### Denis Villeneuve Shuns "Star Wars" Direction, Focuses on Expanding "Dune" Universe

Denis Villeneuve, an acclaimed director known for his work on the "Dune" series, has revealed that he has no interest in directing a "Star Wars" movie, despite his childhood fascination with the original series. Speaking on "The Town" podcast, Villeneuve explained that his dream to tackle the legendary franchise ended with the release of "Return of the Jedi" in 1983.

As a child, Villeneuve was captivated by George Lucas' original "Star Wars" film and eagerly anticipated "The Empire Strikes Back," which left a lasting impact on him. "I was 10 years old when 'Star Wars' hit me like a silver bullet," Villeneuve recalled. "'The Empire Strikes Back' is the movie that I anticipated the most in my life. I saw it a billion times onscreen and was completely traumatized by it. I adore 'Star Wars.'"

However, Villeneuve expressed his disenchantment with the direction the franchise took with "Return of the Jedi." He and his best friend, who were 15 at the time, were so disillusioned by the film that they even contemplated traveling to Los Angeles to confront George Lucas. "Still today, the Ewoks. It turned out to be a comedy for kids," he stated, criticizing the shift in tone. The director believes that the franchise became overly formulaic and predictable after the 1983 release.

Villeneuve's disinterest in directing a "Star Wars" film extends to another iconic space series. When asked about possibly taking on "Star Trek," he simply stated, "I'm not a Trekkie." Despite distancing himself from these celebrated franchises, Villeneuve's work within the space genre remains highly regarded, particularly with his recent success with "Dune."

Currently, Villeneuve is working on developing a third film in the "Dune" series, based on Frank Herbert's second novel, "Dune Messiah." Set 12 years after the events of the first book, this adaptation will require the aging of the young cast, including Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, and Florence Pugh. Though the director has indicated he knows how to handle this challenge, he has not disclosed the specifics of his plan.