

Now news comes from Kathleen Kennedy’s husband and regular producing partner, Frank Marshall that the director’s shortlist is down to two names, hinting that both names are directors he and Kennedy have worked with before. One of those names is rumoured to be JURASSIC PARK 3 director Joe Johnston.

Although maybe not the most obvious choice, there is logic in the Johnston rumour, especially when you look at CAPTAIN AMERICA and even his directorial debut THE ROCKETEER. It was only last year that Johnston declared an interest in developing and directing a STAR WARS film centred on bounty hunter Boba Fett.

While it’s unlikely that this is what EPISODE VII will turn out to be, with Disney’s plan to make stand alone films as well as the new trilogy, a Boba Fett film by Johnston could become a reality, even if he doesn’t end up getting the VII job.

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